Main card: 7 p.m. [57], Following the loss to Primus, Chandler remained out of action for the remainder of 2017. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkies event hub forUFC 280. Its the same thing with Khabib [Nurmagomedov]. Expect Sterling and Dillashaw to play for points before Sterling eventually gets the takedown and takes over. PFL is spending big money on free agents right now -- just ask Shane Burgos -- and Alvarez is a big name with a decorated record of championships in just about every place he has been. I could do that with Islam but Im refusing to because Ive been wrong up to this point about Charles Oliveira. Brett Okamoto and Marc Raimondi offer a status update ahead of the busy fall schedule. He doesn't lose out on anything by chilling right now. And in recent years, he has actually shown he's willing to wait for the right fight -- and that was when he didn't have any legal matters to consider. Were Dillashaw more active, I may lean toward him and his combination of boxing and counter-wrestling. [53], In his first title defense, Chandler faced former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson on November 19, 2016 in the main event of Bellator 165. But realistically, Masvidal is one of the biggest box-office draws the UFC has and a fight against Edwards would likely be a huge event. Masvidal has lost three fights in a row, so some will be up in arms about giving him another title shot (he has lost to Usman twice). Then afterwards I tell myself why do you do that? + Underrated wrestling ability [97] It also earned him the second place Crypto.com "Fan Bonus of the Night" award. Of course not. He began training in boxing at the age of 13, and transitioned to Brazilian jiu-jitsu at 16. I think he finds shots better. Thats given me even more strength to keep progressing. ^ Wrist control, rides, passes, May 7, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Charles Oliveira defends against Justin Gaethje during UFC 274 at Footprint Center. [98], Chandler faced Dustin Poirier on November 12, 2022, at UFC 281. + Solid muay Thai arsenal I am the real champion. Gall was also a wrestler and football captain at Watchung Hills Regional High School. The UFC knows it, and has looked into booking that matchup. [78] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round. [74] He won the fight via knockout in the first round. + Strong inside the clinch Its the best time for any athlete. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, singled out Oliveira as someone who captures the spirit of mixed martial arts. And then, of course, there's the UFC, where he had success before leaving for ONE as a free agent. The obvious answer is Rafael Fiziev, and everyone knows it. Mahjouri: Saturday's main event is a coin toss, the perfect pairing of stakes and intrigue. Oliveira will eventually knock you down or take you down and finish the fight. Gall was born in Green Brook, New Jersey. It wouldn't be shocking to see "Thug Rose" holding up the 115-pound title once again, for a third time, next year. 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Chandler inks new deaL", "UFC 281: Dustin Poirier Overcomes Early Adversity, Subs Michael Chandler in Wild Fight", "UFC 281 bonuses: Poirier vs. Chandler capture FOTN honors", "How everything changed for Michael Chandler in just six minutes", "Michael Chandler adopts second child just two weeks before UFC 274", "Bellator 226 post-event facts: Even without win, Ryan Bader makes history", "Bellator 243 pre-event facts: The many records of Michael Chandler", "MMAjunkie's 'Knockout of the Month' for June: Which brutal finish took the cake? He wants to fight for the belt again. The card features a pair of title fights atop the marquee along with rising contenders primed to take the next step on the road to the gold. Following the victory against Ferguson, Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler via a second-round TKO in May of 2021. Hes 30. This time around, Smith is sticking by Oliveira while making a commitment that he wont make the same mistakes now that hes made in the past. Beginning in 2023, ONE is also running weekly fights in Thailand, and all these moves point to the companys desire to widen its reach around the world. Edwards becoming champion gives him a bit of a rejuvenation in the welterweight division since Usman defeated Masvidal twice and a third fight was unlikely. He has started to put everything together in very special ways during a historic run. UFC 282 live blog: Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev. Charles Oliveiras poor eyesight is no longer an issue. It should be noted it hasn't been that long. [99] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round. If Oliveira wins, not so much. It hasn't really been that long in the grand scheme. Due to a grinding UFC schedule that features cards nearly every week of the year, it's tough for every event to feature fighters the world clamors for. I think when youre as dangerous on the ground as Charles Oliveira, when youre as dangerous as a finisher as he is when youre not afraid of something, it takes away all the power from it, Smith explained. Burns has wanted to come back sooner and Masvidal's timetable is still up in the air, dependent on those aforementioned injuries. [33], Chandler made the first defense of his title against Bellator Season Six Lightweight Tournament Winner Rick Hawn, on January 17, 2013 at Bellator 85. Nevertheless, whether were talking about mat wrestling or transitional grappling in general, it can be hard to get a beat on Makhachev. The problem is that Makhachev almost never makes any and is as difficult as any in the UFC at steering off of his Plan A attack. + Master of sports in combat sambo A professional competitor since 2009, Chandler first gained notoriety when he began competing for Bellator MMA, an organization he fought for from 2010 through 2020. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! All Rights Reserved. The protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov excels at making you fight his game and won't be so easy to bait into a brawl like Oliveira did against the likes of Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje. UFC fall storylines: Can Charles Oliveira keep the streak going? This is all part of Sityodtongs commitment to MMA and the individual martial arts. Another bout between potential contenders is also on the main card when Matuesz Gamrot takes on Beneil Dariush at lightweight. Even if he's not better than Yan and even if he never fully lives up to the enormous hype which has followed him, that doesn't mean O'Malley doesn't still win. [12] He majored in personal finance management services with a minor in real estate. [60] After Primus pulled out of the fight due to injury, Chandler faced Brandon Girtz on the same card. Namajunas could very well take on the winner of that fight with a chance to become a three-time champion. Brookhouse: Until further notice, I simply can't pick against Oliveira. [70] He defeated Outlaw via knockout in the first round. Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC)meets Oliveira (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC)for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 280 on Oct. 22 in Abu Dhabi. Not only can Oliveira turn your grips against you by turning an elbow over the top, but it also gives him a solid sense of operating space to either strike or sneak in quick shots or entries off of level changes given his noted vision issues. Once establishing his range, Oliveira is quick to find creative elbows and destructive uppercuts that often change the complexion of a fight at the drop of a dime. Then he used his rear-naked choke to submit Dustin Poirier a few months later that December, earning the victory only 62 seconds into the third round, before forcing Justin Gaethje to tap out in the first round this past May.. Next up for Oliveira is Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for vacant title, UFC 282: Official scorecards fromLas Vegas, Paddy Pimblett def. Please enter a valid email and try again. Whether Makhachev is sniping crosses down the centerline or mixing the targets of his kicking attacks, the 31-year-old does a solid job of constantly changing his level and variating his shot selection. Makhachev, meanwhile, has steamrolled all of the foes placed against him. Get UFC 282 results for the Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev fight card Saturday night in Las Vegas. "The Underground King" was nicknamed that because of his many accolades that flew under the radar in smaller promotions. + Improved overall striking If you go back to Gaethje's past two fights, there have been layoffs of 12 months and six months between fights. ONE will now be aired on Brazils largest platform, giving a massive distribution boost in a country filled with smart fight fans, especially relevant now with the national pride of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and ONEs new submission grappling divisions and championships. It doesn't get much bigger than the vacant lightweight title bout anchoring the event when Charles Oliveira takes on Islam Makhachev. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, Makhachev has shown to be much more than a sambo practitioner since stepping onto the UFC scene. -- Okamoto. She's only 30 years old. View The Fight Card Order UFC 282 Oliveira vs Makhachev. Thats all I can say. Reach: 74, Stance/striking style: Orthodox/muay Thai, Height: 510 Age: 31 Weight: 155 lbs. During the winning streak, only once has Oliveira gone to decisionand that took place in 2020 after he dominated Tony Ferguson for three full rounds. O'Malley already knows a victory would allow him to leapfrog the field at 135 pounds and secure the next shot at the title. + Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt [12][13], Upon graduating from Northwest High School in 2004, Chandler enrolled at the University of Missouri without an athletic scholarship, walking onto the school's wrestling squad. Won the Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament. He did it again when Oliveira defended the belt against Dustin Poirier and then went three for three after picking Justin Gaethje to beat Oliveira in his most recent outing. But oddly enough, there is really no urgency for him to return anyway. Campbell:As long as his body holds up at 36 following yet another one-year layoff and major knee surgery, Dillashaw has the dynamic skills, well-rounded game and temperament to be a major problem for Sterling. MMA's Top 25 Under 25 Who are the future stars of the sport? [52] He regained the title after knocking Pitbull out in the first round. I am very grateful to Randy for believing in me.. I've been guilty of picking against Oliveira multiple times. Charles Oliveira Post-Fight Interview | UFC 274: Oliveira vs Gaethje UFC 274: Oliveira vs Gaethje took place on Saturday, May 7, 2022 , live from a sold out Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. [54] He won the back-and-forth bout via split decision. I do.. That inactivity likely has to do with why Alvarez, the former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion, and ONE have amicably parted ways. ONE has also committed to paying the largest purses for Muay Thai in the country. Islam isnt 23, 26 or 27. [86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94], Chandler faced former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson on on May 7, 2022 at UFC 274. [95] He won the fight in the second round after knocking out Ferguson with a front kick. Makhachev has never faced a fighter this potent in the particular areas stated above, as I see Slim Charles wrapping up a submission by the second round leaving no doubt who the real king is at 155 pounds. He wanted to put his mark on the Muay Thai world by creating the biggest and best show in the nation and showcasing the incredible Muay Thai. I think he can neutralize the wrestling at the very least. He opted out of competing as an amateur and in August 2009, Chandler made his professional MMA debut with a first-round TKO victory over Kyle Swadley. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). [101], Chandler started dating Brie Willett in 2013 after emailing for almost two years. Remarkably, Oliveira (33-8, 1 NC) still does not receive the credit he deserves, especially after beating top opponents in such dominating fashion. Despite Oliveiras dominance and championship experience over Makhachev, the betting odds arent in his favor. + Consistent pace and pressure Oliveira was stripped of his lightweight title after missing weight before his bout against Justin Gaethje. Barboza comes from Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro. The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Dagestani fighter, listing Makhachev -190 and Oliveira +160 via Tipico Sportsbook. 2004-2022 CBS Interactive. 1 contender fights or money grudge matches. [27], Chandler was expected to compete against Eddie Alvarez for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship at Bellator 54 on October 15, 2011. The industry pioneer in UFC, Bellator and all things MMA (aka Ultimate Fighting). [72] However, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic[73] and eventually took place on August 7, 2020 at Bellator 243. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports. Then were going to celebrate.. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+. He was voted the Most Valuable Wrestler during his senior season and was selected to the All-St. Louis Team. [56] In the first round, the bout was temporarily halted by the referee to check on Chandler, whose left ankle was visibly injured. Oliveira might just be too complete of a fighter for Makhachev, who is great at what he does but not nearly as well-rounded. Oliveira has won 11 fights in a row, so clearly his vision was never too much of a weakness. [36] However, on June 2, it was announced that Jansen had pulled out of the bout due to an injury[37] and faced David Rickels at Bellator 97 instead. As seen in the clip above, Oliveira no matter the scenario or submission variation ALWAYS feeds the head to his left side/arm. As a mixed martial artist, he currently competes in the Middleweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Early life. + 9 KO victories Dillashaw has the motor to go late and the grit to fight through anything in order to get there, similar to how he scratched and clawed through four rounds on one leg last time against Cory Sandhagen. Fight of the Night: Bryan Barberena vs. Robbie Lawler; Performance of the Night: Alex Pereira, Jalin Turner, and Julija Stoliarenko; The following fighters received Crypto.com "Fan Bonus of the Night" awards paid in bitcoin of US$30,000 for first place, US$20,000 for second place, and US$10,000 for third place. [26] He utilized his wrestling skills, repeatedly taking down Freire and controlling the fight. Chandler earned runnerup honors in the 2008 and 2009 Big 12 Championships and was awarded automatic bids to three of the four NCAA Championships he competed in. ^ Diverse submission acumen I think I'll rock with "Do Bronx" this time. Anthony Smith has often heaped praise on Charles Oliveira since Do Bronx became the best lightweight in the UFC, but continuously found himself picking Oliveiras opponents when it came time to make actual predictions for his fights. [50] He won the bout via technical knockout in the second round. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: mma | pageType: stories | There is just something about Oliveira's striking improvements and record-setting submission game that makes me side with him, especially considering the leap in competition for Makhachev. Till just freaking gave up there: Fighters react to Dricus Du Plessis UFC 282 win over Darren Till. [17] He won the bout via submission in under a minute. Even if I didnt have a reason, Id still pick Charles Oliveira.. + Hard leg kicks Never known as the flashiest trash talker, Oliveira has the opportunity to step back into the cage next week at 280. [44] He lost the back-and-forth bout by split decision. Dillashaw is certainly no slouch, but I have doubts about how far he can take this comeback having only fought once in the last 33 months. An offensive marauder who can Thai march forward behind a high guard, Charles Oliveira offers a plethora of problems on the feet. Watch UFC live with fuboTV: Start a free trial today! Subsequently, they got married in 2014. He was born prematurely at 28 weeks and given a 50/50 chance of surviving past infancy. 1 contender fights or money grudge matches. Things are constantly changing in the UFC, but I wouldn't expect Covington to make his next move until there's a little more clarity on a date for the Edwards-Usman trilogy and Chimaev's situation. [76], On September 17, 2020, it was announced that Chandler had signed a contract with the UFC and served as a backup for a title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. 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. That said, the tougher the opponent, the more hesitant O'Malley has been in the Octagon. + 15 first-round finishes Outside of the tough loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 205 in November 2016, Alvarez had a nice run with the promotion and owns a win over Justin Gaethje. 2-ranked welterweight at the moment, and that's unlikely to change any time soon, even if he remains inactive. The main event featured the UFC If not for a title shot -- which Namajunas deserves given her two wins over Zhang and the tight loss to Esparza -- a trilogy bout with Jessica Andrade could be fun, too. The bout was stopped in favor of Primus via technical knockout, earning him the Bellator Lightweight Championship. "Suga" is looking to enter the title picture against his toughest competition to date. 3 lightweights, respectively, in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings Smith admits hes done doubting the Brazilian. [82], Chandler faced former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021. That's not true. [20], In his next Bellator appearance, Chandler competed on the Bellator 32 card on October 14, 2010, against Chris Page in a welterweight contest. Yan has the patience to avoid recklessness and the power to make O'Malley wither. [43] Chandler instead faced Will Brooks for the interim lightweight title. Depending on what happens at UFC 280, Gaethje's 2023 looks like it's going to start off with him waiting for something good to come along. Santiago Ponzinibbio wants to stay active and face a top 10 opponent after pulling off a comeback finish at UFC 282. + 21 submission wins Secondly, his experience as an amateur fighter. [24], Chandler then faced Lloyd Woodard at Bellator 40 and won via unanimous decision to move onto the finals of the tournament. The main event for UFC 280 features a fantastic lightweight title fight between two men who have a process that involves pressure. Lightweight debut. A victory will reunite him with the belt, one he believes was wrongfully taken from him, as well as finally provide him with a level of respect he has long been seeking. He's looking at title shots, No. Sometimes your mental state is high, but your physical state is going down. He defeated Freire via unanimous decision to win $100,000 and a shot at the Bellator Lightweight World Championship. There is also a new deal soon to be announced with Globo in Brazil, Sports Illustrated has learned, which would generate a lot of momentum for ONE, especially following the successful Prime Video debut. When will Islam do that?. Makhachev was knocked out in his lone loss, which occurred seven years ago, and Oliveira will be searching to expose holes in his game. Thats the best case for Islam is that he gets back to his feet. Chandler compiled a 3115 record against Big 12 opponents and a 10040 overall record in his four years as a starter. Gilbert Burns joins Brett Okamoto to explain why he wants a fight with Jorge Masvidal in the UFC. UFC 280 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Mahjouri: Sterling and Dillashaw both have awkward footwork and plenty of wrestling experience in their back pockets. Im done doubting him, Smith said. Jared Gordon at UFC 282: Best photos, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Height: 510 Age: 33 Weight: 155 lbs. 1: Edwards defends his title against Usman in a trilogy bout in the first quarter of 2023, and Covington slides in as the next title challenger. The win moved Chandler into the semi-finals. Namely, because he's the alleged victim in a criminal battery case involving his former opponent Jorge Masvidal. Makhachev, hes following someone elses way, says Oliveira, addressing whether there is too much hype surrounding Makhachev. [96] The win earned Chandler his second Performance of the Night bonus award. Masvidal hasn't needed surgery, but he has been hurt in his past few fights and has been taking this time off to heal. Covington has been extremely quiet since the alleged attack, which is not unusual for someone involved in an active case. Can't get enough boxing and MMA? For that reason, Ill side with the fighter who thrives in chaos and has proven that he can walk through the fire. A Dillashaw win isn't out of the question by any stretch, but Sterling may simply be able to outwork a rusty fighter in a very close bout. Sign up for the MMA Junkie newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Armed with flawless vision, Oliveira claims he can even see the future. + Superb transitional grappler [13] He also built a close relationship with twotime Dan Hodge Trophy winner and eventual Bellator MMA World Champion Ben Askren and twotime AllAmerican and eventual UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley. I think Islam is better overall. I am going to knock Islam out in the first round, Oliveira says. [75], In August 2020 it was reported that Chandler was a free agent following his victory at Bellator 243. Right now, it's up in the air whether Chimaev's next fight will be at welterweight or middleweight. UFC 94: St-Pierre vs. Penn 2 was a mixed martial arts (MMA) pay-per-view event promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on January 31, 2009. I did the same thing with Chandler. Santiago Ponzinibbio wants to stay active and face a top 10 opponent after pulling off a comeback finish at UFC 282. That said, Moises was able to briefly befuddle Makhachev with leg lock attacks off of his back which is something worth noting when you consider the leg entanglements that Oliveria successfully utilized to thwart the ground striking of Kevin Lee. [104], Chandler owns Training Camp, a fitness and MMA gym in Nashville. The biggest PPV event of the year is finally here. Akin to his now-coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev also scores a majority of his takedowns off of chaining attacks in clinch space. Yan is also back in action when he takes on rising contender Sean O'Malley. And provided he can hurt Yan enough early to try and activate the former champion's desperate want to avoid a three-fight losing skid, O'Malley just might be able to line him up with the type of explosion which could end the fight. Good question. Dobson +180, middleweights, Muhammad Mokaev -1000 vs. Malcolm Gordon +650, flyweights, Karol Rosa -300 vs. Lina Lansberg +240, women's bantamweights. Today, we look at the main event for UFC 280. + Good takedown ability Of course, there are some potential dangers that were working on where Islam needs to be careful. Please check your email for a confirmation. Plus, welterweight contenders Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady are set to throw down in the featured prelim bout with plenty at stake. Next up for Oliveira is Makhachev (22-1), who has rattled off 10 victories in a row. It'll be good to see the action fighter and all-around good guy coming back for some high-profile fights in the U.S. at age 38. ^ Solid variance in shot selection It is the largest MMA promotion company in the world as of 2011. UFC Fight Night womens flyweight bout: Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Arajo, UFC Fight Night bantamweight bout: Cub Swanson vs. Jonathan Martinez, UFC Fight Night flyweight bout: Brandon Royval vs. Askar Askarov, UFC Fight Night middleweight bout: Jordan Wright vs. Duko Todorovi, UFC Fight Night bantamweight bout: Raphael Assuno vs. Victor Henry. [81] Although he managed to drop Oliveira in the first, Chandler lost the fight via technical knockout early in the second round. However, muscle memory is a major factor thats hard to control in the chaos of a fight. Fiziev is going to remain an option for Gaethje's next fight, but we'll see how this month's title fight impacts the landscape. It produces events worldwide that showcase 12 weight divisions (eight men's The main event for UFC 280 features a fantastic lightweight title fight between two men who have a process that involves pressure. Saturday, Oct. 15, UFC Apex, Las Vegas He's long, explosive and creative. Namajunas lost her title to Carla Esparza at UFC 274 in May. Sterling's win over Yan was narrow, but it showed growth in the aftermath of the fight he appeared to be losing 11 months prior before a disqualification earned him the title. [47], Chandler faced Derek Campos on June 19, 2015 at Bellator 138. [46] He lost the bout via technical knockout in the fourth round. Follow the UFC 282 live blog for Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev, the light heavyweight title fight on Saturday in Las Vegas. 6-keys: media/spln/mma/reg/free/stories, at But there are a number of prominent fighters whose next bouts should be coming around the corner. I think that [Oliveira] attacks submission after submission after submission until eventually Islams going to have to retract and pull out of something and I think that hes going to stand up straight to his feet, Smith said. A slow start is likely, but I expect Yan will take over in the second round and get O'Malley out of there before 15 minutes are up. Let's see what happens between Zhang Weili and Esparza at UFC 281 on Nov. 12. Challenges associated with running events in consideration of the virus were much more complicated in Asia than in the U.S. Alvarez fought twice in April 2021: The first was a weird bout in which he had a loss rightfully overturned to a no contest due to strikes to the back of the head, and the second was a decision loss to Rae Yoon Ok. ONE has historically not kept its high-paid North American and South American talents very active, and Alvarez fought just four times for the promotion since 2019, including those two bouts in one month. Yan is a measured and slow starter, but he should be conscious to pick things up after the first round. In 2021, she fought more than once in a year for the first time since 2017. Brookhouse: When he is on his game, Sterling is a very effective fighter who can change a fight on a single mistake from his opponent. That is in addition to their current two-event-per-month model. ET on ESPN+. It could be another massive year for Masvidal if it all falls into place. UFC EVENTS BELLATOR EVENTS PFL EVENTS ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS FULL CALENDAR FIGHT FINDER GUIDE. Possibility No. Thats right, Makhachev nine times out of 10 will either shoot takedowns with his head on his right side (Oliveiras left) or sag his head off to that same side due to his propensity to establish underhooks or leg reaps off of his left side. This is probably the reason why Oliveira does some of his best striking when either flowing to or from his favored single-collar-tie positions. He looked positively frozen by the threat of Pedro Munhoz in his last outing and Munhoz wasn't doing much in that fight. The timing works in ONEs favor with Kade Ruotolo competing for the second-ever submission grappling title next week at ONE on Prime Video 3. He also underwent nose surgery in June, which required time off. But if it's Edwards, he could be next. ^ Strong takedowns from the clinch [49], Chandler rematched David Rickels on November 6, 2015 at Bellator 145. Its not going to be your typical singles and doubles, s*** like that, but I would not be shocked to see him end up on the fence and see him start crawling to some weird clinch and dragging Islam down, tripping him up or something like that. Following the victory against Ferguson, Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler via a second-round TKO in May of 2021. That's what Gaethje will be doing. Subscribe to ESPN+ to get exclusive live UFC events, weigh-ins and more; Dana White's Contender Series; and more exclusive MMA content. Masvidal's place as one of the biggest stars in the sport has not evaporated. It's not a question of if Makhachev will take Oliveira down but, instead, how many minutes each round he will control from top position and whether Oliveira, the most prolific finisher in UFC history, can establish enough submission threat to dissuade him. Will we see Jon Jones again? He hasnt fought the level of competition and he might beat Gaethje, he might beat Poirier but like you said, he hasnt so we cant use that. His striking and grappling place him on an entirely different level, and a win here would instantly become his crowning achievement. Dont get me wrong: Makhachev is a real talent who many, including myself, have been high on for over half a decade now. -- Raimondi. Makhachevs patented check right hook is still a key player in regards to countering presence thats worth watching out for in this fight, but I suspect we see him press more of his clinch striking in this matchup. Given enough time, Smith expects Oliveira to either find an opening to force Makhachev to tap out or perhaps force the fight back to the feet where he feels Oliveira is clearly the better fighter. Campbell:Is Yan a better overall fighter with a much more respected resume versus elite competition? Following the victory against Ferguson, Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler via a second-round TKO in May of 2021. The bout at 280 represents a significant proving ground for both fighters. Sean Keith Sherk (born August 5, 1973) is a retired American mixed martial artist and former UFC Lightweight Champion.Sherk competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and was one of the first combatants to have been a championship competitor in multiple weight divisions (having also competed for the UFC Welterweight Championship).He was the second UFC Lightweight As a result we've seen headlining fights that have been fantastic but truly lacked star power. Right now, he hasn't fought in five months, so we're still well within a pretty normal range for someone of his stature. 2022 ABG-SI LLC. Considering each fighters submission sensibilities, Ill be curious to see how they implement their strengths. With so much happening on Saturday night, let's take a closer look at the full fight card with the latest odds from Caesars Sportsbook before we get to our staff predictions and picks for the PPV portion of the festivities. Islam, he just hasnt been tested, Smith said. Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler UFC 281 MSG New York Fight Video Replay Livestream Full HD Part 1 Sluggers Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler will fight at UFC 281 from Madison Square Garden in New York City ( Sat., Nov. 12, 2022). However, Oliveira, too, is not beyond getting knocked off course, as his shelling style has traditionally opened him up to body damage and power shots that can pierce around the guard. But if Makhachev is trying to get offensive with his takedowns like most of us suspect, then do not be surprised to see Oliveira revert to his home of front-choke counters. In Makhachevs corner will be his mentor, Nurmagomedov, who declared him as a future champion immediately after he retired undefeated and vacated his lightweight title in October 2020. ^ Dangerous knees and elbows [21], In February 2011, it was announced that Chandler would be a part of the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament. Can you guess which side Makhachevs head sags off to during shot and clinch entries? Then he used his rear naked choke to submit Dustin Poirier a few months later that December, earning the victory only 62 seconds into the third round, before forcing Justin Gaethje to tap out in the first round this past May. Oliveira is masterful from most front-headlock variations, displaying the acumen to shift the dynamic of a position as he unleashes interweaving submission attempts as if hes firing them off from an M-60 machine gun. How long will he have to wait? Of course, adventure only goes so far when there's money on the line. She is also helping her grandmother, who just emigrated to the U.S. from Lithuania, get settled in her new country. Fellow southpaw Adriano Martins may have been able to audit Makhachevs early aggression with a perfectly placed check hook at UFC 192, but the Dagestani fighter has been steadily making improvements to his striking since his lone setback. It might be a relatively inactive one. As of November 2, 2021, he is #5 in the UFC lightweight rankings. Aside from an excellent utilization of front teeps, the Brazilian standout also has a long, prodding jab that he likes to use to set up right hands and leg kicks off of. [83] After a back-and-forth fight, Chandler lost the bout via unanimous decision. That fight could happen in January, but it's nowhere near decided. I suspect well see Makhachev lean much more on his trips from the clinch given his opponents propensity to snatch necks in this space, but no one should be underestimating Oliveira here. The top five lightweights are Oliveira, Poirier, Gaethje, Makhachev, Chandler. Now, it is not uncommon to see Makhachev play at a much safer range when looking to set up his shots and strikes. Now, with Oliveira scheduled to face Islam Makhachev in the UFC 280 main event a matchup between the No. [79] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. [71], A rematch with Benson Henderson was rescheduled to take place at Bellator 244 on June 6, 2020. The very best of Dillashaw remains as difficult to beat as anyone in this historically deep division. - Powered By PickUp, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. [39], A rematch with Eddie Alvarez took place on November 2, 2013 in the main event of Bellator 106. [58] He won the fight by unanimous decision. On the ground Makhachev might be able to maul the Brazilian, but he has to be careful for every second to not get caught in a submission. Keep an eye on movement at the top of the division, and keep an eye on Conor McGregor's potential comeback. Manny Pacquiao vs. DK Yoo: Live round-by-round updates. UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Araujo All of that is to say, it's very unclear when we will see Covington fight again. Recently, however, he was highlighted by one of the sports icons, as Randy Couture recently singled out Oliveira as someone who captures the spirit of mixed martial artsand that praise did not go unnoticed. In Makhachevs corner will be his mentor, Nurmagomedov, who declared him as a future champion immediately after he Or when youre 27 and at your physical peak, but mentally youre not there yet, because youre just 27, not 31. When those are the only options that make sense, sometimes it takes time for one to materialize. Please check your email for a confirmation. Stranger things have happened. Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC 280, all from the incomparable expert who's up more than $13,000 on MMA in the past three-plus years, and find out. He also has more ways to potentially win, meaning Sterling's chances somewhat depend upon him executing his gameplan effectively and maintaining control. -- Raimondi. While we can't ignore Dillashaw's shady past in terms of drug testing, we must equally admit that age, injury and layoffs have not done much to downgrade his elite standing. Bonus awards. Im grateful to be recognized by Randy Couture, Oliveira says. Possibility No. The deal with Globo in Brazil is significant. Skill for skill, Namajunas is still probably the best in the division and would be favored in most of those matchups. From a contrast in styles standpoint, Makhachev is the worst type of opponent for him. Oliveira previously held the title before missing weight in his last bout against Justin Gaethje. Six legit future opponents for Conor McGregor not named Floyd Mayweather, he is seeking the biggest and best fights available, Covington dominated him in a five-round grudge match, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The former two-time UFC women's strawweight champion has been very clear that there is more to her life than just fighting. Sign up for the Now, does this guarantee Oliveira a win by submission? The year 2012 was the 20th year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. Khabib Nurmagomedov expects Islam Makhachev to dominate Charles Oliveira. 2012 started with UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes and ended with UFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2.The year saw the successful UFC Featherweight title defense by Jos Aldo, the crowning of Carlos Condit as the Interim (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC). But given O'Malley's huge upside commercially and the time already missed for suspensions and slow matchmaking, it's time to find out right now. Then there's Bellator, with a lightweight grand prix tournament scheduled for next year, which could be right up Alvarez's alley as someone who spent years fighting in Japan in similar events. I had the surgery, and my eyes are 100 percent perfect, says Oliveira, speaking through a translator. [15], Chandler made his Strikeforce debut on November 20, 2009 at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears where he fought Richard Bouphanouvong, He won the bout via technical knockout in the second round. Its a time when your mental and physical state should be in synergy. The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses. I was robbed, Oliveira says. Hes honestly the only guy Ive ever done it with where Ill praise him and praise him and praise him and then pick against him. Darren Till needs some time to "rethink stuff" after falling to a three-fight losing skid with his defeat at UFC 282. ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong spoke at the World Congress of Sport earlier this week, when he announced a 24-country Middle East deal in the Middle East and North Africa. One of the most dangerous fighters in the lightweight division enters UFC 280 seeking to reclaim his titleand he doesnt plan to look back. Cause I have a lot of respect for that guy but even going into the Poirier fight, well Poiriers kind of the uncrowned champion here and I believe in Charles Oliveira but I think Poirier gets this done. 3:00 pm ET, Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC 280, Pimblett remains undefeated, beats Gordon, Teixeira vs. Hill title fight added to UFC 283, Rosas Jr. becomes youngest winner in UFC history, UFC 282 odds, parlay, best bets, prop picks, Rosas Jr., 18, sets record in UFC debut with victory, Former champion Dillashaw retires, per reports, Pavlovich smashes Tuivasa in under one minute, Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson fight set for UFC 249 in April, McGregor set to return at UFC 246 in January vs. 'Cowboy', Islam Makhachev -190 vs. Charles Oliveira +160, vacant lightweight title, Aljamain Sterling (c) -175 vs. TJ Dillashaw +150, bantamweight title, Petr Yan -270 vs. Sean O'Malley +220, bantamweights, Matuesz Gamrot -190 vs. Beneil Dariush +160, lightweights, Manon Fiorot -210 vs. Katlyn Chookagian +175, women's flyweights, Sean Brady -140 vs. Belal Muhammad +120, welterweights, Caio Borralho -200 vs. Makhmud Muradov +170, middleweights, Nikita Krylov -170 vs. Volkan Oezdemir +145, light heavyweights, Abubakar Nurmagomedov -165 vs. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev +140, welterweights, Armen Petrosyan -220 vs. A.J. 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