Shlemenko compared Makhachev with Nurmagomedov before the “fight of a lifetime”

MOSCOW, July 17, Oleg Bogatov. Upcoming fight for the title of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in lightweight with Brazilian Charles Oliveira will be the fight of his life for Islam Makhachev, said ex-champion of the Bellator organization Russian Alexander Shlemenko. The fight will take place on October 22, 2022 in Abu Dhabi at the UFC 280 tournament. the fight of his life, because he went to him for so long. I estimate his chances of winning very well. Because Oliveira will not be able to surprise him with anything in the fight, and Makhachev looks clearly better in the stance. My opinion — Charles Oliveira is very convenient opponent for Islam. I do not think that any attempts will be made to disrupt the fight. If the UFC organization gave this fight to Makhachev, it means that she showed her attitude to the current political situation. If it were different, then the UFC is unlikely would appoint a fight involving a fighter from Russia,» Shlemenko said. «If Islam wins and becomes the UFC champion, then this will to some extent be a repetition of Khabib's path. If you compare them globally, then most likely not. Because Khabib still has no defeats, but Islam has one. It's a little different. But if Makhachev wins, then Khabib will be very pleased. Indeed, in this case, he did everything to ensure that his friend and faithful ally became the UFC champion. Especially in the same weight class. What else could be better?» — said the Russian fighter.