Adriano Martins, who knocked out Islam Makhachev, picks Oliveira for UFC 280

Adriano Martins believes that Charles Oliveira has what it takes to take out Islam Makhachev. Martins, who is the only fighter to hold a win over Islam Makhachev, noted the same in an interview with MMA Fighting.

Martins said that Oliveira has nothing to prove and that he has been in the UFC for 11 years.

“Charles doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. He’s faced everyone at featherweight and lightweight, he’s in the UFC for 11 years, and has beaten a lot of tough people. Makhachev, although he’s tough and could be a champion in the future, he still has a lot to prove,” Martins said.

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While he admitted that Makhachev is indeed a threat to most people, he is confident that Oliveira can emerge as the champion at UFC 280.

“I saw his fight with Thiago Moises, a kid I also trained with at American Top Team, and he turned it into an easy fight, backing him up [against the cage]. I see Makhachev evolving as an athlete and a man, physically speaking, and I think he’s trouble for a lot of people, but I see Charles as the favourite because he’s on a roll as champion. He fought a lot of tough people recently and completely ran through them,” Martins added.

Martins had fought Makhachev back in 2015 at UFC 192 and knocked out the Russian who was 12-0 at that time. When concluding, Martins said that Oliveira is versatile and can even knock out Islam.

“[Oliveira] is unpredictable and can knock him out and can submit him, and can take a beating [and come back]. I’d bet on Charles,” he added.

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What do you think will happen when Islam Makhachev fights Charles Oliveira? Let us know in the comments below.

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