Javier Mendez, the head coach of undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has pumped the brakes on a title rematch between his student and former division titleholder, Charles Oliveira – even if the Brazilian emerges victorious from UFC 289 this weekend in his title-eliminator with Beneil Dariush.
Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, headlined UFC 280 back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE – submitting the former undisputed division champion, Charles Oliveira in the pair’s vacant title fight.
Returning to the Octagon earlier this year in the main event of UFC 284 in Perth, Australia – Makhackala native, Makhachev successfully retained his crown in a close, unanimous decision win over current featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski on enemy territory.