Khabib Nurmagomedov claims Charles Oliveira ‘will not show up in Abu Dhabi,’ UFC will make Makhachev vs. Dariush fight
Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t believe Charles Oliveira will actually show up in Abu Dhabi.
In the main event of UFC 280 on October 22, Oliveira is set to face Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight title. Although it is the vacant belt, many still view the Brazilian as the champ as he missed weight by 0.5lbs last time out, however, many fighters have claimed the scale was off.
Although Oliveira looking to reclaim his belt, Nurmagomedov is worried the Brazilian will even go to Abu Dhabi and fight Makhachev, instead, he thinks the lightweight title fight will be between Makhachev and Beneil Dariush.
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
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 16, 2022
“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,” Nurmagomedov tweeted.
Even though Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks Charles Oliveira won’t show up to Abu Dhabi, it seems highly unlikely. The Brazilian has said he was frustrated the fight is there instead of Brazil in January, yet he said he wanted to defeat Makhachev in a place they will be cheering for the Dagestani native. Dariush, meanwhile, is set to fight Mateusz Gamrot on the main card of UFC 280.
Charles Oliveira (33-8 and one No Contest) hasn’t lost since 2017 and has since won 11 straight fights and coming off a submission win over Justin Gaethje back in May. Prior to that, he scored a submission win over Dustin Poirier to defend his belt for the first time after winning the vacant belt by knocking out Michael Chandler.
Islam Makhachev (22-1) is riding a 10-fight winning streak and hasn’t lost since 2015. He’s coming off a TKO win over Bobby Green while before that, he submitted Dan Hooker, submitted Thiago Moises, and submitted Drew Dober. He is the protegee of Nurmagomedov and will be looking to become the new lightweight champ on October 22 in Abu Dhabi.
