With Charles Oliveira certain to be one half of the next UFC Lightweight Championship fight I take a look at who could be on the one facing him across the octagon with a few options the UFC could go for.
Islam Makhachev
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Style wise Islam Makhachev vs Charles Oliveira is probably the most compelling with Islam being the second coming of Khabib with better striking and looking more for the submission rather than ground and pound like Khabib but with Oliveira being so well rounded with world class BJJ and striking it would be interesting to see how this fight plays, would it stay on the feet with Oliveira having an advantage or would Islam take it to the ground knowing Oliveiras BJJ skills. It's just an interesting stylistic match up and if Oliviera did beat Makhachev it would be the only scenario I could see Khabib coming out of retirement. Skills wise you can see Islams ready dominating recent opponents Dan Hooker and Bobby Green but are these guys high caliber enough to warrant a title shot, normally you have to beat someone in the top 5 to get a title fight something Makhachev hasn't done as well as not being the biggest draw could hurt his chances of landing a title fight next and instead might have to face Beneil Dariush in a number one contenders fight.
Alex Volkanovski
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Before his trilogy fight with Max Holloway Volkanovski was talking about a move up to lightweight to try and become a two weight division and after beating Holloway for the third time I wouldn't be against that. The featherweight division is lacking top contenders that would interest Volkanovski with Josh Emmet, Arnold Allen and Yair Rodriguez if he can beat Brian Ortega being potential opponents but would any of those really entice Volkanovski? Most people don't think Emmet won against Calvin Kattar and Arnold Allen probably needs a title eliminator next, Yair would be an entertaining fight but after just losing to Holloway it's hard to see him beating Volkanovski. Volkanovski is level above everyone at featherweight and is currently in the top three P4P fighters so a move up in weight classes could keep him motivated and keep things fresh with a whole host of match ups if he were to become lightweight champion. The only concern is size, there's weight classes for a reason and I wouldn't class Volkanovski as a big featherweight being 5'6 which raises questions if he could cope with the increase in power and strength at lightweight but I think it only being ten pounds instead of the jump from middleweight to light heavyweight means it wouldn't be as big a factor. It would definitely be a mega fight if Oliveira vs Volkanovski is next for the lightweight belt.
Conor McGregor
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With The Notorious being the biggest draw in MMA Charles Oliveira has been vocal about his next fight being with McGregor to secure a big pay day with media outlets suggesting this will be McGregor's next fight after he returns from breaking his ankle. Whilst you can justify McGregor getting a shot because of his draw he hasn't won an MMA fight since 2019 against Cowboy Cerrone who was certainly nowhere near his prime and even recently said he should've retired before the McGregor fight. If McGregor comes back he needs at least one win to justify a title fight, someone like Justin Gaethje or RDA would stylisticly be fun and winnable fights for McGregor which would give the UFC justification for a title fight next. With his draw Conor is always near the title picture and because of the way his last bout ended many will try and justify a title fight next.
Rafael Fiziev
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Rising contender made a real statement after KOing Rafael Dos Anjos in the fifth round at UFC Fight Night on Saturday and whilst probably not ready yet for a title fight yet could be one win away. Fiziev’s crisp striking and great take down defense will prove a problem for anyone and with Oliveira being knocked down in his last three fights a Fiziev could cause him some problems. It's more likely he'll need at least one more win for a title shot and a fight against Justin Gaethje is one I'd love to see with it certain to win FOTN.
