UFC 280 just ended, and it was Islam Makhachev who walked away with the UFC lightweight belt, submitting Brazilian maverick Charles Oliveira in the second round with an arm triangle, after dominating the entire fight, both standing and on the ground.
Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira
The fight started off with a straight left for Islam Makhachev which connected and rocked Oliveira who responded by quickly tying up Mahkachev with a body lock and using it to pull guard. Mahkachev ignored the most feared guard in UFC history, brushing off Oliveira’s triangle and armbar attempts and putting in some effective ground and pound from Charle’s guard.
Charles started fidgeting and scrambled to the half guard, trying to invert into a leg lock forcing Islam Makhachev away and getting to the feet. The two fighters then clinched up on the fence, with Mahkhachev quickly taking Oliveira back to the mats.
This time, though, Mahkachev stacked Oliveira’s hips high, and pushed his head up the fence, killing his game off and treating him to some more ground and pound.
A couple of up kicks from Oliveira, one of which seemed to connect, and a late half-triangle attempt concluded round 1.
In round two, Islam came strong again, with Charles looking hesitant. After trading a few kicks and punches, the two tied up again when Oliveira tried a takedown, which Islam Makhachev turned, forcing the Brazilian to the cage.
They spent a couple of minutes there, before returning to the center, and Islam Makhachev outstriking Oliveira again. Charles attempted a jumping knee which opened up a hook counter that sent Oliveira to his back. The Brazilian tried to fend Mahkachev off with up kicks, but Islam brushed them away passing the guard and locking up an arm triangle choke from the top half guard. He quickly cleared the legs and submitted the Brazilian at the 3:16 mark of round two.
During the post-fight interview, Khabib and Islam Makhachev invited Alexander Volkanovski to the octagon, who obliged, hinting at a possible fight for the unification of titles soon.
UFC 280 Main Card Results:
- Aljamin Sterling submitted TJ Dilalshow (Anaconda choke)
- Sean O’Maley beat Petr Yan (decesion)
- Benell Dariush beat Mateusz Gamrot (decision)
- Manon Florot beat Katlyn Chookagian (decision)
UFC 280 Preliminary Card Results:
- Belal Muhammad knocked out Sean Brady (TKO)
- Caio Borralho beat Makhmud Muradov (decision)
- Nikita Krylov beat Volkan Oezdemir (decision)
- Abubakar Nurmagomedov beat Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (decision)
- Armen Petrosyan beat AJ Dobson (decision)
- Muhammad Mokaev submitted Malcolm Gordon (armbar)
- Karol Rosa beat Lina Lansberg (decision)
