Charles Oliveira has chimed in as the debate surrounding Islam Makhachev’s major UFC career move continues to divide.
The MMA community was abuzz when Dana White announced Makhachev’s title vacation. The Dagestani is relinquishing the lightweight gold ahead of a move up to welterweight.
But as the champ gears up for a pursuit of the belt that Jack Della Maddalena beat Belal Muhammad to win at UFC 315, discussion about his reasoning for doing so is ongoing.
For Ilia Topuria, the man who was expected to next challenge the Russian, the reason is obvious. Topuria has branded Makhachev a coward, accusing him of ‘running away’ from their fight.
But that’s not the only theory floating around.
Charles Oliveira says Islam Makhachev’s division switch is because of his weight cut, not Ilia Topuria’s arrival
During a recent interview with Brazilian YouTube channel MMA TODAY, Oliveira provided his opinion on Makhachev’s decision to bid farewell to the lightweight division.
In contrast to those suggesting the Dagestani is ‘ducking’ Topuria, Oliveira’s experience witnessing his former opponent’s weight cuts make it easy for him to decipher the key factor.
“I see the weight cut as the reason,” Oliveira said in Brazilian Portuguese. “I saw this a couple of times already.
“I’ve been at the same event as him and seen his weight cut — it’s brutal. I saw how drained he was. I think it’s because he wants to be in better fight shape, and he decided to move up.
“I think he’ll be much stronger. He’s improving a lot on his feet, and his ground game is incredibly strong.”
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Islam Makhachev’s decision has resulted in Charles Oliveira getting a title shot
Had Makhachev not held two-division ambitions following his submission win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311, he likely would be gearing up to welcome Topuria back to lightweight.
Such a scenario might have left Oliveira out in the cold.
With how things have unfolded, Oliveira will fight Topuria for the vacant 155-pound gold in the main event of UFC 317 on June 28.
Without Makhachev’s move, the Brazilian may have required another win over a contender to receive the opportunity to regain the crown during International Fight Week.
Alas, the chips have fallen in favor of ‘Do Bronx’, and he’ll look to make the most of that good fortune with another standout performance to take back the title.
Oliveira most recently went the distance in a successful rematch with Michael Chandler, whom he also knocked out in 2022 to become lightweight champ for the first time.
The fan-favorite has been on a journey back towards the throne since having the title taken from him on the scales after a weight miss ahead of UFC 274.