UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks Charles Oliveira will withdraw from his upcoming title fight against Islam Makhachev.
Oliveira, 32, looks to reclaim his lightweight title at UFC 280 on October 22 against Nurmagomedov's protege Makhachev when the pair meet in Abu Dhabi. The Brazilian was supposed to be making the third defence of the lightweight belt at the upcoming event, but he was stripped of the title after missing weight for his UFC 274 clash against Justin Gaethje in May, which he went on to win by first-round submission.
Nurmagomedov has a feeling that for whatever reason, Oliveira will pull out of UFC 280 to be replaced by Beneil Dariush. "I just think Charles Oliveira will not show up in Abu Dhabi and the UFC will replace Charles with Beneil Dariush," he tweeted. "Regardless of who the opponent will be, Islam Makhachev is on his way to becoming the best in the world." Dariush pulled out of his scheduled fight against Makhachev in February due to an ankle injury.