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
“We know we’re gonna finish this guy,” Khabib says after saying Makhachev will fight featherweight champion and pound-for-pound king Alex Volkanovski in the Australian’s own backyard in February.
UFC 280 LIVE
Islam Makhachev def. Charles Oliveira via second-round submission (arm-triangle choke, 3:16).
Khabib hoists his childhood friend on his shoulders and parades him around the ring!
“This thing’s so heavy, bro,” Makhachev says as the belt is wrapped around his waist.
UFC 280 LIVE
Oliveira vs Makhachev – Round 2
Some slightly messy striking exchanges here. Makhachev is pressing forward in any case; Oliveira is struggling to implement his usual pressure.
The Brazilian blocks a high kick. Now he comes forward.
Makhachev drops Oliveira with a right hook after the former champion misses with a jumping knee!
The Russian chases Oliveira to the mat and locks in an arm-triangle... MAKHACHEV GETS THE TAP!
UFC 280 LIVE
Oliveira vs Makhachev – Round 2
Oliveira gets through with a right cross. Makhachev with a right hook then a knee to the body as the pair clinch.
They briefly hit the mat then stand against the cage wall, where Makhachev is in a dominant position.
Makhachev is trying to trip Oliveira, who is maintaining a stable base. The lightweights trade knees to the body before Makhachev steps back.
UFC 280 LIVE
Oliveira vs Makhachev – Round 1
Makhachev gets some big shots off. He’s trying to stack the former champion to create space to rain down punches, but Oliveira is largely doing well to keep the Russian at bay.
Now Oliveira lands a couple of up kicks as the round comes to an end!
UFC 280 LIVE
Oliveira vs Makhachev – Round 1
Makhachev, to the sound of “Islam” chants, drags Oliveira to the canvas!
Oliveira is keeping busy from beneath the 31-year-old, but Makhachev is also throwing strikes.
Makhachev is grinding his left forearm and elbow into Oliveira’s face.
UFC 280 LIVE
Oliveira vs Makhachev – Round 1
Makhachev is in Oliveira’s full guard. Oliveira is throwing elbows from below.
Makhachev has already fended off a triangle attempt from the Brazilian.
Now the Russian is trying for some punches, but Oliveira uses his legs well to keep Makhachev at bay!
Now Oliveira stands! The lightweights grapple against the fence, with Oliveira in control.
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