Islam Makhachev fears Charles Oliveira will purposely avoid a fight with him and try to fight Conor Mcgregor or Nate Diaz instead.
Makhachev has been pushing for his shot at the vacant UFC lightweight title against Oliviera since the Brazilian was stripped of his belt earlier this month. Oliveira missed weight for his title defence against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274, meaning he lost his belt despite winning by first-round submission.
Since his recent win, Oliveira has told UFC boss Dana White he can knock out Diaz and submit McGregor in the same night - and Makhachev thinks Oliveira will fight one of the two in September. "I know Nate Diaz or Conor will say let's do it in September," he told ESPN. "He [Oliveira] is gonna fight in September too. He just run, you know.