Former opponents Charles
Oliveira and Islam
Makhachev have nothing but respect for each other.
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Makhachev ended Oliveira’s lightweight title reign with a dominant
submission win at UFC 280 in 2022. Oliveira earned an immediate
rematch with a knockout win over Beneil
Dariush but was forced out of the scheduled UFC 294 clash due a
cut suffered in sparring 12 days before fight night. The Brazilian
most recently lost a razor-thin split decision in a title
eliminator against Arman
Tsarukyan at UFC
300 in April.
Oliveira is now eyeing a move up to welterweight to fight Colby
Covington. Makhachev, who put his title on the line against
Dustin
Poirier at UFC 302
last weekend, was asked about a potential clash between Oliveira
and Covington. Makhachev believes Oliveira can finish Covington and
even invited “do Bronx” to train with him in Dagestan.
While Oliveira expressed gratitude for Makhachev’s invitation, the
Brazilian isn’t interested in training anywhere other than his
longtime gym,
Chute Boxe Diego Lima in Rio de Janeiro. Oliveira also
congratulated Makhachev on his “Fight of the Night” submission win
over Poirier at UFC 302.
“I’m grateful for Islam’s kindness in inviting me to train [with
him in Dagestan], but I am only part of Chute Boxe,” Oliveira told
BandSports (via La Sueur). “I have no intention of training
anywhere else. I’m happy with everything he said. He had a great
fight at UFC 302 and demonstrated that he is the champion.”