“Deserves all the respect”- Charles Oliveira showers massive praise on Khabib Nurmagomedov as the latter nods in acknowledgment
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Oliveira acknowledged Nurmagomedov's contributions to MMA
Despite the potshots at each other, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira have nothing but respect for each other at the end of the day. A great example of this was seen when Oliveira credited Nurmagomedov for his immense contributions to the sport.
At the UFC 280 press conference, there were moments when things got heated between the Brazilian and Dagestani camps. A notable example of this was when Makhachev and Oliveira got into a heated verbal sprawl being translated in real-time by Fabiano Bueski. However, before that happened there was a solemn moment of tipping the hat toward the ones that came before you.
Oliveira was asked by a reporter about Nurmagomedov’s shadow looming over the main event and how he’d fare in a bout against the best version of the former champion. “I mean we’re only going to know if the man over there comes back and fights again”, said Oliveira as he pointed at Nurmagomedov, sitting in the front row.
Acknowledging his contributions to MMA, Oliveira responded by saying, “[Nurmagomedov] deserves all the respect in the world, he deserves respect for everything he’s done for the sport, however, the only way we’ll ever find out is if he came back and fought again”
An alternate angle of the segment, shot from behind the former undefeated champion, shows Nurmagomedov nodding in appreciation for the kind words. Oliveira won the title after Nurmagomedov vacated it post his retirement at UFC 254.
Will Charles Oliveira be able to surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy?
As mentioned above, Oliveira won the title because Nurmagomedov vacated it. Since then he’s been on a legendary run, ever since he captured the title via a second-round TKO over Michael Chandler. The big obstacle in his way when it comes to overcoming Nurmagomedov’s legacy at lightweight is his 8 professional losses.
Nurmagomedov retired undefeated, that’s a tough statistic to match up against. What Oliveira can still do is manage to rake up as many title defenses as Nurmagomedov and every other lightweight great, 3.
While diehard Oliveira fans may argue that his bout against Islam would be his third title defense, the record books will simply never reflect that. As Oliveira was stripped of his title before the main event at UFC 274 began, he currently has only one defense under his belt, that being over former Interim Champion, Dustin Poirier.
An argument many make in favor of Oliveira is that he’s essentially duplicated Nurmagomedov’s championship resume, within a shorter period of time. With a victory over Islam Makhachev, Oliveira will have had 3 title fight victories to his name but is two defenses away from tying up with Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, and BJ Penn.
What do you think will Oliveira’s legacy be in the lightweight division? Has he done enough to surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov?
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Jerin Mathew
(713 Articles Published)