UFC 280: Makhachev ousts MMA lightweight king Oliveira, Sterling overpowers Dillashaw
- Russian dethrones opponent via second-round submission after getting triangle choke
- Brazilian was stripped of the lightweight title for failing to make weight in his clash – and eventual win – against American Justin Gaethje in May
Islam Makhachev has always moved like a champion and on Saturday at UFC 280 the Russian became one, dethroning the man who had previously been considered the lightweight king, Charles Oliveira, via second-round submission.
Makhachev poured the pressure on from the bell in Abu Dhabi, landing a huge straight left in the first and working his way into control once the fight went to the ground.
The end came after the Brazilian was knocked on to his back by a right hook and Makhachev slipped in a triangle choke that brought the tap at 3 minutes 16 seconds in the second round.
“I have trained so hard for this moment,” the 31-year-old Makhachev said. “All my life, [since] when I was a kid I have been ready for that moment.”
Makhachev’s 22-1 career has been finely tuned by fellow Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov – arguably the greatest fighter the sport has seen – and the now-retired star was beaming at a performance that mirrored many of his own across an unbeaten 29-0 record.
Makhachev handed his man the belt afterwards – while honouring his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the coach who guided both their careers before dying in 2020.
“Many years ago he told me ‘You are going to be champion,’” Makhachev said.
Oliveira had been stripped of the lightweight title for failing to make weight in his clash – and eventual win – against American Justin Gaethje back in May.