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 16:38 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

A fan asks what the fighters think of Jose Aldo.

Muhammad: “The fact he’s been in the game so long and is still competing at the top level, could be champion again soon...”

O’Malley: “Absolutely [I’d like to fight him]. I wouldn’t mind beating up Petr, then letting Jose fight for the title, then fighting him.”

[22 July 2022 16:35 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

O’Malley on the prospect of a rematch with Marlon Vera, the only man to have beaten him as a professional:

“If I beat Petr, I believe I’ve earned a title shot. I think a first defence against ‘Chito’ [Vera] would be good.”

[22 July 2022 16:33 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

That’s all of the media questions done, now we have fan questions.

[22 July 2022 16:33 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

Oliveira on the prospect of fighting featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who has expressed an interest in moving up a division to challenge for a second belt:

“Let’s take it a step at a time. Islam is in October, let’s see what happens in January.”

[22 July 2022 16:29 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

O’Malley on fighting Yan: “I’m the biggest name in the bantamweight division, it’s the biggest fight they could have made. It makes sense to me.”

[22 July 2022 16:26 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

Muhammad on Diaz vs Chimaev: “I give Nate a chance in every fight. We saw Chimaev get tired in that last fight.”

On Brady: “I think I’m a better fighter than him, a better grappler, a better striker.”

[22 July 2022 16:24 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

Oliveira is asked who gave him the toughest test out of Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. He says he simply has respect for all three, and all have different strengths.

Oliveira knocked out Chandler last May, before submitting Poirier and Gaethje.

[22 July 2022 16:23 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

Oliveira: “I think [Conor] Mcgregor just wants to enjoy life. My focus is on Islam, and then whatever’s next.”

[22 July 2022 16:23 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

Muhammad on Chimaev vs Nate Diaz: “I’m team Diaz.”

[22 July 2022 16:22 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 280 press conference LIVE

O’Malley: “The narrative is I’ve been taking easy fights. I’ve been accepting the fights the UFC has offered me. It’s a chance to get some highlight KOs and make money.”