Islam Makhachev should fight Charles Oliveira next.

That is the view of the UFC's former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Oliveira (32-8, 1 NC) successfully defended his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 269 last December - with Justin Gaethje the No.1 contender at 155 pounds.

Makhachev (22-1) meanwhile registered an easy first-round TKO victory over short-notice replacement Bobby Green in Las Vegas on Saturday.

And Nurmagomedov, 33, has revealed Makhachev will face the winner of Oliveira's clash with Gaethje later this year, after receiving assurances from UFC president Dana White.

He told ESPN: "A couple of days ago when we met with Dana we were talking about hey what's next.

"He was like, he has to fight Bobby Green first. I'm like, 'Dana, they're not the same level'. Of course we don't underestimate him but if Islam catches him he's finished you know.

"He said I'm really focused on Islam fighting versus the winner of Charles versus Justin Gaethje later this year.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks Islam Makhachev should fight Charles Oliveira next

“Dana says they are going to make very big show in Abu Dhabi end of this year, and I think this place is where Islam is going to compete and fight for the title.

“If I say I think Justin Gaethje is going to win, maybe people are going to think because I fight with him, that’s why I want him to win – something like this.

"For UFC, it’s going to be better if Charles Oliveira wins – 11-win streak vs. 10-win streak. Two new blood for lightweight division.

“I really want Charles and Islam fight, but I’m not going to be surprised because Justin Gaethje have so much experience and big heart. If you want to beat him, you have to finish him. If not going to be finish, I think Justin Gaethje going to win this fight if Charles can’t finish him.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Makhachev is also in complete agreement with Nurmagomedov.

Speaking at the post-fight press conference, he said: “I told you guys a couple days ago, this guy is not my level and I’m going to show you my level. 11 months, I finish four guys and I deserve.

“I think it’s going to be a good fight because those guys are high level. Charles improved his striking game and he have more [skills] than Justin in the ground game. I think they going to strike a little bit, then Charles is going to take him down, take his back and finish him there. Like third round or second round.

“I think it’s going to be good match because this guy’s good in the striking and grappling and wrestling. I’m going to make him tired, pressure him, and make him give up. Because this guy, I know like when somebody go with him three or four rounds and give him hard punch and hard time, and he can finish some people with choke.

"But when he do not do this, he give up all the time. But I have grappling skills more than him. He going to try to finish me on the ground, but it’s going to be so hard for him.”