Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has been backed to make a spectacular return to the Octagon ahead of schedule at a penned UFC event in Saudi Arabia in March of next year, taking on former-foe, Charles Oliveira in a title rematch, according to close friend and training partner, Daniel Cormier.
Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the banner of the promotion, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, landing a first round high-kick knockout win over two-time foe, Alexander Volkanovski.
As for Sao Paulo native, Oliveira, the former titleholder was scheduled to fight the Russian at the same event in the Middle East, until a nasty laceration suffered two weeks ahead of the rematch forced his withdrawal from the title clash.