Follow usIslam Makhachev’s upcoming title defense is no longer unknown.
Islam Makhachev will defend his lightweight title against Charles Oliveira in a rematch at UFC 294, Dana White announced. pic.twitter.com/cnTOSZ7AMH
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 20, 2023
The UFC lightweight champ will defend his title vs. ex-champion Charles Oliveira in a rematch in the most important bout at the UFC 294 on October 21st in Abu Dhabi; Dana White shared with the media.
The last match between them was at UFC 280, where Islam submitted his Brazilian opponent in the 2nd round to triumph with the then-vacant UFC lightweight belt.
Makhachev’s (24-1) last bout was a unanimous-decision victory against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 at the beginning of the year. The Russian won 12 fights in a row, all in the UFC.
Islam is very close with the ex-longtime lightweight champ and undefeated in his whole MMA career Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira won against Beneil Dariush via a 1st round TKO at UFC 289 in June to secure the rematch.
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