UFC lightweight contender, Islam Makhachev intends on smothering former UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, on the ground in their lightweight title fight this weekend.
Makhachev spoke with reporters during Wednesday's media day for Saturday's UFC 280 event in Abu Dhabi ahead of his clash with Oliveira and explained why he wants to out-grapple the Brazilian star to show his ground game is on another level than the rest of the promotion's 155-pound division.
“Right now, he’s the champion," Makhachev said (h/t MMA Fighting). "Right now, he’s the best lightweight but I don’t think he’s the best. Right now, I know this is my moment. I believe even right now I am the best lightweight in the world. Nobody can stop my wrestling. I’m going to do my job. I’m going to do the same things always. Take them down, hold them, make them tired and finish them. This is my goal to finish him on the ground because I have to show all people my grappling level”
.@MAKHACHEVMMA ended his #UFC280 open workout with gold on his mind -- pic.twitter.com/8kyr4lDEEb
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 19, 2022
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