Russian UFC fighter Islam Makhachev believes that defeating Charles Oliveira in a fight for the vacant lightweight title will solve his problem with the division's top fighters avoiding him.
"My whole career I've had one problem. All these top fighters have been avoiding me for years. But it's not my fault, I just fight against whoever they give me. I don't pick my opponents. And now my problem will be solved. I'm going to be a champion, and they're going to call me a champion. I've dealt with that throughout my career. I've challenged Chandler, Porter, Gaethje, all those guys. But they wouldn't give me an answer," Makhachev said in an interview with Shak MMA.
Oliveira had his last fight against American Justin Gathje this May at UFC 274. We must recall that the day before the tournament, Oliveira was stripped of the title because of a failed weigh-in. The Brazilian won this fight by submission in the first round.
Makhachev made his last appearance in the Octagon against American Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 49 in February of this year. That fight ended in favor of the Russian athlete by a technical knockout in the first round.