Charles Oliveira refused to rule out attempting to lure Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement should he regain his lightweight title later this year.
The Brazilian was stripped of his belt in May when he failed to make weight for his title defence against Justin Gaethje. But he will have the change to reclaim it when he takes on Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on October 22.
Makhachev is widely regarded as the heir to Nurmagomedov who retired in 2020 with an unblemished record and who is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time. And the Russian has been linked with a return to the cage - should his protege be beaten.
