1st Charles Oliveira VS Islam Makachev - this is the anticipated by fan on what to happen and I really want this aswell, but for now there are just rumors because Makhachev wants a title match but instead the UFC might be giving to him a Beneil Dariush fight
I have heard rumors about both fighter going to the UFC, of course the fight between these two will be very impressive because they have the same way of fighting for Knockout, I hope the rumors about the dream match will come true in the future, although I hope for the return of Khabib but Islam Makachev had represented himself to fight against Charles Oliveira.
He really wanted that fight but I guess Islam Makhachev will still need to fight a top 5 fighter before he can fight in a title match, so a likely Islam Makhachev VS Beneil Dariush would happen in my opinion, and with the Khabib Nurmagomenodov returning into the UFC, I don't really think so, maybe he can fight in an exhibition match only but in going back to the UFC I don't really think so, although I would like to see him return, but yeah it is not really clear if we can see him fight again, but right now Islam Makhachev is a near choice if you want a Khabib Style type of fighter, but even though they have the same Sambo style, it is pretty obvious that Islam Makhachev had a unique way in doing it,
1. Did Makachev really ducked RDA? The only reason Makachev isn't getting the title shot is because he hasn't beat a top 5 yet. And he cannot fight for that vacant belt either. He just entered top 4.
He would likely be going to fight Rafael dos Anjos back on October 24, 2020, but Dos Anjos tested positive for COVID-19 and he was removed from the bout and was rescheduled for another event, then the rescheduled fight was on October 30, 2021, However, dos Anjos was forced to pulled from the event due to injury and was replaced by Dan Hooker, now whos ducking who now? I think Beneil Dariush would likely fight Islam Makhachev in the future,
2. Right after stripping Oliveira's belt, the UFC also said that the guy still becomes number 1 ranked in the lightweight should he beat Gaethji. So I guess the next Oliveira fight is for the vacant belt? Connor might get the title fight if this happens but it doesn't make any sense IMO. A huge mismatch. Connor is inactive for a year now and his last two fights he was stopped. If Connor is still Dana's cash cow then he won't be thrown into the lions den without a tune up.
I think the UFC is likely still in favor of Conor McGregor or likely they want to teach McGregor something that is why they pit him to Charles Oliveira that surely McGregor was a mismatch against Oliveira, but I can not think of a better way why the UFC or Dana White agreed to this,
3. Iirc, Dariush was ranked number 5 few weeks ago? This should be the best fighter Makachev is facing if this really happens. Maybe a win over Dariush might move him to number 2.
If Dariush wins which I think is impossible I can see a Khamzat Chimaev VS Gilbert Burns situation of a fight, where Khamzat wins in a gruesome match of brawl Khamzat didn't use a wrestling technique, which I think he has an advantage but knowing Burns I think Burns has a tendency to counter it,