Former UFC lightweight champions Charles Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and No. 4 ranked Islam Makhachev. Photo via USA Today Sports
Khabib Nurmagomedov recently came with a mystic and cryptic prediction ahead of the lightweight title bout between his protoge Islam Makhachev and former champion Charles Oliveira.
“I just think Charles Oliveira will not show up in Abu Dhabi and the UFC will replace Charles with Beneil Dariush. Regardless of who the opponent will be, Makhachev is on his way to becoming the best in the world,” Khabib wrote.
One can only speculate if this is an attempt to create buzz around Makhachev, or a hint that Khabib know’s something’s up with “Do Bronx”. However, Oliveira has admitted that he rather wanted to test his wings against Conor McGregor than a fight with Makhachev.
I just think Charles Oliveira will not show up in Abu Dhabi and the UFC will replace Charles with Beneil Dariush.
Regardless of who the opponent will be, @MAKHACHEVMMA is on his way to becoming the best in the world #ufc280
Top ranked lightweight Beneil Dariush, who also fights on the UFC 20 card, recently claimed that he’s promised to fight for the lightweight title, if something happens to Charles Oliveira or Islam Makhachev. The American will weigh in at championship weight at 155 pounds.
“That’s what Ali told me, I was the backup for this,” Dariush told MMA Fighting. “If something goes wrong, they would put me in.”