UFC 280: Oliveira vs. Makhachev Odds, Predictions and Pre-Weigh-in Hype
Charles Oliveira will get the opportunity to take back the championship belt he lost on the scales when he fights Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 280 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Saturday.
Do Bronx is technically no longer the titleholder after he weighed in a half-pound over the 155-pound championship limit at UFC 274.
However, Oliveira still showed he is the best lightweight fighter right now with a first-round submission win over Justin Gaethje despite having his belt stripped.
Now, the Brazilian gets a shot at redemption, but it won't be easy with Makhachev in the other corner.
The Dagestan native has impressed with his ability to ground and pound opponents and has smashed his way to a 10-fight win streak. However, Oliveira will be the best fighter he's seen during that stretch.
The bantamweight championship is also on the line with T.J. Dillashaw trying to take the title from Aljamain Sterling in the co-main event.
Here's a look at the complete card and the latest pre-fight hype before the weigh-ins.
UFC 280 Fight Card, Schedule and Odds
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV at 2 p.m. ET)
- Islam Makhachev -190 vs. Charles Oliveira +160, vacant lightweight title
- Aljamain Sterling (c) -175 vs. TJ Dillashaw +150, bantamweight title
- Petr Yan -265 vs. Sean O'Malley +225
- Matuesz Gamrot -195 vs. Beneil Dariush +165
- Manon Fiorot -200 vs. Katlyn Chookagian +170
Prelims (ESPNNews at 10 a.m. ET)
- Sean Brady -140 vs. Belal Muhammad +120
- Caio Borralho -195 vs. Makhmud Muradov +165
- Nikita Krylov -175 vs. Volkan Oezdemir +150
- Zubaira Tukhugov -155 vs. Lucas Almeida +135
- Abubakar Nurmagomedov -165 vs. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev +140
- Armen Petrosyan -200 vs. AJ Dobson +170
- Muhammad Mokaev -1150 vs. Malcolm Gordon +750
- Karol Rosa -305 vs. Lina Lansberg +255
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Oliveira: Makhachev Hasn't Earned Title Shot
Charles Oliveria knows a little something about paying dues as a fighter. The former lightweight champion had a unique career arc before becoming a titleholder.
Do Bronx has been fighting with UFC from 2010 but didn't get a crack at a championship until 2021, riding the momentum of an eight-fight win streak that included names like Tony Ferguson and Kevin Lee before they plateaued.
The Brazilian had been tested by fighters such as Jim Miller, Donald Cerrone and Clay Guida before ultimately getting his shot at a championship.
Makhachev, 31, does not have the same kind of resume at this point. The wrestler has a 10-fight win streak, but his best victories have come against Bobby Green and Dan Hooker.
It isn't quite the same, and Oliveira feels he should have at least fought a top-five opponent before getting this chance.
The 33-year-old believes the matchup was made as a favor to Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is part of Makhachev's team.
"It's for the history and everything he's done," Oliveira said in regard to Nurmagomedov's role. "If it was any other guy, [Makhachev] would have to walk the walk that I had to walk, knocking on people's doors, trying to get to a top-five. The reason why this fight is happening is because of him, that's the real."
He has a point. Makhachev has not been battle-tested in the same way Oliveira was by the time he got his chance. He also hasn't been as consistently dominant as Makhachev has been.
Still, Oliveira's experience might be the deciding factor in this one.
Prediction: Oliveira via decision
Sterling Ready to Humble Dillashaw
T.J. Dillashaw raised some eyebrows early this week when he claimed he's, "the greatest bantamweight of all time."
Aljamain Sterling was definitely among those with a disapproving look.
"For him to go out and say he's the greatest bantamweight of all time right now just shows his arrogance which is exactly what I talk about," Sterling told reporters. “And I can't wait to just bring him a little bit of humble pie.”
The two fighters have not shied away from throwing verbal barbs at one another, and it figures to be an exciting contest when the actual fists start flying for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday.
Dillashaw, 36, is attempting to make a massive comeback. He's only fought once since 2019 after serving a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. He took a split-decision win from Cory Sandhagen in July 2021 to put him on course for a title shot.
Sterling comes in as a slight favorite and continues to find ways to come out on top against elite competition. The 33-year-old won via disqualification against Petr Yan before taking a split decision in the rematch.
Now, the champion gets a fighter in Dillashaw where it's unclear whether he's still in his prime after all his inactivity.
Prediction: Sterling via decision
Yan Not Buying into O'Malley Hype
We are about to find out just how good Sean O'Malley really is.
The 27-year-old has demonstrated all the necessary qualities for stardom in the UFC. He's good on the mic, fights with an entertaining style that focuses on finishing bouts and he has a memorable look.
But the question has always been whether he's more style than substance. Marlon "Chito" Vera has been his most difficult test to date and he failed.
However, he's put together three wins and a no-contest since his loss to Vera in August 2020 and has again built up a good amount of hype. UFC 280 opponent Petr Yan still isn't buying it, though.
"Considering the other side of things, you can definitely compare it to Conor-Aldo fight," the Russian told reporters. "Sean is a UFC project and Conor wannabe, but the result of this matchup will be different. You saw my fight with Aldo already."
Yan, 29, defeated Jose Aldo by fifth-round TKO and illustrated why he should be considered the favorite against O'Malley. He's taken out some of the best fighters in the division while the American has been given relatively favorable matchups throughout his time in the UFC.
The difference in their reach is going to be interesting to track, but Yan is explosive and athletic enough to close the distance and win the exchanges.
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