Islam Makhachev defeats Charles Oliveira by submission at UFC 280

Abu Dhabi — Ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from combined martial arts two years in the past as an undefeated champion, Islam Makhachev’s reclaiming that light-weight title felt like a pre-ordained second. That second got here on Saturday.

Makhachev (23-1) seized the UFC’s 155-pound championship by submitting Charles Oliveira (33-9) at UFC 280 inside Etihad Area. The end got here on the 3:16 of the second spherical, by way of arm triangle choke. Oliveira, who noticed an 11-fight win streak snapped, tapped to the choke after he was dropped by a proper hand.

The victory solidified what Nurmagomedov and Makhachev have lengthy known as ‘Father’s Plan.’ Nurmagomedov’s late father, Abdulmanap, who handed away in 2020 as a result of problems of COVID-19, at all times envisioned Nurmagomedov would retire as champion and Makhachev would decide up the place he left off.

“I simply need to say, that is my belt for coach Abdulmanap,” Makhachev mentioned. “A few years in the past, he informed me to coach exhausting and you are going to be champion.”

Makhachev, 31, tried to offer the belt to Nurmagomedov, who was in his nook and instantly lifted him into the air after the win.

In a manner, the work has solely begun for Makhachev. His subsequent problem is predicted to be UFC featherweight champion and consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound champion Alex Volkanovski. Volkanovski (25-1) is coming off his fourth title protection in July and has introduced his intent to maneuver up in weight.

The champion vs. champion battle will virtually actually happen at UFC 284 in February. That pay-per-view occasion will happen on Feb. 12 inside RAC Area in Perth, Australia, Volkanovski’s residence nation.

Makhachev’s championship win mirrored lots of his former wins within the UFC. He has an analogous model to his legendary teammate and mentor, Nurmagomedov. His stifling floor recreation has dominated virtually everybody he is fought, and it set the tone for this title battle at UFC 280.

Oliveira was aggressive on the toes as he often is, however each time the 2 have been in shut quarters, Makhachev’s talent and physicality confirmed. He transformed two of three takedown makes an attempt and accrued greater than 5 minutes of management time in a battle that lasted solely 8:16.

After dictating the place the battle went within the first, Makhachev began to search out success along with his boxing within the second spherical. He dropped Oliveira with a brief counter proper hand after which instantly adopted him to the ground — one thing only a few of Oliveira’s earlier opponents have been prepared to do, due to his submission risk.

For Makhachev, it is his fifth consecutive win by submission, and the most recent comes towards the person with essentially the most submission wins in UFC historical past.

“I at all times ask God why he at all times offers me greater than what I ask,” Makhachev mentioned. “I knew this would not be a simple battle. This man at all times pushes.”