Everything that went down at UFC 280: Oliveria Vs. Makhachev

Islam Makhachev is the UFC lightweight championship of the world.

UFC returned to Abu Dhabi on Saturday 22 October, as Charles Oliveira took on Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight championship at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

Islam Makhachev won the UFC lightweight title after a stunning second-round stoppage of Charles Oliveira in front of a sold-out crowd.

Dagestan’s Makhachev looked dominant in the opening round, before stopping former champion Oliveira with an arm-triangle choke at 3:17 of the second period, improving to 23-1 and extending his current unbeaten run to eleven fights.

The new champion was quick to pay tribute to the thousands of fans who came out to support him in Abu Dhabi. “I am very happy to take this belt in Abu Dhabi. You can see how the whole arena supports me. Thank you Abu Dhabi, and thank you all the people who support me.”

Elsewhere, Aljamain Sterling retained his bantamweight world title, with a second-round stoppage win over TJ Dillashaw, and fellow 135lbs standout Sean O’Malley picked up the biggest win of his career via split decision over number one contender Petr Yan.

It was a big night for two fighters with strong links to the Middle East. Iran-born Beneil Dariush extended his unbeaten run in the lightweight division to eight fights by scoring a unanimous decision win over Polish prospect Mateusz Gamrot. Belal Muhammad, who was born to Palestinian parents, picked up an impressive TKO win over Sean Brady, making him unbeaten now in his last nine outings in the welterweight division. 

“The crowd and the energy was amazing,” said the 22-3-1NC Muhammad. “It is one of those things that is going to live in my memory forever, I love Abu Dhabi and need to fight here every chance I get because the last two times I was here I got a finish so let’s keep that going.”

For Dariush, the win has him looking towards the lightweight title. “He (Gamrot) might be the best guy I have fought, it was a very satisfying victory. My day will come, if that performance, beating a guy like that, if that’s not the way to ask (for a title shot) then I don’t know how to ask – if we are talking about merit I don’t think there is anyone else. 

Here are the results in full:

Islam Makhachev defeats Charles Oliveira by submission (arm triangle choke) at 3:17 of R2

Aljamain Sterling defeats TJ Dillashaw by TKO (strikes) at 3:44 of R2

Sean O’Malley defeats Petr Yan by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Beneil Dariush defeats Mateusz Gamrot by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Manon Fiorot defeats Katlyn Chookagian by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Belal Muhammad defeats Sean Brady by TKO (strikes) at 4:47 of R2

Caio Borralho defeats Makhmud Muradov by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Nikita Krylov defeats Volkan Oezdemir by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Abubakar Nurmagomedov defeats Gadzhi Omargadzhiev via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Armen Petrosyan defeats AJ Dobson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Muhammad Mokaev defeats Malcolm Gordon by submission (armbar) at 4:26 of R3 

Karol Rosa defeats Lina Lansberg by majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)

GO: Visit www.ufc.com for more information.