Khabib Nurmagomedov (photo via UFC / Twitter)

By FCF Staff

Charles Oliveira took out Michael Chandler last month to lay claim to the UFC’s vacant, lightweight title, and Khabib Nurmagomedov sounds pretty happy about the outcome.

Oliveira was booked to fight Chandler for the belt, which Nurmagomedov relinquished, on account of his retirement last year.

While speaking with the media recently, the undefeated fighter was asked to comment on Oliveira’s win, and Nuramgomedov reportedly said this (quote via MMA Junkie).

“He (Oliveira) deserves to be a lightweight champion. What does he have, eight wins in a row? And seven of those eight were finishes. Only the Ferguson fight went to decision. I think he deserves the belt – so many finishes and UFC records. It’d be sad if Chandler won, if he became champion after two UFC fights. It wouldn’t be right. Oliveira improved a lot, and he deserves to be champion. I’m really happy for him because when anyone reaches success you have to respect that. I think he deserves to be champion”

The retired star also predicted that Oliviera will not be champion, if and when his teammate, Islam Makhachev, competes for the belt.

“I don’t think he’ll be champion when Islam (Makhachev) rises to that level,” Nurmagomedov said of Oliveira. “It’s important that Oliveira doesn’t misinterpret my words. I respect him. I just think when Islam goes up the rankings after a year there will be another champion. I think it will be Dustin Poirier.”

Poirier is booked to fight Conor McGregor in a rubber match on July 10. The winner is expected to face Oliveira next.