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Islam Makhachev has admitted to changing his opinion on Charles Oliveira over time.
The former lightweight champion had a long journey before becoming a UFC champion. At one point, ‘do Bronx’ held a UFC record of 10-8 before bouncing back and winning eleven straight fights. Makhachev and Oliveira are set to collide this weekend in Abu Dhabi for the vacant lightweight title.
During the UFC 280 media day, Makhachev said about Oliveira’s evolution:
“Before, he have many loss, many hard fight, and I never thought that this guy [Oliveira] was gonna be champion. Right now, everything is changing. Now, last couple years, I follow his career.”
Oliveira missing weight at UFC 274 has left a dark shadow hanging over the division with a vacant title. The headliner of UFC 280 will determine the bonafide lightweight king. If either fighter, Makhachev or Oliveira, misses weight then Alexander Volkanovski will step in and save the main event.
Makhachev is nearly a 2-1 betting favorite. With that said, Oliveira has been the underdog in the past and has thrived. Between the Russian's dominance and the unpredictability of 'do Bronx,' anything can happen at Fight Island.
Watch Islam Makhachev discuss Charles Oliveira’s evolution at the UFC 280 media day below:
Charles Oliveira has mixed emotions about Islam Makhachev
Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev couldn’t get on the same page during the UFC 280 buildup. Oliveira claimed that the Dagestani and his team were underestimating him. There have also been some flak from fans about Makhachev not fighting a top 5 lightweight before getting the title shot.
During the UFC 280 media day, Oliveira addressed Makhachev’s lack of top 5 wins but also showed respect:
"I think Islam [Makhachev] deserves all the respect in the world. But I think he should have fought somebody in the top five like I did. Not just surf on someone else's wave, and skip the line like he did… For sure. This fight is only happening because of him [Khabib Nurmagomedov]."
Oliveira and Makhachev also briefly met face-to-face during fight week, exchanging a fist bump:
Watch Charles Oliveira discuss Islam Makhachev and more at the UFC 280 media day below:
