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

UFC 280: Dan Hardy suggests Khabib's presence puts added pressure on Islam Makhachev

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

• Makhachev def. Oliveira via second-round submission (arm-triangle choke, 3:16)
• Sterling def. Dillashaw via second-round TKO (punches, elbows; 3:44)
• O’Malley def. Yan via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Dariush def. Gamrot via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Fiorot def. Chookagian via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Plus all the prelim results as Muhammad stops Brady

[22 October 2022 21:20 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 LIVE

Aljamain Sterling def. TJ Dillashaw via second-round TKO (punches, elbows; 3:44).

[22 October 2022 21:18 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 LIVE

Sterling vs Dillashaw – Round 2

Sterling has Dillashaw down again and has taken the back!

He’s pouring on punches and slashing elbows!

And it’s stopped! Goddard waves it off; Sterling retains!

[22 October 2022 21:17 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 LIVE

Sterling vs Dillashaw – Round 2

Sterling is fully in control, and the crowd is booing as the Jamaican-American controls his challenger.

Dillashaw tries to stand; Sterling almost catches him in a D’Arce!

Dillashaw escapes, but it seems that left shoulder has come out again...

Referee Marc Goddard is well aware and is keeping a close eye on Dillashaw.

[22 October 2022 21:15 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 LIVE

Sterling vs Dillashaw – Round 2

A great first round for Sterling, whatever happened with Dillashaw’s shoulder.

Sterling secures another takedown. Dillashaw is still only using his right arm.

[22 October 2022 21:14 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 LIVE

It seems like Duane Ludwig, Dillashaw’s coach, got his fighter’s shoulder back in!

[22 October 2022 21:13 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 LIVE

Sterling vs Dillashaw – Round 1

Sterling is trying for a rear naked choke. Dillashaw manages to slip free and almost manages to stand.

He winces, and Sterling takes the back again. Once more Dillashaw tries to get free but can’t, and again Sterling tees off with punches.

Finally Dillashaw creates space and stands, but it looks like his left shoulder has popped out! Indeed, Sterling’s team shout: “His shoulder is out!”

Dillashaw makes it ot the end of the round.

[22 October 2022 21:10 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 LIVE

Sterling vs Dillashaw – Round 1

The bantamweights clash shins. Sterling then catches a kick and takes down Dillashaw.

Great movement from Sterling as he looks to keep down the former champion.

Dillashaw is being pinned down and is wincing. Has he hurt his shoulder or collarbone, perhaps...? It’s hard to tell at the moment.

Sterling is pouring on punches now, while Dillashaw just tries to cover up. This fight could be stopped soon.

Well, Sterling has taken the back and may stop it himself!

[22 October 2022 21:00 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 LIVE

Secondly, our exclusive interview with Aljamain Sterling:

[22 October 2022 20:56 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 LIVE

Next up: Former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw tries to regain the belt as he challenges Aljamain Sterling.

Two pieces of essential reading for you ahead of this one...

Firstly, Ollie Cooper’s fight preview:

[22 October 2022 20:54 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 LIVE

O’Malley: “Fighting is the craziest f***ing sport in the world.”

Yep.