Former UFC champion Charles Oliveira looks to reclaim his belt against Islam Makhachev, who is storming through the 155lb division himself. Many questions have been asked of the two since the announcement of the bout: ‘Can Oliveira survive Islam’s wrestling?’ Or ‘Can Islam survive Oliveira’s Jiu Jitsu?’. All will be answered on Saturday, and one of them will be crowned lightweight king.
Similarly to the bantamweight belt, whoever wins on Saturday will already have their opponent named. Dana White confirmed that UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski would fight next for the lightweight belt. The champion is cage side on Saturday, serving as the backup for the lightweight fight.
Charles Oliveira
Charles, ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira, is on an 11-fight winning streak. After a sub-par beginning to his UFC career, the Brazilian has reinvented himself to become the most dangerous man on the roster. After Khabib Nurmagomedov left the UFC, there was a hole to be filled at the top of 155lbs. and to say Oliveira filled that spot would be an understatement. Oliveira KO’d Michael Chandler to gain the belt, submitted Dustin Poirrier to keep his belt, and did the same to Justin Gaethje in his last outing.
Having arguably the hardest first three fights a champion could have, he now faces Islam Makhachev. Oliveira may just be facing his hardest challenge yet.
‘Do Bronx’ lost his belt after a failed weight cut before his fight against Justin Gaethje. Therefore, he currently sits at number 1 in the lightweight rankings, with the belt technically vacant. Oliveira, having not seen defeat since 2017, will be determined to reclaim his title. Once again taking his seat on the throne of one of the most stacked divisions in the UFC.
Islam Makhachev
The protégé of none other than Khabib Nurmagomedov has been on a tear at lightweight. Beating names such as Arman Tsarukyan, Bobby Green, and Dan Hooker are on this way to the top. Makhachev has struggled to find bouts whilst trying to break into the top of the division. Not many want to take the risk of fighting him. However, if he wins the belt come Saturday, the lightweight division will only have his name in their mouths.
Makhachev is coming off two first-round wins over Bobby Green and Dan Hooker. The chance to showcase his skills against the best grappler in the UFC will be a big deal for Makhachev. Currently training at AKA (American Kickboxing Academy), Islam has many decorated grapplers, such as Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier, to help him prepare for this moment, one that he has waited for his whole career. Although Makhachev’s resume is not as decorated as Charles Oliveira, no one will doubt just how special this talent is.
Prediction: Grappling is a huge factor in this bout, but the power of Charles Oliveira cannot be understated. Charles Oliveira KO/TKO in round 2.
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