5 reasons why Islam Makhachev is a more interesting challenger for Charles Oliveira than Justin Gaethje

#4. Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira could be the best grappling match in UFC history

UFC Fight Night: Makhachev v Moises

A fight between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev would be a grappling dream match. While the UFC has traditionally come under criticism for its supposed focus on striking over and above grappling, the truth is that Dana White and company are quite happy for grapplers to thrive as long as they’re entertaining to watch.

Sure, a lay-and-pray wrestler is probably going to draw the ire of someone like White, but aggressive grapplers like Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev – who look to punish their opponents before submitting them – are a different thing entirely.

With both men being masters of submission – holding a combined record of 20 tapout wins in the octagon – there’s a possibility that if the UFC were to match Charles Oliveira and Makhachev together, a classic could ensue.

So could Makhachev’s takedowns, wrestling skill and top control nullify the dangerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills of ‘Do Bronx’? Or would Charles Oliveira be able to put Makhachev into a position that he’s never been in before in the UFC – and capitalize with another submission?

It’d be honestly tricky to say which way this fight might go, but due to the grappling skills of both, it’d be a far more fascinating fight than Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje would be right now.

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#3. Justin Gaethje has already had his chance at the top of the lightweight division

Justin Gaethje has already been to the top of the UFC lightweight division, where he lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov

Justin Gaethje would probably claim that he’s done enough to earn a shot at UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. In many respects, he wouldn’t be wrong.

‘The Highlight’ has suffered just one loss in the octagon since 2018 – his defeat at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2020. He has also defeated the likes of Donald Cerrone, Tony Ferguson and Michael Chandler.

However, given that he’s been headlining UFC shows since his octagon debut in 2017, is there an argument that Gaethje already had his chance at the top of the division?

The truth is that there is. While Gaethje has picked up those aforementioned big wins, in addition to his loss to Nurmagomedov, he’s also been defeated by both Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez, losing both fights by KO.

Given that he only lost his most recent title fight last October – and has only fought once since – can the UFC really justify handing him another shot right away?

Realistically, the UFC could justify giving anyone a title shot – even if they allowed Conor McGregor to leapfrog both Gaethje and Islam Makhachev – but the truth is that we’ve already seen Gaethje in enough big fights at this stage.

Therefore, as he’s never fought for the title before, Makhachev would be a much more intriguing title challenger right now.