Khabib Nurmagomedov insists he won't make a UFC return even if protege Islam Makhachev loses to Charles Oliveira.
The now-retired UFC legend has been pushing for Makhachev to fight Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title next. Oliveira was stripped of his 155lb title despite submitting Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 after he missed weight before the fight.
Makhachev was scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush in February, but Dariush pulled out of the fight with an injury. Oliveira wants to see that fight rescheduled to decide his challenger for the vacant title, but Nurmagomedov thinks Makhachev already deserves a shot at the belt.
"If he [Oliveira] beats Islam, of course I'm going to feel bad. Of course I'm going to feel bad, but there's no way people can talk about, 'How you're going to come back?' Please leave me alone, let these guys fight," he told ESPN MMA.
Who wins - Charles Oliveira or Islam Makhachev? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
"This is different time, different fighters now, they're prime time and we have to understand who's the best lightweight in the world right now between Charles and Islam."
Makhachev has accused Oliveira of "ducking him" after the Brazilian challenged Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz to fight in the same night. The Russian has suggested UFC 281 in Abu Dhabi as a potential date for his vacant title with Oliviera. Oliveira's coach has stated he wants to see 'Do Bronx' earn his belt back in Brazil, with Nurmagomedov stating the UFC is targeting a "big show" in the country this December.
Nurmagomedov said he wouldn't know how to feel if Makhachev is beaten because of his dominance in the octagon. The 30-year-old suffered his only loss seven years ago at UFC 192, being knocked out by Adriano Martins in under two minutes.
"I don't know how I'm going to feel if someone beats Islam, because this is an emotional moment," Nurmagomedov admitted. "We've been doing these things together for like 20 years, I haven't seen many people beat Islam. Maybe MMA, he had more than 300 amateur fights, I've not seen many people beat him.
"With Charles Oliveira, I don't think he can do something with Islam on the ground. Islam is good in stand-up too, last couple of years people don't even touch him. Islam dominated all of them and last 11 months he's finished four opponents. This is going to be fair if Islam fights Charles for the vacant title."
