A UFC lightweight champion will be crowned at UFC 280. Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev headlines a stacked pay-per-view on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The card also features UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling vs. former titleholder TJ Dillashaw.
Oliveira was forced to vacate the UFC lightweight title in May over a controversial and confusing weight miss, yet punched a ticket back to his unclaimed crown with a first-round finish of Justin Gaethje. Makhachev — the pupil and spiritual successor of undefeated former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov — has mauled his way to a world title shot after a nearly spotless 12-year run in MMA.
Elsewhere on the card, bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling looks to continue his incredible run when he takes on former champ TJ Dillashaw in the co-main event. Sterling secured a split decision win over Petr Yan earlier this year to silence the critics of his winning the title from Yan by disqualification in their first meeting. Dillashaw is back after a year away because of injury and also not too far away from a two-year drug suspension that cost him the title.
How to watch UFC 280 prelims
Date: Oct. 22 | Location: Etihad Arena — Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Time: 10:30 a.m. ET for early prelims
Channel: ESPNNews | Stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
How to watch UFC 280 main card
Date: Oct. 22 | Location: Etihad Arena — Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Stream: ESPN+ PPV | Price: $74.99
Now, here’s a look at the UFC 280 main fight card and betting odds via Caesars Sportsbook.
The time for talking is over. The Octagon door is ready to be closed with some of the best fighters on the planet ready to battle it out at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.
It doesn’t get much bigger than the vacant lightweight title bout anchoring the event when Charles Oliveira takes on Islam Makhachev. Oliveira previously held the title before missing weight in his last bout against Justin Gaethje. He went on to defeat Gaethje by first-round submission, continuing an insane run of victories for the Brazilian as he looks to etch his name in the history books.
Makhachev, meanwhile, has steamrolled all of the foes placed against him. The Russian native has won 10 in a row since his lone pro defeat in 2015 with his last four coming by stoppage.
Elsewhere on the card, bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling looks to continue his incredible run when he takes on former champ TJ Dillashaw in the co-main event. Sterling secured a split decision win over Petr Yan earlier this year to silence the critics of his winning the title from Yan by disqualification in their first meeting. Dillashaw is back after a year away because of injury and also not too far away from a two-year drug suspension that cost him the title.