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Charles Oliveria and Islam Makhachev’s first encounter had a lot of grappling; Makhachev won the match via a triangle choke. So it would be fair to assume that the rematch will also have a lot of grappling/ground game.
Both fighters are solid at striking and grappling, and the featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski seems to be leaning in favor of Islam Makhachev to win the rematch. Only time can tell if Charles Oliveira can reclaim his precious lightweight belt.
The press conference will take place next to next week; it will be fascinating to see Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira face off again.
Alexander Volkanovski on Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev II
In a recent YouTube video, Alexander Volkanovski shared his thoughts on Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira’s grappling skills and explained who he thinks is better.
“Who I think is a better MMA grappler? I’m going to point to Islam,” Volkanovski said, as quoted by mmajunkie.usatoday.com. “Jiu-jitsu, we’ll go to Charles. This is going to be pretty controversial: Even if they did a jiu-jitsu match, who do I think will win? I’d still say Islam.I think (Oliveira has) got cleaner, crisper sort of submissions and jiu-jitsu moves.
Volkanovski further said: But when it comes to actual grappling and control, and dictating where it all goes, I’ve got Islam all day. I think Charles needs to do a better job of getting back to his feet, pouring the pressure on that way, which could lead to openings, submissions, while he’s building himself back up.As Islam is trying to catch him again, maybe leaving his neck vulnerable, then getting him sort of out of position there because on the bottom, you’re not going to get him out of position.
Then on the feet is where Charles obviously needs to get Islam for his best bet of winning that fight”.