UFC 280 LIVE results: Islam Makhachev submits Charles Oliveira to win lightweight title
Follow live reaction as Makhachev claims the vacant lightweight title with a second-round win over former champion Oliveira
Islam Makhachev submitted Charles Oliveira in the UFC 280 main event on Saturday to win the vacant lightweight title, following in the footsteps of his childhood friend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Khabib retired unbeaten in 2020, vacating the UFC lightweight strap immediately after retaining it in Abu Dhabi. And it was there that Makhachev won the same belt – almost two years later to the day – submitting Khabib’s literal successor Oliveira to become his fellow Russian’s spiritual successor in the Octagon. Last May, Oliveira won the title vacated by Khabib, and the Brazilian went on to retain it in December. One day before his own scheduled defence against Gaethje this May, however, Oliveira was stripped of the belt after missing weight. Oliveira would submit Gaethje anyway to establish himself as No 1 contender and set up a clash with Makhachev.
That highly-anticipated in-ring meeting played out at the Etihad Arena on Saturday, and it was Makhachev, 31, who came out on top, submitting 33-year-old Oliveira with an arm-triangle choke in Round 2 to win the vacant title. In the co-main event, TJ Dillashaw attempted to battle through a dislocated shoulder in his bantamweight title fight with Aljamain Sterling, but the former champion was largely ineffective and ultimately fell to a second-round TKO loss, as Sterling retained the belt. In the evening’s previous fight, rising 135lbs star Sean O’Malley won a controversial decision against former bantamweight champion Petr Yan. Follow live reaction from UFC 280 below.
UFC 280 LIVE
Muhammad vs Brady – Round 2
Brady with a slick switch kick to the body. Still Muhammad comes forward, though he’s tagged with some clean counter punches.
Muhammad slips as Brady kicks his leg. A harsh right hook lands for Muhammad, his best strike so far! Brady certainly felt that, and Muhammad follows it up with a flurry of clean punches!
A big one-two connects! Brady is on the fence and wobbly...
And the ref steps in! Muhammad takes his opponent’s 0 with an onslaught of punches!
UFC 280 LIVE
Muhammad vs Brady – Round 2
Brady shoots from distance, but Muhammad denies him a takedown again.
Brady just misses with a front kick but connects with a left hook. Now a body kick lands for him.
A counter right hand is on target for Muhammad.
UFC 280 LIVE
Muhammad vs Brady – Round 1
A fair bit of stance-switching from Brady so far.
The welterweights trade punches now in an intense passage of action! This is better from Muhammad, but Brady lands a fierce punch in retaliation!
Good pressure from Muhammad late in the round, although most of his punches are being blocked.
UFC 280 LIVE
Muhammad vs Brady – Round 1
Can the unbeaten Brady earn his biggest win yet? Muhammad comes forward early, moving behind jab feints.
A jab lands for Brady, who soon catches a kick and drives Muhammad to the mat.
Muhammad stands and comes forward again, though. He’s struggling to close distance at the moment.
Brady now does just that by shooting for a takedown, but Muhammad stuffs the attempt.
UFC 280 LIVE
Boos from the Abu Dhabi crowd as Brady is introduced.
Meanwhile, a great reaction for the American’s compatriot Muhammad, who has Khabib in his corner.
UFC 280 LIVE
Next up is a clash of welterweight contenders, Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady.
This one could have real ramifications for the 170lbs division.
UFC 280 LIVE
Caio Borralho def. Makhmud Muradov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
The Brazilian moves to 3-0 in the UFC, extending his overall win streak to 10!
UFC 280 LIVE
Muradov vs Borralho – Round 3
Borralho racks up a fair bit of control time to close out the fight, and that may prove vital.
UFC 280 LIVE
Muradov vs Borralho – Round 3
Borralho with a side kick to the thigh. Muradov is pressing forward but not throwing much...
Here he comes with a flurry of punches, though, into a successful takedown across the fence!
Again Borralho tries to counter with a guillotine, but he can’t quite lock it in.
The Brazilian does get on top, however, and he rains down punches.
UFC 280 LIVE
Muradov vs Borralho – Round 2
Muradov ducks under a one-two and tries for a double-leg takedown, but Borralho catches him in a guillotine choke!
Muradov rolls free, but Borralho is able to move into half-guard. Muradov eventually reverses the position and gets into closed guard.
Muradov stays there for a while, but he is trying to advance the position.
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