Michael Bisping thinks Charles Oliveira has his hands full against Islam Makhachev.
Streaking lightweights Oliveira (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC) and Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) will square off for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 280 on Oct. 22. Despite the momentum on Oliveira’s side, Bisping says the Brazilian has to be very wary of Makhachev.
Oliveira’s title wins over Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje didn’t come without adversity. Oliveira was dropped in all three of those fights, but rallied to score finishes. However, when facing a tactical fighter like Makhachev, Bisping thinks Oliveira might end up paying if he lets his guard down.
“(Oliveira is) going to have to be careful,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “If he wants to be the champ, if he wants to win this one and go home with another shiny belt against Islam Makhachev, he’s going to have to be perfect because Islam doesn’t make mistakes. He’s on a 10-fight win streak.
“How many decisions? One, two – four decisions in there: six stoppages, four decisions. So that’s a tremendous win streak, but it’s the way that (Makhachev) does them. He goes out there, and he’s almost perfect in his approach.”
Bisping lauded Oliveira for his recent thrilling battles, but thinks that’s what may end up costing him.
“In my opinion, Charles Oliveira (is) the most exciting fighter on the UFC roster,” Bisping said. “He really is, because he almost gets finished in a lot of them and he’s got to be careful. You don’t want to get caught off Islam Makhachev because Islam Makhachev is very clinical. He doesn’t make mistakes.
“You could argue for Charles Oliveira that the reason he is so exciting is because he gets dropped, is because he finds himself in bad positions, and that’s never planned, but it makes for a fantastic fight. … But Oliveira doesn’t plan for those things – that’s your opponent having success.”
