Khabib voices concern that Charles Oliveira won’t show up at UFC 280

Adam Miller

In preparation for the forthcoming lightweight championship bout between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev at UFC 280, Beneil Dariush has been added as a backup.

Khabib Nurmagomedov predicted that his protégé Makhachev will face Dariush. This is because Oliveira would not end up coming to Abu Dhabi.

Regardless of the challenger, Nurmagomedov is convinced Makhachev will win on October 22 at the Etihad Arena. In a recent tweet, Khabib stated:

“I just think Charles Oliveira will not show up in Abu Dhabi and the UFC will replace Charles with Beneil Dariush. Regardless of who the opponent will be, @MAKHACHEVMMA is on his way to becoming the best in the world #ufc280”

Alexander Volkanovski initially campaigned to get to be a back up for this bout.

Charles Oliveira has been open about his reluctance to come to Abu Dhabi, which is regarded as the Dagestani brigade’s home base.

Diego Lima, Oliveira’s coach, even said that Allan Nascimento was a victim of unfair judging in Abu Dhabi.

Islam Makhachev is in contention for the vacant lightweight belt. However, the Dagestani cannot compare to Charles Oliveira in terms of the toughness of the opponents they have faced.

Oliveira defeated the likes of Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. On the other hand, Dan Hooker and Bobby Green are the only notable names Makhachev defeated.

In a recent statement, the 30-year-old explained his strategy for finishing Oliveira by the third round.

Makhachev tweeted the following:

“First round warm up, second round drag him to deep water, third round get business done Inshallah. Can’t wait for Oct 22”

On the other hand, Oliveira made the prediction that the main event of UFC 280 won’t go past the first round.

Oliveira was stripped for 0.5lbs weight miss against Gaethje and is definitely in a lose lose situation.