UFC 280 event was headlined by a lightweight title fight featuring Charles Oliveira taking on Islam Makhachev.
Oliveira (33-9 MMA) was looking to reclaim the UFC’s lightweight title when he took to the Octagon this evening. ‘Do Bronx’ was most previously seen in action at May’s UFC 274 event, where he extended his win streak to eleven in a row with a first-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje (see that here).
However, because he had missed weight by half a pound for the contest, Oliveira was forced to vacate the title and was ineligible to take the belt home that evening in Phoenix.
Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev (23-1 MMA) had entered tonight’s UFC 280 main event sporting a ten-fight winning streak, his latest being a first-round TKO victory over Bobby Green this past February. The Russian’s lone loss had come back way back at UFC 192 in October of 2015, when he was TKO’d by Adriano Martins.
Round one of the UFC 280 main event begins and Charles Oliveira comes out with a jumping front kick. Islam Makhachev returns fire with a big left. That appeared to stun ‘Do Bronx’. Oliveira looking to close the distance. He does but Islam takes the fight to the floor. Charles throws up a triangle attempt. Islam avoids but after a scramble Oliveira is back to his feet. He presses Makhachev against the cage and lands a knee. Islam scores a trip takedown and gets the fight back to the floor. Islam is looking to score some ground and pound but the former champion is doing a good job of keeping him tied up. Less than a minute to go in round one. Big shots now from the Russian fighter. A nice upkick gets through for Charles Oliveira. The horn sounds to end round one.
Round two of the UFC 280 main event begins and Oliveira throws a front kick. Big shots from both men. ‘Do Bronx’ looks to score a takedown but Islam Makhachev pops right back up to his feet. He presses the former champion against the fence. Charles Oliveira with a nice knee to the body. Islam attempts to drag him to the canvas but can’t do so. The fighters separate and Makhachev lands a 1-2. He goes high with a kick but Oliveira blocks it. ‘Do Bronx’ with a good right hand. Islam lands a counter left and Charles goes down. Makhachev locks in an arm triangle choke and this one is all over. WOW!
Official UFC 280 Result: Islam Makhachev def. Charles Oliveira via submission in Round 2
Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Oliveira vs. Makhachev’ below:
Post-fight reactions to Islam Makhachev defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280: