Khabib Nurmagomedov Pushes for Oliveira vs. Makhachev, UFC Boss Not as Certain

One thing is certain: Charles Oliveira will be one half of the next UFC lightweight title bout.

“Do Bronx” earned that right when he submitted Justin Gaethje in the opening round of the UFC 274 headliner after being stripped of the belt due to missing weight one day prior. What’s still up in the air is who Oliveira will face, along with the date and venue.

Shortly after Oliveira’s triumph, ex-lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov lobbied for training partner Islam Makhachev to receive the next shot. Makhachev has won 10 consecutive fights at 155 pounds in the Las Vegas-based promotion and is coming off a first-round stoppage of Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night 202.

“Is there really a more interesting [fight] in the UFC at the moment than Islam vs. Charles?” Nurmagomedov wrote on Twitter. “Just bring these fighters to Abu Dhabi on Oct. 22. Let the undisputed champion be determined.”

Dana White wouldn’t commit to Oliveira vs. Makhachev at the UFC 274 post-fight press conference, however. The UFC president still has interest in having Makhachev square off against fellow contender Beneil Dariush after that bout fell through in February due to a Dariush injury. Dariush has won seven consecutive outings at lightweight in the UFC.

“Who doesn’t think Dariush and Islam is a great fight? It’s a f—ing killer fight,” White said. “I would love to see that fight to see who the No. 1 contender is, but I’m not gonna lie, after tonight I wouldn’t mind doing Islam vs. Oliveira, either. We’ll see what happens.”

While he is undoubtedly biased, Nurmagomed sees no need for Makhachev to prove himself as the No. 1 contender.

“Why [should Makhachev have] to do a contender fight, if there’s no champion in this division?” Nurmagomedov wrote.

Why @MAKHACHEVMMA has to do contender fight, if there’s no champion in this division @ufc @danawhite

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 8, 2022