Islam Makhachev is confused by Charles Oliveira’s recent comments.

UFC 294 is right around the corner as the worldwide MMA leader will return to Abu Dhabi, UAE next month. Headlining the “Fight Island” card will once again be a lightweight title tilt as the reigning champion Makhachev is set to defend against the former king Oliveira.

Makhachev first defeated Oliveira in Abu Dhabi to become the champion almost one full year to the day come UFC 294 on Oct. 21. The dominant Dagestani needed only two rounds to get the job done, submitting the promotional record-holder for submissions with an arm-triangle choke. The pair were proposed an instant rematch in Oliveira’s home of Brazil at UFC 293 this past January, according to Oliveira. However, “Do Bronx” ultimately declined the opportunity, feeling he wasn’t yet ready to rematch his successor. Instead, Makhachev defended on enemy territory in Australia against the featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 in February and walked away the winner by unanimous decision.

Oliveira rebounded with a nice first-round knockout of Beneil Dariush in June, leading him back to Abu Dhabi for a rematch with Makhachev. Location-wise, Oliveira shared last week that he wishes the playing field was a bit more even.

“[I] don’t necessarily think it’s fair, but it’s the game,” Oliveira told James Lynch. “You know, that’s where the champion is. He calls the shots, but I’m coming back for my belt.”

Catching wind of the comment, Makhachev didn’t quite understand and revealed he’d been jockeying for a fight sooner than what he wound up with.

“Charles, I asked to fight in U.S. in the summer, but UFC has other plans,” Makhachev tweeted. “I am a UFC fighter like you, never set the conditions for the UFC and fought where they offered, my last fight took place in Australia at the challenger’s backyard, simple, everything you say makes no sense.”

Makhachev has fought three times in Abu Dhabi throughout his 25-fight career (24-1), winning all three against the likes of Oliveira, Dan Hooker, and Davi Ramos. While Makhachev doesn’t hail from the country, it’s become somewhat of a fan-favorite territory for the Khabib Nurmagomedov protege.

A win for Oliveira would make him the first two-time lightweight champion in UFC history, redeeming his only defeat in his previous 14 fights.

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Camaraderie. Cain Velasquez granted permission by courts to corner teammate Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 300

Debate. Joe Rogan praises Alexander Volkanovski as MMA’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter: ‘He won’ against Islam Makhachev

Cancelation. Ryan Bader vs. Linton Vassell 2 off of Bellator 300

VIDEO STEW

The MMA Hour.

UFC Vegas 80 promo and preview.

Free fight.

Cyborg’s Bellator highlight-reel.

Rapid Rounds: Ducote vs. Morandin.

Backside bodylocks.

MORNING MUSIC

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Sean thoughts.

The alts.

Showtime…

Golden boys.

Yeah, hard pass.

He must be stopped.

Kicks only.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chris Gutierrez (19-4-2) vs. Alatengheili (16-8-2); UFC Vegas 81, Oct. 14

Kauê Fernandes (8-1) vs. Marc Diakiese (16-7); UFC Sao Paulo, Nov. 4

Adrian Bartosiński (14-0) vs. Salahdine Parnasse (18-1); KSW 89, Dec. 16

FINAL THOUGHTS

Unless you have a matchup like Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan staring you in the soul with a blatantly obvious location, does a fight being held somewhere really ever “make sense”?

Thanks for reading!

EXIT POLL

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Author: Staff

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