Charles Oliveira is uncertain if Islam Makhachev wants to bring their lightweight title fight to the ground in October.
Oliveira was stripped of his 155lb title earlier this year after failing to make weight for his defence against Justin Gaethje. The Brazilian submitted his rival in the opening round to put himself in position to fight for the vacant title. Rising star Makhachev has now been put forward as the challenger to the crown, with the meeting set for October on 'Fight Island'.
The Brazilian has recorded the most submissions in history but will likely face a stern examination of his wrestling credentials against Khabib Nurmagomedov's protege. Oliveira previously insisted he would be willing to start the fight from the floor in a duel that would likely be an intriguing spectacle.
“I’m going to his home, where they wanted the fight, where they think they will beat me,” Oliveira said on MMA Fighting's podcast Trocação Franca when assessing the contest. “I know I’m the biggest problem of this division. No one’s dumb, right? Every guy Islam fought was a striker and he took them down.
"And I went toe to toe with every guy I fought and only took them down to make things happen after I hurt them on the feet. Islam is fighting the worst problem of the division, Charles Oliveira. Want to start the fight on the ground? I’ll start playing guard. It won’t make any difference to me.
"Again, I’m telling everyone this, I’m the division’s biggest problem and you’re not understanding. I don’t care who it is and when it is. If you want to trade on the feet, come for it, I have firepower in my hands. If you want to take me down, do it.”
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Oliveira has now doubled down on his claim but is uncertain that Makhachev will be able to go toe-to-toe with his ground game. “Well, the ground is his turf," Oliveira added in the UFC 280 press conference. "So, he will definitely try to do that. But if he does, will he want to do and bring down the best submitter in the history of the UFC? I’m not sure. So, the name of the champion is well-known, and his name is Charles Oliveira.”
Makhachev has built up a minacious reputation for his skill on the ground having submitted 45 per cent of wins during his MMA career. The Russian star trains with friend Khabib Nurmagomedov who has guided his career along the way, and even pushed for his star to receive a title shot by contacting UFC president Dana White.
A win for Oliveira could see the Brazilian presented with a number of options including a potential challenge to Nurmagomedov who is currently retired. The former undefeated champion has previously suggested he will never lace up his gloves again on the wishes of his mother, but has been asked to come out of retirement by Oliveira.
