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Two huge title fights headline a blockbuster card in the UAE capital on October 22
Abu Dhabi: Following an exhilarating UFC® 279 last weekend, UFC brings the world famous Octagon® to Abu Dhabi next month for its next numbered event with a stacked card for UFC® 280: OLIVEIRA vs. MAKHACHEV which has been touted as one of the year’s biggest events.
The headline sees Charles Oliveira take on Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight title, with the Brazilian looking to reclaim the title in the Etihad Arena on October 22.
Oliveira (33-8-1NC) comes into Abu Dhabi on the back of an 11-fight win streak, and only lost the title when his missed weight ahead of his last fight against Justin Gaethje. A win that night ensured the title would remain vacant, as the Brazilian extended the UFC record for most finishes (19) and submissions (16).
His opponent, Makhachev (22-1), will be a huge crowd favourite in Abu Dhabi. The Muslim fighter from Dagestan is part of former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team, and goes into the fight having won his last ten fights, across a span of more than six years. Touted as the successor to Khabib, this will be his biggest test to date as he fights for a UFC title for the first time.
If that wasn’t enough, the bantamweight division will see its biggest night of the year in Abu Dhabi. Champion Aljamain Sterling puts his title on the line against seasoned veteran TJ Dillashaw. Sterling (21-3) took the title from Petr Yan in last year, and defended against the Russian in April. A UFC fighter for the last eight years, and professional since 2011, is unbeaten in his last seven fights. Dillashaw (17-4) is a former two-time champion in the division and holds the records for most title fight wins, most overall wins, and most wins via KO/TKO in lightweight history.
Staying in the division, another fight with huge repercussions is Petr Yan against Sean O’Malley. Yan (16-3), is still ranked number one and will be looking to fight again for the title sooner rather than later. Standing in his way will be O’Malley. Currently ranked 13th in the division, he comes with a reputation for entertainment. The American (15-1-1NC) burst onto the scene in Dana White’s Contender Series and has since gone on to set records for his striking accuracy and significant strikes landed per minute in the bantamweight division.
Born to Palestinian parents, Belal Muhammad (21-3-1NC) will enjoy plenty of support against American Sean Brady. This is a pivotal clash in the welterweight division as Muhammad, unbeaten in his last eight fights, looks to push on from his current number five ranking. Brady, despite only have five UFC fights under his belt is already ranked eighth in the 170lbs class, and is unbeaten in his 15-fight professional career.
There will be huge local interest when Beneil Dariush (21-1-4) takes to the Octogan® to take on Mateusz Gamrot (21-1-1NC) in the lightweight division. The Iranian is on a seven-fight win streak and will be looking to build on his number six ranking.
Meanwhile in the women’s flyweight division, Manon Fiorot (9-1), a name familiar to UAE fight fans will take on the biggest challenge of her career to date. The former UAE Warriors fighter sits seventh in the flyweight class and will take on number one ranked Katlyn Chookagian (18-4) in a contest which will have huge baring at the top of the division.
The confirmed card to date (bout order is TBC)
(#1) Charles Oliveira vs. (# 4) Islam Makhachev - lightweight title bout
(C) Aljamain Sterling vs. (#2) T.J. Dillashaw - bantamweight title bout
(#1) Petr Yan vs. (#13) Sean O’Malley - bantamweight bout
(#6) Beneil Dariush vs. (#9) Mateusz Gamrot - lightweight bout
(#1) Katlyn Chookagian vs. (#7) Manon Fiorot - women's flyweight bout
(#5) Belal Muhammad vs. (#8) Sean Brady - welterweight bout
Makhmud Muradov vs. Caio Borralho - middleweight bout
(#8) Volkan Oezdemir (#11) Nikita Krylov - light heavyweight bout
(#3) Marina Rodriguez vs (#8) Amanda Lemos - women's strawweight bout
Zubaira Tukhugov vs Lucas Almeida - featherweight bout
Jamie Mullarkey vs Magomed Mustafaev - lightweight bout
UFC® 280: OLIVEIRA vs MAKHACHEV will be the latest event held in the UAE capital as part of the partnership between the UFC®, and the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) which began in 2019.
October will also see the return of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week running from October 17 -23, anchored by UFC® 280 and consisting of other sports and entertainment ancillary events, powered by Flash Entertainment.
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