Charles
Oliveira’s 11-fight win streak came to end with a lopsided
title loss to Islam
Makhachev at UFC 280 last year.
Advertisement
Oliveira looked completely outclassed by the Dagestani and even
admitted to refusing an immediate rematch. Having since bounced
back with a technical knockout win over Beneil
Dariush, “Do Bronx” will look to reclaim his title exactly a
year later in the rematch against Makhachev at UFC 294.
Makhachev’s long-time training partner, Usman
Nurmagomedov, believes the
UFC 294 lightweight title rematch will play out exactly like
the first outing. While he does acknowledge the unpredictable
nature of the sport, Nurmagomedov doubts Oliveira has anything new
to offer to his teammate.
“I think it’s going to be the same thing,” Nurmagomedov recently
told ESPN. “Of
course,Charles Oliveira – maybe he’s going to fix some mistakes.
This is a fight. Something can happen. But I know Islam is training
very hard. He’s very smart. He can wrestle, strike and grapple,
too. I don’t think Charles Oliveira can give him some hard
situation.”
Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov will defend his own lightweight strap
against former champ Brent
Primus at Bellator 300 on Oct. 7 at Pechanga Arena in San
Diego.