Islam Makhachev slams Charles Oliveira for being ‘scared to fight’ him

Islam Makhachev has hit out at Charles Oliveira for chasing supposedly easier fights than him against Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz. 

Makhachev has won his last 10 and is the obvious choice to compete with the Brazilian for the vacant lightweight title. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege could be a nightmare match-up with his sensational grappling ability and he believes this is why Oliveira appears to be avoiding him. 

Oliveira, who was stripped of his belt for missing weight before submitting Justin Gaethje on Saturday night, mentioned McGregor by name in his post-fight interview. 

He also tweeted: ‘Just for the record, I like to break records and I want to break another one… Fighting twice in same night. I can knock Conor out, and make Dias tap. What do you think?’

Makhachev replied: ‘It’s funny you calling out Nate who hasn’t won a fight in years and same time saying I have to earn something… just say it straight that you scared to lose, your jiu-jitsu won’t work in our fight and you know that.’

Makhachev beat Bobby Green back in February after his scheduled opponent Beneil Dariush pulled out injured. 

Dangerous Russian Islam Makhachev is the obvious next competitor for Oliveira to face 

The UFC planned to remake that fight but now it seems Makhachev is the obvious next opponent to face Oliveira. 

‘Do Bronx’, however, thinks the Russian still needs one more fight before that happens. 

He told MMA Fighting: ‘I think the reality is, Makhachev has to fight Dariush first.

‘They both have to fight and then we’ll see who we’re fighting or not. Makhachev is super tough and deserves all the respect in the world. Dariush is also super tough and has a great team. 

Nate Diaz (left) and Conor McGregor were called out by Oliveira on social media  

‘It will be a great fight, so let them fight first and see what will happen down the line. Like I said, my focus now is going home and getting some rest, and my team will see who we’re fighting. 

‘I’ve never ran from a fight and never will. I’ll be there and I’ll be ready [to fight] whoever they put in there with me.’

‘Everyone I beat, I’ve made it pretty clear. I never let it go the distance, I always finish them. Makhachev and Dariush are the two guys I haven’t fought yet and they both have to make this fight happen. 

‘Maybe [the next contender] comes from this fight. The thing is, it makes no difference to me. I’ll be ready. The champion’s name is Charles Oliveira.’

Oliveira wants to take a fight back to Brazil and attempt to win his belt again 

He went on to add: ‘I’ve asked to fight in December [in Brazil]. I deserve this. The Brazilian people deserve this.

‘We deserve this, for this fight to be in Brazil. If it’s Sao Paulo, that’s 100 percent. But I would really like this fight to be in Brazil.’

McGregor is unlikely to fight again until next year, according to reports, while Diaz is desperate to see out his UFC contract and has grown frustrated at the reluctance to match him up.