A new champion will be crowned and a serious challenger will emerge in one of the organisation’s most competitive weight classes
Abu Dhabi: The countdown is on to UFC® 280: OLIVEIRA vs. MAKHACHEV, taking place on October 22, at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi - and the anticipation continues to build.
The card is stacked from head to toe with huge match-ups, including two title fights, no fewer than 13 top-10 ranked fighters, and several bouts which can shape the future of their respective divisions, and the lightweight division is one of them.
Headlining the card will be a fight for the vacant 155lbs world title, which will see Brazil’s Charles Oliveira take on Islam Makhachev from Dagestan.
Oliveira is the former lightweight champion, having had the title stripped after missing weight ahead of his last fight against Justin Gaethje. Number one ranked Oliveira (33-8-1nc) went on to win that fight, and now has the chance to reclaim his crown in Abu Dhabi. Oliveira has not been to these shores before but will bring will him records for the most finishes (19) and submission wins (16) - and once he takes on Makhachev will have, incredibly, fought all other top-five lightweights, in just 18 months.
Standing in his way is Islam Makhachev (23-1), currently ranked fourth in the division and riding a dominant 10-fight win-streak dating back to 2015. Presenting a huge opportunity for the Dagestan fighter, a teammate of Khabib Nurmagomedov, and someone familiar to fighting in the UAE capital. Also on the main card is a fascinating encounter between Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot. Dariush (21-1-4) brings with him regional interest as he was born in Iran, and has steadily climbed the ranks of the lightweight division, amassing a seven-fight win-streak, getting to number six in the rankings. A win in Abu Dhabi would push his credentials for a top-five spot as he looks to be in the conversation for a title shot.
Standing across from him in the Octagon® will be Poland’s Mateusz Gamot (21-1-1NC), a rising star in the division who finds himself ranked in the top-10 on the back of four impressive victories. He headlined last time out at UFC FIGHT NIGHT: TSARUKYAN vs. GAMROT, picking up a decision win, but will now appear on the main card of a numbered event for the first time, in what will be his biggest challenge to date. A win with further enhance his standing as a breakout star, and have him looking towards the top five.
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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