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 10:35 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

So, with every fighter having successfully weighed in at the official weigh-ins just now, all that is left is for them to face off at the ceremonial weigh-ins this afternoon. We’ll have live coverage of the ceremonial weigh-ins from 5pm BST.

But that’s not all...

At 3pm BST, the first UFC 280 press conference will take place at the O2 Arena. Charles Oliveira will face Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi this October, and the Brazilian will be present at this afternoon’s press conference.

Also present will be Belal Muhammad, who faces Sean Brady at UFC 280, and fast-rising Sean O’Malley. Bantamweight O’Malley was just announced as having a fight against former champion Petr Yan at UFC 280, to the surprise of every fan.

We’ll be providing live updates from that press conference, right here.

[22 July 2022 10:25 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

Main card

Curtis Blaydes (260lbs) vs Tom Aspinall (251lbs) – heavyweight

Jack Hermansson (186) vs Chris Curtis (186)– middleweight

Paddy Pimblett (156) vs Jordan Leavitt (155) – lightweight

Nikita Krylov (204) vs Alexander Gustafsson (205) – light heavyweight

Molly McCann (125.5) vs Hannah Goldy (125) – women’s flyweight

Paul Craig (206) vs Volkan Oezdemir (205.5) – light heavyweight

Prelims

L’udovit Klein (155) vs Mason Jones (155.5) – lightweight

Marc Diakiese (156) vs Damir Hadzovic (156) – lightweight

Nathaniel Wood (145.5) vs Charles Rosa (145) – featherweight

Makwan Amirkhani (145.5) vs Jonathan Pearce (145) – featherweight

Muhammad Mokaev (126) vs Charles Johnson (125.5) – flyweight

Jai Herbert (155) vs Kyle Nelson (155) – lightweight

Mandy Bohm (125.5) vs Victoria Leonardo (125) – women’s flyweight

Claudio Silva (170.5) vs Nicolas Dalby (170) – welterweight

[22 July 2022 10:18 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

British lightweight Marc Diakiese takes to the stage...

He looks in great shape... and makes weight! 156lbs!

Every fighter on the card has successfully weighed in.

We’ll post all the weights together in a moment.

[22 July 2022 10:14 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

While we wait for our final fighter, here’s some light reading...

As Tom Aspinall prepares for his toughest test yet, a clash with Curtis Blaydes this weekend, The Independent spoke to the Briton’s coach Colin Heron about how Saturday’s main event will be decided.

Exclusive interview here, including some great details, such as how Aspinall has been out-wrestling members of the GB wrestling squad...

[22 July 2022 10:03 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

We’re just waiting on Britain’s Marc Diakiese now. We’re told he’ll take to the stage in about 15 minutes.

[22 July 2022 10:02 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

Here comes Curtis Blaydes ahead of his main event vs Tom Aspinall...

260lbs for the American! He’s 9lbs heavier than Aspinall...

[22 July 2022 09:55 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

[22 July 2022 09:50 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

We’re still waiting on Curtis Blaydes and Marc Diakiese.

[22 July 2022 09:30 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

Here comes Charles Rosa, who fights London’s own Nathaniel Wood at featherweight tomorrow.

145lbs for Rosa! Championship weight.

[22 July 2022 09:27 · Alex Pattle]

UFC London weigh-ins LIVE

Just a few fighters left: Marc Diakiese, Charles Rosa, and main-eventer Curtis Blaydes.