News *** Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev MEGA THREAD PART II (OFFICIAL FOR UFC 280, 10/22) ***

[Ackmed]

Does any other coach talk this much?

Is any other coach this big of a celebrity?

He probably talks no less than Diego Lima, but media approach Khabib much more, and Khabib's social media posts get waaay more attention than any other coach. Don't confuse your interest in Khabib as a measure of how vocal he is.

 

[Ackmed]

There's kissing your uncle on the cheek. And then there is stepping into a bath with 15 other men while being naked. Come on bro.

Would you question it the same if it was a group of female friends in a tub?

 

[Ackmed]

Very silly, Islam has never fought Oliveira. Oliveira is a step above anyone that Islam has fought.

You can't teach chin.

And Islam is a step above anyone Oliveira has fought

 

[Ackmed]

Which Top 5 Islam faced?! We don't have conclusive data to analyze Islam, He won TS without facing the lions of the category.

Chimaev also had a perfect defense until he faced Burns, but Chimaev has a chin and Islam we already see that he has no chin.

Islam IS a top 5 - check his ranking.

If you think his ranking is unfair then you can't consider other top 5, top 10 etc rankings as legitimate because these fighters were ranked under the same system.

Can't have it both ways

 

[Paladin]

Charles will KO Islam, mark my words.

 

[Luckyme]

Hindsight is 20/20

That Tony Ferguson just came off a massive win streak and lost an interim title fight vs Gaethje. At the time, that was a big win.

Arguing about whether someone really earned a title shot is silly nowadays. The UFC is clearly not a meritocracy with people getting undeserved title shots and pushes all the time.

It becomes even more irrelevant if Islam beats Olivera. The discussion should instead be about how these two match up skill wise.

 

[Hdfi]

Sheikhs didn't personally transfer cash to Oliveira and I'd be surprised if anyone is trying to say this.

I made a similar post, implication is that Abu Dhabi's sponsorship money towards the UFC is enough for UFC to value them by giving Oliveira a payday that made him happily accept.

and throw the fight...

 

[rjmbrd]

I highly doubt that. Xenophobia on Sherdog is rampant but at the same time I wouldn't mind being wrong. So I want you to be right should Islam beat Oliveira that is.

What you're saying makes no sense.

This is a USA based message board where both parties fighting are from foreign countries.

 

[mister piscadinha]

you mean like Khabib was humbled during his reign in the UFC.....oops. And the only newb here is you.

khabib run away after three defenses and he barely faced any wrestler, also tibau humbled him.
u exposed ur self rn

 

[Hollywood Jack]

It's gonna be fun while it lasts... Islam's the first guy in a while who doesn't really present a threat to Charles on the feet. And Charles still attacked those guys like crazy and ultimately got the better of them standing. Guys usually show healthy respect to Islam standing because they're afraid of getting reckless and taken down, and that allows him to get his own striking off and he usually gets the TD anyway.

Charles isn't going to give a shit about respecting him standing, worrying about his wrestling, any of it. I don't think Islam will be easy to tap off his back, but good potential for a club and sub or a straight (T)KO. Islam hasn't shown an iron chin like Khabib, it's been cracked before and by lesser competition. I find it hard to believe Islam can survive 25 minutes with Charles or finish him. But while it lasts, I expect to see some excellent/exciting striking from both guys (but mostly Charles), take downs and top control (mostly Islam), some good scrambles, and ultimately a highlight reel finish (most assuredly from Charles).

 

[ClosetVitorFan]

I got Olive but I'm expecting a pull out from Islam, like if he just has indigestion or his thumb feels weird, hes pulling out.

 

[Ackmed]

and throw the fight...

Either you think very low of Oliveira to assume he'd throw a fight for money, or you know better than that but are preparing an excuse for his loss ahead of time.

In either scenario you aren't posting positively about Oliveira

 

[Spacebadger]

"Islam hasn't fought anyone in the top 10"

Islam - Is the main sparring partner, literally fought and spar Khabib everyday since childhood.

 

[Post 2 Decision]

And Islam is a step above anyone Oliveira has fought

That may be true, but Oliveira has faced much better competition than Islam. So, much closer competition skill-wise.

Arman is a good win, his best win.

 

[Ackmed]

That may be true, but Oliveira has faced much better competition than Islam. So, much closer competition skill-wise.

Arman is a good win, his best win.

Obviously a champ with title defenses will have faced tougher competition than a first time title contender...because once you're the champ you get matched higher ranked opponents. No denying that.

I was just responding to those who keep saying Oliveira is Islam's toughest opponent. That's true, but Islam is also Oliveira's toughest.

 

[Ackmed]

Charles isn't going to give a shit about respecting him standing, worrying about his wrestling, any of it.

It's naive to think Charles won't care about Islam's TD threat. Yeah he said they can start the fight off of his back, that's just promoting the fight. No one wants to be fighting off of their back against someone with elite ground game like Islam.

Lots of opponents say "I'll welcome the takedown" or "I don't care about being taken down" but they always do. Not only towards Islam but same story with Khabib's opponents.

 

[Post 2 Decision]

Obviously a champ with title defenses will have faced tougher competition than a first time title contender...because once you're the champ you get matched higher ranked opponents. No denying that.

I was just responding to those who keep saying Oliveira is Islam's toughest opponent. That's true, but Islam is also Oliveira's toughest.

I agree.

I was referring to people who are denying that Oliveira could KO Islam. Anyone who doesn't think that that is a possibility is just lying to themselves.

 

[Ackmed]

I agree.

I was referring to people who are denying that Oliveira could KO Islam. Anyone who doesn't think that that is a possibility is just lying to themselves.

Oh yeah that possibility always exists in MMA, not only with Oliveira but with all of Islam's past opponents, some more than others.

 

[Willie]

Islam is only fighting for the belt because of Khabib, He won a TS without facing a TOP 5 because he is a pupil of Khabib.

Or also because there is no one for Charles to fight right now. Since Dustin, Justin, and Chandler already fought him. Islam deserves his position. Like it or not.

 

[SteelEz]

You keep using Khabib as a crutch to justify why Islam should be considered dominant over Charles while disregarding the level Charles is at, but I have a better explanation. Oliviera is better than anyone Khabib EVER faced. I seriously need to bookmark this.

More likely, it is that you don't want to believe it as it is selective memory at its best. Khabib was never an underdog in any of his fights on Tapology. Go have a look. He was favorite against Gaethje, Poirier, Conor and just about everyone else. I am sure you would not see that as casuals voting in favor of Khabib. However, because you are such a big fam of Khabib/Islam, you are dismissive when you see the same fans such overwhelmingly voting in favor of Charles because he is much better than anyone Khabib ever fought. There is no one Khabib fought who could pose a good challenge to Oliviera as the common opponents being finished more easily by Charles shows.

Well to be honest, Khabib would also be the favourite if he were to face Oliveira. So your argument doesn't add up.