UFC 280: Islam Makhachev Wins the Lightweight Title, O’Malley Beats Yan

Islam Makhachev is the new UFC lightweight champion of the world after beating Charles Oliveira at the UFC 280.

Makhachev managed to submit his rival in the second round, with Oliveira tapping out, with Islam going after an arm triangle. The fight was more than interesting, with both guys imposing a very high tempo right away.

Islam controlled most of the situations, taking the initiative and putting Oliveira on the back foot. Do Bronx tried a jumping front kick, but Islam stopped him with a punch to the body, and after that, Makhachev struck the opponent with a right hook directly to the chin.

With Oliveira falling to the ground, Makhachev immediately went after him and got the advantage on the mat. From then on, the Russian had no problem ending the bout.

Following the same, Islam, together with Khabib, called out Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion, and Volk immediately appeared in the octagon. The two struck a deal to organize a fight in Australia, with the stakes lightweight and featherweight belts and the pound-for-pound No.1 place.

There is a new champion in the UFC and his name is Islam Makhachev! #UFC280 https://t.co/kVgB2hsCxk

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 22, 2022

Meanwhile, Oliveira accepted his loss and told Dana White that he wants another chance to regain the belt, adding that he never turned down the organization when it needed him.

Aljamain Sterling beat TJ Dillashaw with a KO stoppage in the second round. The champion dominantly kept his belt, beating Dillashaw throughout the entire contest.

Though, we need to say that the former two-time champion picked up an injury early on, dislocating his shoulder during one takedown. After that, Sterling was holding Dillashaw on the mat, not allowing him to stand up, but TJ managed to survive the opening sequence.

The doctors brought back Dillashaw’s shoulder between the rounds, but the veteran couldn’t do anything, and the Funkmaster eventually earned a stoppage win. He now has two successful defenses and is waiting for another rival.

Sean O’Malley defeated Petr Yan via a split decision, which was the night’s highlight. The judgment made by the officials stunned everyone in the arena, and even O’Malley didn’t celebrate his victory.

https://twitter.com/ChillemThreebo/status/1583907995880419328

He had more significant strikes than his rival, but on the other side, Yan had six takedowns, while O’Malley had none, and the Russian was in control for more than five minutes, while his rival spent in that position for two seconds.

We saw plenty of excitement, with O’Malley rocking the former champion two times, and Yan responding on one occasion. Apart from that, both guys traded blows in the middle of the ring, but the overall impression is that Yan won. This is the second controversial split decision against him, and we have yet to hear what he thinks about it.

In earlier contests, Beneil Dariush was better than Mateusz Gamrot via unanimous decision. Despite being an underdog, the American of Iranian origin established control over the situation in the octagon, landing left kicks and left hooks to Gamrot’s midsection and head.

In the opening fight of the night, Manon Fiorot from France was better than Katlyn Chookagian in the ladies’ flyweight division. She won via unanimous decision.