UFC 280 press conference LIVE: Latest updates as Charles Oliveira and Sean O’Malley speak in London

Re-live updates after Oliveira and O’Malley previewed their huge upcoming fights with Islam Makhachev and Petr Yan respectively

UFC 4 - Conor McGregor

The first press conference for UFC 280 took place today, as Charles Oliveira and Sean O’Malley travelled to London to preview October’s seismic Abu Dhabi fight card.

In the main event of UFC 280 in three months’ time, Oliveira will fight Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight title, while O’Malley faces his biggest bantamweight test yet as he goes up against former champion Petr Yan. Elsewhere on the card, Belal Muhammad clashes with Sean Brady at welterweight, and Muhammad joined Oliveira and Makhachev at the O2 Arena today, moments before the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC London – which takes place on Saturday.

Oliveira was stripped of the UFC lightweight title in May for missing weight, one day before his scheduled defence against Justin Gaethje. The Brazilian submitted Gaethje in the first round but was ineligible to win back the belt, instead establishing himself as No 1 contender. Meanwhile, O’Malley is one of the UFC’s most popular young fighters, and his incrementally tougher in-ring assignments have suddenly given way to a huge fight with ex-champ Yan. Oliveira vs Makhachev, O’Malley vs Yan, and Muhammad vs Brady were all announced this week, and three of those fighters previewed their upcoming bouts this afternoon. Re-live updates from the UFC 280 press conference, below.

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

• UFC 280 press conference takes place at O2 Arena in London
• Press conference plays out before UFC London ceremonial weigh-ins
• UFC 280 scheduled for Abu Dhabi in October
• Oliveira faces Islam Makhachev; O’Malley fights Petr Yan
• Oliveira and O’Malley are joined by Belal Muhammad, who faces Sean Brady

[22 July 2022 17:09 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

Lots of respect between Herbert and Nelson.

[22 July 2022 17:08 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

Now here comes Kyle Nelson, the Canadian lightweight who will face Britain’s Jai Herbert tomorrow.

Some boos for Nelson, and then a BIG cheer for Herbert – the first Briton to take to the stage this afternoon!

[22 July 2022 17:08 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

An intense staredown between Bohm and Leonardo!

[22 July 2022 17:07 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

Next up are Victoria Leonardo and Mandy Bohm!

A decent reception for both fighters.

[22 July 2022 17:05 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

First up we have Nicolas Dalby and Claudio Silva!

A good reaction for Dalby, a few boos for Silva...

[22 July 2022 16:57 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

We’re moments away from the start of the ceremonial weigh-ins.

[22 July 2022 16:46 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

That’s all from the UFC 280 press conference, but stick around on this page for live updates from the UFC London ceremonial weigh-ins, which will follow shortly!

[22 July 2022 16:45 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

Muhammad picks Aspinall to beat Blaydes.

O’Malley picks Blaydes.

Oliveira sits on the fence!

[22 July 2022 16:44 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

More than once today, Oliveira has mentioned fighting in January. He now clarifies that it will possibly be too soon after October *unless* that card is in Brazil; he would make an exception for a card in his home country.

[22 July 2022 16:38 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

O’Malley: “I’d love to put [Yan] face-first on the canvas. He’s a slow starter. I think I’m good going backwards, which not many fighters can do.”