Islam Makhachev Confident He Can Make Charles Oliveira ‘Give Up’ in Title Bout

Islam Makhachev expects Charles Oliveira to retain his lightweight crown when he defends the belt against Justin Gaethje in the UFC 274 headliner this May.

“I think it’s going to be a good fight because those guys are high level,” Makhachev said at the UFC Fight Night 202 post-fight press conference. “Charles improved his striking game and he have more than Justin in the ground game. I think they going to strike a little bit, then Charles is going to take him down, take his back and finish him there. Like third round or second round.”

If that happens, Makhachev is confident that he has compiled the resume necessary to be next line to face “Do Bronx.” The American Kickboxing Academy product secured his 10th straight victory on Saturday, running through short-notice opponent Bobby Green in Saturday’s main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Makhachev has finished his last four opponents, adding Green to a list that also includes Dan Hooker, Thiago Moises and Drew Dober.

“I told you guys a couple days ago, this guy is not my level and I’m going to show you my level,” Makhachev said. “11 months, I finish four guys and I deserve [a title shot].”

If Oliveira does defeat Gaethje, it will be the Brazilian’s 11th consecutive triumph. Despite that, count Makhachev among the doubters who questions Oliveira’s heart if the fight goes into deep waters.

“I think it’s going to be good match because this guy’s good in the striking and grappling and wrestling. I’m going to make him tired, pressure him, and make him give up,” Makhachev said. “Because this guy, I know like when somebody go with him three or four rounds and give him hard punch and hard time, and he can finish some people with choke. But when he do not do this, he give up all the time. But I have grappling skills more than him. He going to try to finish me on the ground, but it’s going to be so hard for him.”

While he would be willing to step into a title fight as a short-notice replacement, it’s not his first choice. In an ideal world, Makhachev would get to challenge for 155-pound gold in Abu Dhabi.

“Next week I’m ready for fight. Next pay-per-view show. But I deserve a little bit of notice,” he said. “I want to fight in Abu Dhabi. I have many of my friends, my family, my friends who stay outside because they cannot come to Apex. I want to fight for the title in Abu Dhabi when all my fans can support me.”