Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev will face off in a much-anticipated lightweight fight on Saturday at UFC 280.
After Khabib Nurmagomedov relinquished the belt after retiring from fighting in 2020, Oliveira (33-8, 1 no contest) took the vacant gold last May before retaining it in December. A day before his last defense was scheduled for May this year, the Brazilian was stripped of the title due to underweight. Twenty-four hours later, Justin Gaethje came in anyway to establish himself as the Official No. 1 contender at £155.
Meanwhile, Makhachev is striving to follow in the footsteps of his childhood friend Khabib, now one of the coaches of his Russian counterpart, winning the lightweight belt. Makhachev (22-1) has been undefeated for seven years and has long been considered by many as the awaited lightweight champion.
In the co-main event, Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling defends his belt against former champ TJ Dillashaw after another former 135-pound champ – Petr Yan – faces rising star Sean O’Malley.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is it?
UFC 280 will take place on Saturday 22 October at the Etihad Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Qualifiers will begin at 3:30 PM ET (8:30 AM PT, 9:30 AM ET, 10:30 AM ET), with the main ticket continuing at 7:00 PM ET (11:00). AM PT, 1:00 PM ET, 2:00 PM ET).
How can I watch?
Charles Oliveira was stripped of the UFC lightweight belt in May
(Getty Images)
The ticket will be streamed live on the UK’s BT Sport Box Office – at a cost of £19.95 – with the broadcaster’s app and website also broadcasting the fights.
In the US, ESPN+ will broadcast the event live, as will the UFC Fight Pass.
full card
main card
Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev (vacant lightweight title)
Aljamin Sterling (left) – T.J. Delachau (Bantamot welterweight title)
Peter Yan vs. Sean O’Malley (bw)
Benil Dariush vs. Matthews Jamroth (Lightweight)
Catelyn Chukajian vs. Manon Furo (Flyweight for female)
preliminary
Bilal Muhammad vs. Shawn Brady (Welterweight)
Mahmud Muradov – Cayo Boralho (middleweight)
Volkan Ozdemir vs Nikita Krylov (Light Heavyweight)
Abubakar Nurmagomedov – Gadji Omargadzhiev (lightweight)
Armin Petrosyan vs. AJ Dobson (middleweight)
Muhammed Mookiev vs. Malcolm Gordon (Flyweight)
Carol Rosa – Lena Lansberg (women’s bantamweight)
Opportunities
UFC Bantamweight Rookie Sean O’Malley
(Getty Images)
olivera – 11/8; Makhachev – 4/7
sterling – 4/7; Delashaw – 7/5
yan – 11/4; O’Malley – 01/02
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