Islam Makhachev claims he can outwrestle Olympic gold medalist– “I'm going to defend his double-leg and that's it”

Islam Makhachev is set to take on Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. The two fighters will contend for the vacant lightweight championship in the main event.

A key component of Makhachev's fighting style is his wrestling. It could also prove to be the decisive factor between the two contenders, as Oliveira himself is a very skilled grappler.

However, Makhachev is supremely confident in his wrestling ability. To the point where he suggested taking on six-time wrestling world champion Jordan Burroughs. In a conversation with long-time American Kickboxing Academy teammate and mentor Daniel Cormier, Makhachev expressed his desire to wrestle an Olympic-level wrestler.

After 'DC' brought up Burroughs, Makhachev analyzed how he could beat the Olympic gold-medalist by breaking down his technique.

"You have to, brother, bring some Olympic level guy to AKA. I want to wrestle. Jordan Burroughs is gonna be a good match."

Cormier cracked up at Makhachev's mock serious manner, who continued:

Yes! Of course! Brother, this guy, please brother. I respect him, brother, but this guy just has a double leg. I'm gonna defend his double leg and that's it. And, how he takes points? He goes double leg, everybody defends, he push everybody. But in AKA, we have rope. He cannot push me."

Makhachev himself is an accomplished sambo wrestler. He won the gold medal at the 2016 World Combat Sambo Championship.

Watch Islam Makhachev's comments on YouTube:

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Beneil Dariush thinks Islam Makhachev's standup is better than people think

Alexander Volkanovski has emerged as the backup fighter in case either of the main event fighters pull out of the fight. Fellow lightweight contender Beneil Dariush weighed in on how Volkanovski would perform against either of the title challengers.

He spoke in an interview with Submission Radio and praised the oft-neglected side of Islam Makhachev; his striking while on his feet. Dariush said:

"Against Islam, it would really be how good is his [Volkanovski's] grappling. How good is his takedown defense and is he able to figure out Makhachev in the standup. Because Islam, people don't give him enough credit for his standup. He has good standup, but the thing is, it's very defensive. Everything he does, is ultimately just the set-up to takedown."

Dariush believes Islam Makhachev is a tougher test for 'Volk' compared to 'do Bronx'. Dariush himself will take on Mateusz Gamrot in the main card of UFC 280.