Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev UFC 280 Abu Dhabi Fight Video Replay Livestream Full HD Part 1

Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev will fight at UFC 280 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Saturday 22 October 2022.

Oliveira may technically be fighting to begin his second title reign, and he may be an underdog on the betting odds. Oliveira is still the world 's top light heavyweight and rides into battle with one of the greatest wins in UFC history. He 's taking on arguably his toughest challenge yet in enemy territory. For a reason, Makhachev is favored. Makhachev has rarely lost a round while carving his way up the lightweight ladder following Khabib 's foot steps. He has yet to face much adversity, simply overwhelming experienced foes with his sambo skills.

Let 's take a closer look at the keys to victory.

Makhachev does his best wrestling. Fighters try to rely on footwork to frustrate great wrestlers like Makhachev, only to wind up on the cage. Oliveira has another option than to adjust his game to his opponent— he can step up to Makhachev and jam the ball into his gut.

Opposite the Southpaw, the right snap kick will be very open. If Oliveira can establish that distance weapon, Makhachev 's takedown attempts will be interrupted. Plus, wrestlers like to be on the front foot, so Makhachev 's takedowns will generally be trickier if Oliveira is forcing him back.

Attritional damage should be a goal for Oliveira. A big right hand or snatch of the neck could end the fight immediately, but if that does not happen early on, breaking Makhachev 's legs and body will make it more likely to finish late. Oliveira has 25 minutes to make this happen .

The great thing about being such a dominant ground fighter is that the strategy never changes. Makhachev has to be careful— he does not want to dive into a guillotine or run into knee injuries, but scoring top position and winning from there is still the end goal.

The most precarious part of Makhachev 's plan is perhaps entering the shot. Assuming Oliveira comes at him aggressive, it will be a test of his striking chops. If Makhachev can parry a kick or time a slip well, that could be all he needs to get the wrestling going, but he will have to be very careful he does not mistime his entrance.

The Lightweight division will once again have a champion.

Oliveira is gunning for greatest Lightweight of all time status, and his prime competition is Khabib Nurmagomedov. Obviously, Makhachev is not a one- to- one analogue for "The Eagle", but it 's pretty damn close! Considering Oliveira also carved up most of Nurmagomedov 's toughest challengers, taking out his protégé would be quite the compelling argument. More important that theoretical GOAT debates is picking up the 155- pound title once again.

As for Makhachev, dethroning a dominant champion to cap off an 11- fight win streak is also one hell of a statement. Taking out Oliveira should also help separate him from Khabib 's shadow, as "Do Bronx" is arguably a higher peak than any of Nurmagomedov 's championship opponents.

Either way, Alexander Volkanovski awaits the victor.