UFC 280: Oliveira vs Makhachev Preview

The bright lights descend on a card for the ages in Abu Dhabi for a bantamweight showdown to decide the next title contender as Petr Yan locks eyes with Sean O’Malley, followed by a title bout between two-time division champion TJ Dillashaw and current undisputed bantamweight king Aljermain Sterling, all before Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev throwdown for the lightweight division belt in the main event of the evening.

We have waited almost two months for the UFC to grace our screens again, and there is no better way to welcome it back!

All times and odds are provided below.

Saturday 22 July

Betting supplied by Hollywoodbets

Main Event – Charles Oliveira 27/20 vs Islam Makhachev 52/100 (Lightweight Championship)

Charles Oliveira, the world’s best 155-pounder returns to the octagon in search of his belt which he never truly lost, owning a win over each of the division’s top five ranked opponents, except Islam Makhachev, protégé to the former lightweight GOAT, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Islam Makhachev (22-1), like his opponent, boasts an impressive record with a single defeat in 23 professional fights. Fierce and refined Dagestan wrestling under the tutelage of arguably the greatest lightweight fighter in the history of the sport. While he may not have the biggest names on his resume, Islam has been reportedly avoided by most high-ranked fighters. His most recent opponent was supposed to be Beneil Dariush, but Bobby Green ended up stepping in to save that particular main event. He put away Green in the first round, just like he disposed of arguably his toughest test Dan Hooker – in quick fashion. The scary thing about Islam, is that you know exactly what style he brings to the table, but you cannot stop it.

Charles Oliveira’s (33-8) record-breaking resume is undeniable, currently boasting 11 straight victories over high-level opponents. A submission savant and a man after chaos if you will, holding the record for the most submissions in UFC history (16) and when he steps in that cage you can expect a finish holding the record for most finishes (19) in the promotion, and finally, you know you’re in for a good spectacle earning himself the most fight bonuses (18) and most performance of the night awards (12).

This lightweight championship fight is bound to produce fireworks and is the first in UFC history to have two fighters on a 10+ winning streak.

Verdict: Islam Makhachev via TKO/KO/Sub

I keep going in circles on this prediction. Oliveira has all the tools needed to challenge the style that Islam Makhachev brings to the octagon. However, Islam is so refined and zoned in on the ability he brings with a mindset, unlike ordinary fighters. We have seen Charles Oliveira ‘quit’ in prior losses, and even if Islam finds himself in a difficult position, there will be no quit.

Co-main – Aljermain Sterling 53/100 vs TJ Dillashaw 27/20 (Bantamweight Championship)

The co-main event sees the return of bantamweight champion, Aljermain Sterling. A product of New York’s Long Island legend, Ray Longo, whose pupils have added blemishes to the records for some of the greatest fighters who have ever lived – Matt Sera defeating George St. Pierre and Chirs Weidman dethroning Anderson Silva. Now, Aljermain has a chance to set his name in stone when he faces the division’s two-time champion, hoping to become the first-ever three-time UFC champion, TJ Dillashaw.

Aljermain Sterling (21-3) has silenced all the critiques. After winning the bantamweight belt via disqualification of Petr Yan, he was criticized for being rather theatrical after being hit by an illegal knee. In the rematch, Sterling was able to silence any naysayers defeating Yan via split decision, and even though he might not be the most popular fighter, he is definitely an extremely skilled and disciplined one. He is an unorthodox fighter, who is capable of zapping your energy via grappling, no slouch on the feet, but his biggest weapon is undoubtedly jiu-jitsu.

One of the greatest bantamweights the UFC has ever seen has clawed his way back to the top of the foodchain ready to stake a claim at what was once his on two separate occasions, TJ Dillashaw (17-4), has proved he is on this warpath. wrestler by nature, but a true warrior all around, Dillashaw has an intensity and forward pressure striking ability like no other. After serving a two-year ban from the sport following a positive test for PEDs, he has since burnt the midnight oil to be the number two-ranked fighter in the division. He returned with a split decision victory over Cory Sandhagen in July 2021 and claiming that UFC gold again has always been the goal.

Verdict: TJ Dillashaw 27/20

TJ Dillahsaw and Aljermain Sterling have so many similarities to their game as well as physical attributes. This kind of fight comes down to the mental preparation – the desire to win and the focus to not make mistakes under immense pressure. The only stand-out difference is that Dillashaw is the one that is moving forward, putting pressure on Sterling, and we have seen him crumble under that before.

Petr Yan 32/100 vs Sean O’Malley 21/10 (Bantamweight)

Victory at UFC 280 is paramount for both bantamweight challengers in this high-intensity three-round strike fest. It puts them one step closer to the ultimate goal – securing UFC gold.

In the blue corner, an up-and-coming fighter with all the glitz, all the glam, and the ability to back up an ever-rolling “hype train” Sean O’Malley (15-1). The potential of what O’Malley can become in the fight game makes every fight fan glue their eyes to this guy. The “Suga Show” is not just a façade, but the technique and manner in which he displays his striking and all-around mixed martial arts arsenal magnify his stardom.

12 of Sean’s 15 MMA wins have come by way of finish, and in the UFC every fight he has been a part of has not gone the distance. He is currently ranked number 12 in the bantamweight division after three successive wins. He defeated Thomas Almeida (Counter Left · 3:52 · R3), Kris Moutinho (Punches (Standing TKO) · 4:33 · R3), and Raulian Paiva (Punches · 4:42 · R1), and to the dismay of most fans, his toughest opponent was unable to continue after an inadvertent eye poke in round two against Pedro Munhoz resulting in a no contest.

Now, after the misfortune in June of this year, Sean is set to face the toughest the division has to offer in my opinion, and this fight is how superstars are created.

In every facet of martial arts, Petr Yan (16-3) is a frightening opponent for any fighter! The number one ranked bantamweight in the world, and former division champion, Yan has his eyes set on reclaiming what was once his. He is hardened by a lifetime in the gym that began in his native Russia and is perpetuated by his rigorous training camps in Phuket Thailand.

Petr Yan is able to ring off combinations at will, alongside a gas tank that is arguably second to none! After his illegal knee in which he lost his belt to Aljermain Sterling, he felt he was unable to wait for a rematch dispatching of the bantamweight’s next best thing, Cory Sandhagen via decision. The rematch with Sterling didn’t go according to plan, losing via split decision after five gruelling back-and-forth rounds.

A win for Yan will reinvigorate his title charges and earn him some new fans.

Verdict: Sean O’Malley via decision 27/20

If you’re looking for an all-out war, Petr “No Mercy” Yan is the guy to give you what you seek! He will press forward with a high boxing guard willing to take shots before countering, looking for sneaky trips, and short hooks, oh! And do not forget his rather dirty little tricks to almost irritate his opponent.

However, Sean O’Malley cannot engage in such activities, and is a much smarter fighter who will play to his strengths – move, move, set, and ring off combos! O’Malley has a submission or two up his sleeve but would rather prefer to stay on his heels and create the perfect shot.

This should be the fight of the night, three rounds of fast-paced action! Expect Yan to come out firing, with just three rounds set to decide this bout. But Sean should come out the victor evading and firing off calculated shots for a decision victory.

Full card predictions

Main Card: 20:00 CAT, Saturday 22 July

• Lightweight (C) Charles Oliveira (27/20) vs Islam Makhachev (52/100): Makhachev
• Bantamweight (C) Aljermain Sterling (53/100) vs TJ Dillashaw (27/20): Dillashaw
• Bantamweight Petr Yan (32/100) vs Sean O’Malley (21/10): O’Malley
• Lightweight Beneil Dariush (29/20) vs Mateusz Gamrot (49/100): Dariush
• (W) Flyweight Katlyn Chookagian (33/20) vs Manon Fiorot (43/100): Chookagian

Prelims: 16:00 CAT, Saturday 22 July

• Welterweight Belal Muhammad (11/10) vs Sean Brady (13/20): Muhammad
• Lightweight Makhmud Muradov (16/10) vs Caio Borralho (9/20): Borralho
• Light Heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir (13/10) vs Nikita Krylov (53/100): Oezdemir
• Featherweight Zubaira Tukhugov (57/100) vs Lucas Almeida (5/4): Tukhugov
• Welterweight Abubaker Nurmagomedov (11/20) vs Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (13/10): Omargadzhiev
• Middleweight Armen Petrosyan (42/100) vs AJ Dobson (33/20): Dobson
• Flyweight Muhammad Mokaev (1/14) vs Malcolm Gordon (58/10): Mokaev
• (W) Bantamweight Karol Rosa (29/100) vs Lina Lansberg (23/10): Rosa