Islam Makhachev finds it laughable that UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is willing to give Conor McGregor a title shot but not him.
In a recent interview with Ag Fight (h/t Brazilian MMA Legend), Oliveira (32-8 MMA, 20-8 UFC) stated that Makhachev needs to face a top-five opponent before earning a title shot and that he’d need one or two more fights to make it happen.
Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC), who’s on a 10-fight winning streak, was scheduled to face Beneil Dariush at UFC Fight Night 202 in February but wound up facing Bobby Green when Dariush withdrew due to an ankle injury. Makhachev ran through Green in Round 1.
So Oliveira says I’m not deserved fight for a title, indeed he’s begging for a fight with Conor who hasn’t win a fight since 2015 lol
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 5, 2022
“So Oliveira says I’m not deserved fight for a title, indeed he’s begging for a fight with Conor who hasn’t win a fight since 2015 lol.”
Makhachev is referring to when Oliveira stated this past December, after submitting Dustin Poirier, that he’d be willing to give McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) a title shot in May, despite the former UFC dual champion coming off back-to-back losses and having just one win at 155 pounds in the UFC.
As for Oliveira criticizing him for his opposition, this is what Makhachev had to say.
And here’s the list of my top 5 opponents ., guess who pulled out most?
pic.twitter.com/mKubuml2lR
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 5, 2022
“And here’s the list of my top 5 opponents ., guess who pulled out most?
.”
Makhachev might end up having to notch at least one more win before earning a title shot after UFC president Dana White said that his fight with Dariush will have to get rebooked. White accused Makhachev of turning down a short-notice bout against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 272, which he initially offered to take. Though Makhachev’s side of the story was a little unclear, he shrugged off White’s claim.
If Makhachev gets the chance to face Oliveira, he’s confident that he’d finish him, just like he has his past four opponents.
I will submit Oliveira inside 3rd., screen it https://t.co/LH5W56si1n
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 5, 2022
“I will submit Oliveira inside 3rd., screen it.”
But first, Oliveira will have to get past Justin Gaethje when the pair square off in Saturday’s UFC 274 main event, which takes place at Footprint Center in Phoenix. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.