Charles Oliveira and his wrestling coach Alireza Noei are preparing for Islam Makhachev’s wrestling.
In the UFC many times fan will see two top fighters pitted against each other to see whose style will reign supreme. Many times strikers will be matched with grapplers and BJJ champions will be mixed with boxing specialists. Each fighter may have their own strength and background but to be the best you must master all the different aspects of mixed martial arts. That is exactly what two of the best fighters at 155 pounds will be trying to do on Oct. 22 in Abu Dhabi.
There is a lightweight title fight on deck between former champion Charles Oliveira and rising star Islam Makhachev. The battle for the vacant title will headline the stacked UFC 280 event. So far in Makhachev’s career, he has been known as a wrestling standout. Coming up under the tutelage of MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev has been on a roll in the division. He has ten wins in a row and ten submission victories under his belt. He is very dangerous with his takedowns and on the mat. Coming into this bout, Oliveira is very aware of this and is preparing accordingly.
Wrestling coach to Charles Oliveira, Alireza Noeu explains how the wrestling training has been going
“Thing is that Charles, when it comes to wrestling is that he learns very fast,” Noei said to PVT. “Charles is a guy that learns a lot easier than other fighters. We already trained a little of Islam’s wrestling. Because Islam is left-handed so you know that his left side is stronger, left hand, left leg that’s where he is stronger. Also trained for Islam‘s weakness, where and how to take him down, where he is strong and you have to avoid. That’s not a secret, right? Because he would get strong.”
Oliveira is no slouch on the ground himself. He is a BJJ black belt and has submitted 21 opponents during his professional career. Many believe that this fight could be a battle on the ground. Both are bringing all they have in their arsenals to end the other’s night early. Whether the fight stays standing or ends on the ground, fans are certain to be entertained when these two top lightweights get locked into the cage together in Abu Dhabi.
