Charles Oliveira claimed that Nurmagomedov was at all times respectful throughout his preventing days however has now modified his tune
Former UFC light-weight king Charles Oliveira has criticized fellow 155lbs nice Khabib Nurmagomedov for speaking “crap” about him because the Russian pushes for a battle between the Brazilian and his cost Islam Makhachev.
Oliveira was stripped of the light-weight title on the scales earlier than UFC 274 final month however then turned the primary contender for the belt once more after beating Justin Gaethje through a first-round rear-naked choke submission.
Interviewed by BT Sport backstage at UFC 276 in Las Vegas on the weekend, Oliveira was requested for his ideas on Nurmagomedov’s legacy, which noticed him the Russian retire on 29-Zero after additionally submitting Gaethje in late 2020, plus the Dagestani’s current induction to the Corridor of Fame.
“He very a lot deserves to be within the Corridor of Fame,” stated Oliveira. “I simply assume that on the time when he was champion the man did not speak that a lot crap.
“And now he does, he says loads of issues. He retains saying I will lose to this one and that one. So I feel he ought to hold his mouth shut a bit extra and keep a bit quieter quite than speaking crap,” Oliveira prompt.
Advised by BT that they spoke to Nurmagomedov not too long ago and that he insisted he did not intend to “diss” the Brazilian and merely needs Makhachev to get his shot, Oliveira reiterated his level.
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“Like I’ve stated he is a man that deserves all of the respect on this planet. A man that spent his complete time preventing with out saying something. However he needs this battle a lot that he is speaking crap.
“I respect all of them. This battle will occur at one time or one other, however I do not assume it is the precise second. I do not assume he [Makhachev] deserves the battle instantly for the title and the champion’s identify is Charles Oliveira and I am right here,” the Sao Paulo state native harassed.
Probed on who his most well-liked opponent is, Oliveira acknowledged that he needs to get again and defend “my belt” and face a person he has already referred to as out in Conor McGregor.
“However we have now nothing made,” Oliveira admitted. “Crucial factor is that everybody is aware of that the champion is named Charles Oliveira,” he drove residence as soon as extra.
On going through Makhachev for the vacant strap if McGregor nonetheless is not prepared to come back again following a horror leg break suffered in opposition to Dustin Poirier final 12 months, Oliveira famous: “The UFC needs this. Islam Makhachev needs this. Khabib’s speaking quite a bit”.
“Like I say, if they need this battle a lot, make them to place some huge cash in my account. It isn’t there,” Oliveira concluded.
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Such is the will of Makhachev to tackle Oliveira for the championship, nevertheless, he has publicly acknowledged he’s ready to journey to Brazil if want be.
The Neo Quimica Area in Sao Paulo, which is residence to Oliveira’s favourite soccer workforce Corinthians and holds as much as 49,000 on matchday whereas having additionally hosted 2014 World Cup matches, has been touted as a attainable venue.
If the battle is made there, the stadium may rival the Area da Baixada in Curitiba because the record-holder for the very best attended UFC present in MMA-mad Brazil.
At UFC 198 in Might 2016, 45,207 spectators noticed Stipe Miocic knockout native favourite Fabricio Werdum to grow to be heavyweight champion for the primary time.
