‘You have no other choice’: Khabib Nurmagomedov makes demand to UFC president Dana White

The Russian insists that his close friend Islam Makhachev should fight for the vacant lightweight belt next

Former UFC champion Khabib now coaches and promotes fighters (AFP via Getty Images)

Khabib Nurmagomedov has insisted that UFC president Dana White has “no other choice” than to give Islam Makhachev a shot at the lightweight title next time out.

Khabib relinquished the belt in October 2020 as he retired just moments after submitting Justin Gaethje to remain unbeaten at 29-0.

Charles Oliveira then won the vacant gold last May and retained it against Dustin Poirier in December. The Brazilian was set to defend the belt against Gaethje in the UFC 274 main event last Saturday but was stripped of the title after missing weight.

Oliveira submitted Gaethje but was ineligible to win back the belt due to missing weight, though the UFC named him the official No 1 contender, with a title shot awaiting “Do Bronx” in his next contest.

Oliveira will need an opponent for that bout, however, and Khabib has insisted that Makhachev – his childhood friend and mentee – should be the man to face the Brazilian for the vacant title.

“@danawhite you have no other choice but make Oliveira vs Islam fight in Abu Dhabi 22 October,” Khabib wrote on Twitter on Sunday, referring to the scheduled UFC 281 card.

“Perfect date, Perfect location, Perfect opponents with perfect winning streaks 10 vs 11.”

Islam Makhachev has won 10 straight fights and has only lost once as a professional (Getty Images)

Makhachev last fought in March, improving his record to 22-1 by stopping Bobby Green in the first round. The result also extended the Russian’s win streak to 10, with his last four victories having come via stoppage.

Green was a last-minute replacement for Beneil Dariush, whose clash with Makhachev could well be rescheduled and take place in the coming months. Clearly, however, Khabib would prefer for Makhachev – whom he coaches – to face Oliveira for the title instead.

Oliveira’s victory over Gaethje extended the 32-year-old’s win streak to 11 and improved his records for most finishes and most submission wins in UFC history.