Khabib Nurmagomedov would easily beat Charles Oliveira, according to UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev.

Considered by some to be the greatest fighter of all-time, Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from the sport shortly after his second-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020.

But despite UFC president Dana White's rather futile attempts to try and persuade him to change his mind, 'The Eagle', 33, has refused to go back on his word that he gave to his mother.

However, that hasn't stopped MMA fans from wondering how he might've fared against Oliveira.

But, according to Makhachev, who was last seen brutally dispatching Bobby Green, it wouldn't be much of a contest anyway.

The Dagestani wrestler, who is waiting for news of his next assignment, recently told ESPN: "This is like an easy fight for Khabib.

"Khabib had the most dominant grappling from top. He's going to take him down, hold him there. Very easy.

"I honestly think this is a very easy fight for Khabib. Stylistically, all of [Oliveira's] pressure is not going to work against Khabib because Khabib pressures all of his opponents.

khabib-nurmagomedov-ufc-mma-GOAT

Khabib Nurmagomedov is regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all-time

"We don't have to say Khabib is going to beat Charles. I'm going to beat Charles. And everybody is going to understand.

"Honestly, I believe I can finish this guy, and I really want to finish him in the grappling, in his area. I know I can do this."

Makhachev, 30, defeated Green, 35, via first-round TKO in February at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with Nurmagomedov, 33, in his corner.

Immediately after the fight, Makhachev thanked his opponent for stepping in on short notice to fight him before calling for a shot at the title that Oliveira lost on the scales at UFC 274.

In fact, he is so convinced that he can beat the former champion, he claims he is willing to put it to the test.

He added: "We don't have a champion. Charles is a contender. That's why it's going to be for the title.

"I deserve it. I have a 10-fight win streak.

"[Oliveira] said I don't deserve this, but he's asking about Nate Diaz and Conor [McGregor].

"I think Charles is a No. 1 contender now. We don't have a champion because he don't make weight. He is not a professional."

READ MORE: Dana White left Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov off his UFC Mount Rushmore

MORE: Jake Paul won't fight Mike Tyson because they have too much respect for each other