Former UFC Lightweight Champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov shared his reaction to Charles Oliveira winning the vacant belt against Michael Chandler. He commended the Brazilian fighter for winning and gave respect to Oliveira’s UFC career.
He also added that had Chandler won the belt it seemed not right since Chandler would have been the champion in just his second UFC fight. As what Tony Ferguson would call it “Dana White Privilege”. Although Chandler almost won the fight in the first round, but just failed to find the finish the fight.
Khabib and Oliveira respect each other as fighters. Even Oliveira said that many suggested to wear a shirt throwing shade at Khabib yet Oliveira decided to respect the former champion. Oliveira has said that his title reign will be different and Khabib left a fantastic legacy.
Charles Oliveira started his UFC run undefeated but during his run he had a lot of losses. He was called a quitter for giving up mid fight. Chandler even called him a fighter that gets broken easily, but Oliveira proved that he is as tough as they come, coming back from adversity and ended up knocking out Chandler in the second round.
What is crazy is that Oliveira and Khabib don’t have a similar past opponent. Despite both of them being the undisputed lightweight opponent. Oliveira gives a different approach to the game, he might have the best BJJ game in the division but he is also technical in terms of striking. Khabib’s style is too shoot volume takedown and control his opponent on the ground.
Oliveira also finishes his opponents and is riding on 9 fight win streak. He has broken numerous records like most submissions and most finishes in UFC history. Oliveira showed leaps of improvement and deserves to be called the UFC lightweight champion.
