- Daniel Cormer is convinced Islam Makhachev can’t stand a chance with Charles Oliveira in striking
- DC suggests that Islam should go for grappling instead
After all said and done, the lightweight strap will finally have a rightful owner at UFC 280 when Charles Oliveira takes on lightweight rising star Islam Makhachev for the title. Ahead of the bout, Islam’s AKA teammate and former UFC champ-champ Daniel Cormier made an honest prediction.
DC warns a teammate
According to DC, Makhachev should not experiment and try to trade blows with “Do Bronx” as he will be knocked out for sure. Instead, he should rely on his “best areas” which is mostly grappling.
“I think we’ll see a lot of grappling. I think we’ll see a lot of very very in-tight engagements. I don’t believe that Islam will play the game with ‘do Bronx’ at range. Because if you do, he’s going to sleep. There’s no mistake about it. Islam is too far from Charles [Oliveira]. Charles Oliveira is going to get him. Islam will need to be close, getting takedowns and really engaging with Charles in one of his best areas and that’s in jiu-jitsu.”
So much on the line
UFC 280 will set a new landscape in the lightweight division. Aside from possibly having a champion, things could take a huge turn depending on the outcome of the fight.
Should Makhachev wins, top contenders whom Oliveira had already beaten such as Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler will all have a fair chance to get a crack at UFC gold once again. The Brazilian, on the other hand, might lose a bit of leverage in demanding a money fight with Conor McGregor.
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If Oliveira prevails, a quick rematch might be inevitable or the UFC might succumb to his desire and green light the showdown with “The Notorious,” handing McGregor another chance to become a champion once again following back-to-back losses.
