I think Islam is better overall. The 24-country MENA deal is so valuable, as it is lucrative, in terms of money and tapping into the worlds fight fans. Oliveira has repeatedly proven that avoiding the ground game will only delay the inevitable. [79] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. I'd love to say we'll see him get back to two appearances in 2023, but with the way the lightweight division currently looks, there just aren't a ton of obvious fights for Gaethje right now. 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. Prelims: 4 p.m. You'll now receive the top MMA Junkie stories each day directly in your inbox. ET on ESPN+ He has started to put everything together in very special ways during a historic run. Look for Yan to work over O'Malley's legs at range and just put out enough output that freezes O'Malley and leads to a clear decision. + 21 submission wins Reach: 70.5, Camp: American Kickboxing Academy (California), Stance/striking style: Southpaw/kickboxing. Pint-sized social media star Hasbulla Magomedov will be in the corner of Islam Makhachev for his world title fight with Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi later this month. I can see everything now.. The former two-time UFC women's strawweight champion has been very clear that there is more to her life than just fighting. +/- 4-1 against UFC-level southpaws, + Combat sambo world champion There, Chandler became a three-time Bellator Lightweight Champion and was the winner of the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament. ^ Excellent trips, knees and tosses (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC). 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. There's no question about it. Makhachev also employs stellar legwork that goes beyond his standing clinch work, as its not uncommon to see the 12-year pro incorporate crab rides in conjunction with back attacks (as seen in his finish of Thiago Moises). The uncrowned lightweight king also keeps a solid left hook on a hair-trigger, either deploying it as a countering check or attaching it to the end of combinations. UFC title matchup projections: Which champions are most at risk of losing their gold? Campbell:The scariest part of Oliveira's recent run of dramatic finishes might be what no one talks about: the fact that he welcomes so much danger to create the kind of chaos that melts his opponents. Makhachev presents real problems. [62], In late June 2018, reports surfaced that Chandler's contract with Bellator would expire imminently, making him a free agent. Now, it is not uncommon to see Makhachev play at a much safer range when looking to set up his shots and strikes. Following the victory against Ferguson, Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler via a second-round TKO in May of 2021. [77], Chandler made his promotional debut against Dan Hooker at UFC 257 on January 24, 2021. UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen (also known as UFC Fight Night 213, UFC on ESPN+ 71 and UFC Vegas 63) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on October 29, 2022, at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States. When youre not afraid of that and you have no fear of it at all, I think that takes away some of the power from it. Whether Makhachev is working from his favored single-leg position or hitting slick trips and tosses from tie-ups, the product from Dagestan displays solid adaptability in wrestling scenarios. Masvidal and Edwards have a history -- Masvidal punched the now-champ during a scuffle backstage at a card in 2019 -- and there is interest from Masvidal's side in a title fight against Edwards, of course. The expectation is he'll be able to return in early 2023. The UFC knows it, and has looked into booking that matchup. 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. Shortly after getting outwrestled by Frankie Edgar back at UFC 162, Oliveira worked diligently to improve that portion of his grappling game, as its now common to see the Brazilian outwrestling stronger fighters early and often (especially if he can get to any variation of a bodylock). + Hard leg kicks Subsequently, they got married in 2014. Favoring single and double collar-tie variations in the clinch, Makhachev does a good job of utilizing well-placed knees to manipulate defenses and create openings. [81] Although he managed to drop Oliveira in the first, Chandler lost the fight via technical knockout early in the second round. 2004-2022 CBS Interactive. [105], American mixed martial artist (born 1986), This article is about the mixed martial artist. The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Dagestani fighter, listing Makhachev -190 and Oliveira +160 via Tipico Sportsbook. Plus, welterweight contenders Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady are set to throw down in the featured prelim bout with plenty at stake. 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. Considering that, we're back to Fiziev, which doesn't interest him. 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. [35], Chandler was set to make his second defense against Bellator Season Seven Lightweight Tournament Winner Dave Jansen June 19, 2013 at Bellator 96. [95] He won the fight in the second round after knocking out Ferguson with a front kick. All Rights Reserved. Oliveira underwent surgery to correct his vision, and he enters next weeks UFC 280 main event against Islam Makhachev fully aware of what is in front of him. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-280-charles-oliveira-vs-islam-makhachev-analysis-prediction, Twitter reacts to Paddy Pimblett's controversial decision win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282, Twitter reacts to Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev split draw in title fight at UFC 282, UFC 282 bonuses: Dana White in a giving mood, awards double-digit winners, Dana White's response to 'terrible' UFC 282 headliner? He's looking at title shots, No. Its the best time for any athlete. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+. Who wins Oliveira vs. Makhachev? Subscribe to ESPN+ to get exclusive live UFC events, weigh-ins and more; Dana White's Contender Series; and more exclusive MMA content. He is of German and Irish heritage. [39], A rematch with Eddie Alvarez took place on November 2, 2013 in the main event of Bellator 106. The media members were asked to vote for who they feel are the top fighters in the UFC by weight-class and pound-for-pound. [68], On October 25, 2019, it was announced that Chandler would return to cage to rematch Benson Henderson at Bellator & Rizin: Japan on December 29, 2019. Mixed martial arts career Background. Masvidal is accused of attacking Covington on the streets of Miami on March 21, about two weeks after Covington dominated him in a five-round grudge match at UFC 272. It doesn't get much bigger than the vacant lightweight title bout anchoring the event when Charles Oliveira takes on Islam Makhachev. There's a world in which he could face Chimaev and fight for a UFC title in 2023. Makhachev, hes following someone elses way, says Oliveira, addressing whether there is too much hype surrounding Makhachev. He won't get that opportunity if Usman is the champ, because he already has lost to him twice. If Makhachev is champion, all of a sudden title fights against the likes of Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler -- those are all fresh again. Namely, because he's the alleged victim in a criminal battery case involving his former opponent Jorge Masvidal. + Improved boxing ability + Hard kicks from the left side But rarely has MMA seen a fighter as dynamic and confident come up the ranks like O'Malley. We'll know more on Oct. 23, after Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev fight for the UFC's vacant lightweight championship. 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. Can you guess which side Makhachevs head sags off to during shot and clinch entries? He looked positively frozen by the threat of Pedro Munhoz in his last outing and Munhoz wasn't doing much in that fight. I've been guilty of picking against Oliveira multiple times. From a contrast in styles standpoint, Makhachev is the worst type of opponent for him. That inactivity likely has to do with why Alvarez, the former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion, and ONE have amicably parted ways. [52] He regained the title after knocking Pitbull out in the first round. That's what Gaethje will be doing. Yes, hes been very successful, but who are the top five he has beaten? If Oliveira wins, not so much. At some point in time Ive just got to eat my words and say against my initial reaction to pick against him, theres something there. Of course not. 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. 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. 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. [78] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round. Expect Sterling and Dillashaw to play for points before Sterling eventually gets the takedown and takes over. Then afterwards I tell myself why do you do that? The obvious answer is Rafael Fiziev, and everyone knows it. ^ Accurate hooks and uppercuts [16], His next fight in the promotion took place on May 15, 2010 at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery where he fought Sal Wood. Main card: 7 p.m. Get the latest in the world of combat sports from two of the best in the business. + 9 KO victories I had the surgery, and my eyes are 100 percent perfect, says Oliveira, speaking through a translator. 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. It hasn't really been that long in the grand scheme. [32] He won the match via technical knockout at just 56 seconds into the first round. -- Raimondi. Alvarez probably has more options than most. Nevertheless, its ultimately hard for me to ignore the fact that Makhachevs biggest habit happens to put him right into Oliveiras favorite kill zone. 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. Sign up for the MMA Junkie newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. If Dillashaw can turn this into more of a kickboxing match, he just might have the edge against the often criminally underrated defending champion. If the Burns fight happens and Masvidal wins, it's a possibility the UFC could go to Edwards vs. Masvidal -- an objectively big pay-per-view main event fight -- if Edwards is still the champion. Should Makhachev successfully navigate past Oliveiras multi-layered striking and submission acumen, then no one should be shocked to see the 31-year-old grind down and ground out his Brazillian foe down the stretch. Will we see Jon Jones again? I am going to knock Islam out in the first round, Oliveira says. [65] Chandler dominated the majority of the fight by out-wrestling Primus, ultimately defeating him by unanimous decision and regaining the Bellator Lightweight World title in the process. [84] This bout earned the Fight of the Night award. I did the same thing with Chandler. - Powered By PickUp, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Bonus awards. Hes 30. 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 And starting in January, ONE is airing one show per week on Friday nights from Thailand. According to sources, Namajunas is in the process of moving into a home she just purchased. As of November 2, 2021, he is #5 in the UFC lightweight rankings. newsletter, UFC Authentic Camouflage Fight Night Shorts, UFC 282 live blog: Paddy Pimblett vs. Jared Gordon. [29] The bout was then rescheduled to take place on November 19, 2011 at Bellator 58. The top five lightweights are Oliveira, Poirier, Gaethje, Makhachev, Chandler. section: | slug: ufc-280-predictions-charles-oliveira-vs-islam-makhachev-fight-card-odds-prelims-expert-picks-preview | sport: mma | route: article_single.us | Nevertheless, whether were talking about mat wrestling or transitional grappling in general, it can be hard to get a beat on Makhachev. [101], Chandler started dating Brie Willett in 2013 after emailing for almost two years. But if it's Edwards, he could be next. As a result we've seen headlining fights that have been fantastic but truly lacked star power. In order to pay for his jiu-jitsu training as a full-time Rutgers student, Gall worked as a bread truck driver for Walmart.. Gall is an accomplished Follow the UFC 282 live blog for Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev, the light heavyweight title fight on Saturday in Las Vegas. + Superb transitional grappler 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. If Makhachev wins, then it's a new champion, and it breathes life into former title challengers, like Gaethje, who already lost to Oliveira. Sign up for the He also has more ways to potentially win, meaning Sterling's chances somewhat depend upon him executing his gameplan effectively and maintaining control. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA MARCH 06: (R-L) Islam Makhachev works for a submission against Drew Dober in their lightweight fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. But it does put him in uncertain territory, because the UFC doesn't like it when a fighter turns down a fight that makes sense, and Fiziev is doing everything he can to publicize Gaethje's decision. Follow Manny Pacquiao vs. DK Yoo live round-by-round updates for their exhibition clash Saturday. I dont know why I do that. Brookhouse: Until further notice, I simply can't pick against Oliveira. I think I'll rock with "Do Bronx" this time. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada.It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. That said, when it comes to clinch striking and counters, Makhachev may be in for a surprise or two when he ties up with Oliveira. Covington has been extremely quiet since the alleged attack, which is not unusual for someone involved in an active case. In 2021, she fought more than once in a year for the first time since 2017. It should be noted it hasn't been that long. Won the Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament. ^ Favors chaining off singles [18], Chandler made his Bellator debut on September 30, 2010, at Bellator 31, where he defeated Scott Stapp via technical knockout in the first round. Chandler compiled a 3115 record against Big 12 opponents and a 10040 overall record in his four years as a starter. Aside from having tremendous hip and grip awareness, Makhachev is one of my favorite fighters to point to in regard to demonstrating the importance of wrist control. + Good takedown ability Were Dillashaw more active, I may lean toward him and his combination of boxing and counter-wrestling. Watch UFC live with fuboTV: Start a free trial today! + 15 first-round finishes Im grateful to be recognized by Randy Couture, Oliveira says. And Islam is at his peak. Early life. Let's see what happens between Zhang Weili and Esparza at UFC 281 on Nov. 12. 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. Fighters reacted to the UFC 282 main card fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Darren Till. [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. [34] He won the bout via submission in the second round. [60] After Primus pulled out of the fight due to injury, Chandler faced Brandon Girtz on the same card. Get UFC, exclusive PPV events, Fight Night, Dana Whites Contender Series, Detail from the Mind of Daniel Cormier, archives of the UFCs greatest fights and more. However, muscle memory is a major factor thats hard to control in the chaos of a fight. The deal with Globo in Brazil is significant. Gall was born in Green Brook, New Jersey. "Suga" certainly has the type of red-hot momentum, even with his inconclusive result against Pedro Munhoz, to exclaim that it's certainly possible. 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. 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. UFC acts fast, sets Teixeira-Hill title bout in Jan. Rosas, 18, victorious as UFC's youngest fighter, White calls fight fixing 'huge concern' for UFC, 'Wonderboy' broke 2 bones in hand vs. Holland, Stots taunts Sabatello after retaining Bellator title, UFC 286 announced for London in March '23, UFC's Adesanya could have charge dismissed, Raul Rosas Jr. becomes youngest UFC fighter to win in their debut. [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. 2022 ABG-SI LLC. [44] He lost the back-and-forth bout by split decision. 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. Secondly, his experience as an amateur fighter. 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. Gaethje fought only once in 2021. 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. 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. And then, of course, there's the UFC, where he had success before leaving for ONE as a free agent. 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. 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). Oliveira was stripped of his lightweight title after missing weight before his bout against Justin Gaethje. Get UFC 282 results for the Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev fight card Saturday night in Las Vegas. Another bout between potential contenders is also on the main card when Matuesz Gamrot takes on Beneil Dariush at lightweight. She's only 30 years old. Its not just because of just saying it. The Writer. 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. Plus, he's an entertaining action fighter. When will Islam do that?. A daily roundup of all your fighting news from MMA Fighting, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Absolute nonsense: Fighters react to Paddy Pimbletts UFC 282 decision over Jared Gordon. Edgar, Ortega, and Max area all tough matchups. The card featured five televised MMA bouts, as well as five un-aired preliminary bouts. I think he finds shots better. He'd be an interesting fit in PFL's lightweight division or as part of its showcase fights for pay-per-view events planned for 2023. 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. He made his return at Bellator 192 on January 20, 2018, against Goiti Yamauchi. This is all part of Sityodtongs commitment to MMA and the individual martial arts. Aside from an excellent utilization of front teeps, the Brazilian standout also has a long, prodding jab 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. Next up for Oliveira is Makhachev (22-1), who has rattled off 10 victories in a row. 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. It wouldn't be shocking to see "Thug Rose" holding up the 115-pound title once again, for a third time, next year. 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. Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament semifinal. Khabib Abdulmanapovich Nurmagomedov (born 20 September 1988) is a Russian former professional mixed martial artist.He competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he was the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, having held the title from April 2018 to March 2021.With 29 wins and no losses, he retired with an Masvidal hasn't needed surgery, but he has been hurt in his past few fights and has been taking this time off to heal. He's long, explosive and creative. The biggest PPV event of the year is finally here. Here are your pick makers: Brent Brookhouse (Combat sports writer), Brian Campbell (Combat sports writer, co-host of "Morning Kombat"), Shakiel Mahjouri (writer), Michael Mormile (producer) and Brandon Wise (senior editor). Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports. I just think hes going to attack, attack, attack until he finds something or gets back to his feet and I think he wins striking exchanges. 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. 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. 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. 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. [17] He won the bout via submission in under a minute. Remarkably, Oliveira (33-8, 1 NC) still does not receive the credit he deserves, especially after beating top opponents in such dominating fashion. 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. [97] It also earned him the second place Crypto.com "Fan Bonus of the Night" award. Instead, Dillashaw has one fight since January 2019, a split decision win over Cory Sandhagen in a fight where it seemed Sandhagen deserved the nod. 1 contender fights or money grudge matches. ^ Solid variance in shot selection 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 | The vacant lightweight championship is at stake, a title that Oliveira lost after missing weight prior to his fight against Gaethje. Women's flyweight contenders Alexa Grasso and Vivane Araujo go head-to-head on Saturday to determine who will move closer to a title shot. Masvidal's place as one of the biggest stars in the sport has not evaporated. Sometimes your mental state is high, but your physical state is going down. 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. 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. [71], A rematch with Benson Henderson was rescheduled to take place at Bellator 244 on June 6, 2020. I was robbed, Oliveira says. 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. MMA news, interviews, pictures, videos and more since 1997. [30] Chandler defeated Eddie Alvarez via submission in the fourth round in an instant classic. [61] He won the fight via technical submission in the first round. [96] The win earned Chandler his second Performance of the Night bonus award. [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. Fighters had a lot to say about Paddy Pimbletts win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282. The best facts and figures to come out of UFC 282, including a rare title-fight draw, an 18-year-old winner and a historically quick knockout. ^ Strong takedowns from the clinch + 10 submission wins [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. Gilbert Burns joins Brett Okamoto to explain why he wants a fight with Jorge Masvidal in the UFC. Islam isnt 23, 26 or 27. [85] The bout was also regarded as the Fight of the Year by the UFC and various mixed martial arts media outlets. Makhachev, meanwhile, has steamrolled all of the foes placed against him. 1.3K votes, 165 comments. 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. + Consistent pace and pressure 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. Some people have speculated that Masvidal has been waiting for his legal issues to clear up -- he's being charged with felony aggravated battery for allegedly punching Colby Covington in late March. 2-ranked welterweight at the moment, and that's unlikely to change any time soon, even if he remains inactive. ONE just received an investment from the Qatar Sports Authority, and they have agreed in principle to future events in the region. Im not doing it anymore. Now, does this guarantee Oliveira a win by submission? [26] He utilized his wrestling skills, repeatedly taking down Freire and controlling the fight. [100] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. Barboza comes from Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro. I could do that with Islam but Im refusing to because Ive been wrong up to this point about Charles Oliveira. 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. Mahjouri: This is a steep, steep step-up in competition for O'Malley. Good question. Makhachev is going to have to close distance and avoid significant danger from Oliveira's strikes. UFC is back in the Middle East for UFC 280 on Saturday night from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. [54] He won the back-and-forth bout via split decision. 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. 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. It was the second UFC event of 2009 and took place on the weekend of Super Bowl XLIII.. 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. 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. Khabib Nurmagomedov expects Islam Makhachev to dominate Charles Oliveira.. 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.. 2: Khamzat Chimaev. But there are a number of prominent fighters whose next bouts should be coming around the corner. Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrateds in-depth look at MMA. While at Missouri, Chandler was a four-time NCAA Division I qualifier, collected 100 career wins, as well as earning fifth place at NCAA's as a senior, earning DI All-American honors. [59], In a rematch, Chandler was expected to challenge Brent Primus for the Bellator Lightweight Championship on April 13, 2018 at Bellator 197. 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. + Underrated wrestling ability 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 + Improved overall striking If he were to win both of those, he'd be in conversation for Fighter of the Year, and his bank account would reap the rewards. If you go back to Gaethje's past two fights, there have been layoffs of 12 months and six months between fights. Considering each fighters submission sensibilities, Ill be curious to see how they implement their strengths. 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. UFC 280 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. + *Former UFC lightweight champion 2.1M subscribers in the MMA community. Consistently overshadowed by his opponents, Oliveira enters the 280 lightweight title bout as the underdog. Gaethje and his team know it, too, but it's not a fight they're interested in. I am the real champion. + Master of sports in combat sambo When feeling in stride, its not uncommon to see Oliveira implement some sort of touch-n-go theme, as he seems to have a bit of a hardwiring for catching and pitching punches. [75], In August 2020 it was reported that Chandler was a free agent following his victory at Bellator 243. If she wants to -- again, she does have priorities outside the Octagon -- Namajunas could end up having a huge 2023. "The Underground King" was nicknamed that because of his many accolades that flew under the radar in smaller promotions. He has earned the right to decline a fight that doesn't motivate him or wouldn't properly reward him. [22] In the opening round of the tournament, Chandler faced Marcin Held, at Bellator 36 on March 12, 2011. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, Makhachev has shown to be much more than a sambo practitioner since stepping onto the UFC scene. 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. Following the victory against Ferguson, Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler via a second-round TKO in May of 2021. All of that is to say, it's very unclear when we will see Covington fight again. [31], In his first fight after winning the title, Chandler faced Akihiro Gono in a non-title superfight at Bellator 67 on May 4, 2012. UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill (also known as UFC on ESPN 40 and UFC Vegas 59) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on August 6, 2022, at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, Everyone Islam has fought, for the most part, has been terrified of his wrestling and his top game. 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. Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament quarterfinal. His striking and grappling place him on an entirely different level, and a win here would instantly become his crowning achievement. 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. [55], In his second title defense, Chandler faced Brent Primus on June 24, 2017 at Bellator NYC. Even if I didnt have a reason, Id still pick Charles Oliveira.. [48] After a dominant start on the feet, including a knockdown, he won the match via submission in the first round. 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. Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament, Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears, Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament Championship, Missouri State High School Activities Association, 2006 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, "Bellator Stud Michael Chandler Talks About Xtreme Couture, Career and More", "Bellator Champ Michael Chandler Moves Camp from Xtreme Couture to Alliance MMA", "Myles Jury, Michael Chandler among group of fighters leaving Alliance MMA", "Bellator champion Michael Chandler says he's 'just scratching the surface' under tutelage of Henri Hooft", "Hard Knocks 365 rebrands to Sanford MMA with sponsorship from Sanford Health", "Athlete Spotlight: Michael Chandler, MMA Fighter p1", "How Michael Chandler became a two-time MMA champion", "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com", "The Official Website of Michael Chandler", "Michael Chandler Bio - Official Athletic Site Official Athletic Site - Wrestling", "How the bond between Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren changed Missouri wrestling", "Bellator Signs Undefeated Michael Chandler", "Strikeforce finalizes Saturday's "Heavy Artillery" card, Beerbohm vs. "Shaolin" set", "Mizzou's next MMA star: Strikeforce's Mike Chandler seeks to match rise of Tyron Woodley", "15 of the best male Bellator fighters of all-time", "Michael Chandler signed for Bellator's lightweight tournament", "Undefeated Mike Chandler added to Bellator's season-four lightweight tourney", "Marcin Held completes lightweight tourney field, meets Mike Chandler at Bellator 36", "Bellator Lightweight Michael Chandler Looking to Make a Strong Statement by Winning Tournament", "Bellator 40 Results: Michael Chandler Wrestles A Decision From Lloyd Woodard", "Michael Chandler vs. Patricky "Pitbull" Freire added to Bellator 44", "Bellator 44 Results: Michael Chandler Outworks Patricky Freire To A Decision", "Bellator 54: Eddie Alvarez vs Michael Chandler set for Oct. 15 in Atlantic City", "Eddie Alvarez Pulling out of Bellator 54 Title Fight with Michael Chandler", "Champ Eddie Alvarez meets Michael Chandler at November's Bellator 58", "Bellator 67 - Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario - Bellator Fighting Championships", "Video: Michael Chandler smashes Akihiro Gono in less than 60 seconds at Bellator 67", "Bellator Lands on Thursday Nights on Spike TV; Kicking Off Move with Back-to-Back Stacked Cards", "Bellator 85: Michael Chandler Defeats Rick Hawn", "Bellator 96 adds heavyweight tournament; moves to three hours", "Dave Jansen Injured, Bellator Champ Michael Chandler Gets New Opponent, New Date | MMAWeekly.com", "Dave Jansen off Bellator 96, David Rickels meets Michael Chandler at Bellator 97", "Bellator 97 Results: Michael Chandler Earns Quick KO Over David Rickels", "Eddie Alvarez and Bellator mend fences, book Michael Chandler rematch for PPV", "Bellator 106: Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez II Results", "Bellator pay-per-view set for May 17 with Alvarez-Chandler III headliner", "Eddie Alvarez suffers concussion, out of Bellator 120", "Will Brooks replaces Eddie Alvarez, faces Michael Chandler as Bellator 120 stays on PPV", "Michael Chandler vs. Will Brooks: What We Learned from Interim Title Fight", "Tito Ortiz-Stephan Bonnar, Will Brooks-Michael Chandler set for Nov. 15 Bellator", "Bellator 145's Michael Chandler: 'I just know I'm better than Will Brooks', "Michael Chandler vs. Derek Campos joins Bellator 138, which moves to June 19", "Bellator 138 results: Michael Chandler overwhelms Derek Campos in first", "Chandler gets Rickels again at Bellator 145", "Michael Chandler, Patricky 'Pitbull' to Vie for Vacant Lightweight Title", "Twitter reacts to Michael Chandler's one-punch knockout of Patricky Freire at Bellator 157", "Vassell vs. Carmont, Girtz vs. Piccolotti Announced for Bellator 165 Main Card", "Bellator 237 free fight: Michael Chandler edges Benson Henderson in lightweight title defense", "Michael Chandler vs. Brent Primus title fight set for Bellator 180", "Bellator NYC results: Brent Primus wins lightweight title with injury TKO over Michael Chandler", "Michael Chandler to face Goiti Yamauchi at Bellator 192", "Sonnen unanimous over 'Rampage' at Bellator 192", "Michael Chandler vs. Brent Primus rematch set for Bellator 197", "Bellator's Michael Chandler blasts 'coward' Freire, questions Primus", "Bellator 197 results: Michael Chandler puts Brandon Girtz to sleep with first-round choke", "Report: Michael Chandler's Bellator MMA contract due to expire 'imminently', "Sources: Michael Chandler signs exclusive deal with Bellator", "Brent Primus vs. Michael Chandler rematch headlines new Bellator 'Salute the Troops' event in Hawaii", "Bellator 212 results: Primus vs Chandler 2", "Patricio Pitbull vs. Michael Chandler Set for Bellator 221, Jack Swagger Returns", "Bellator 221 results, highlights: Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire stuns Michael Chandler with first-round TKO", "Michael Chandler-Benson Henderson Rematch Set for Bellator Japan", "Benson Henderson out of Bellator Japan, Michael Chandler to face Sidney Outlaw", "Bellator 237 results: Michael Chandler punches out Sidney Outlaw in less than three minutes", "Michael Chandler vs. Benson Henderson 2 rebooked for Bellator event on June 6", "Bellator 244: 'Chandler vs Henderson 2' on June 6 postponed due to coronavirus", "Michael Chandler vs. Benson Henderson 2, Matt Mitrione vs. Tim Johnson set for Bellator 243", "Bellator 243 Results: Chandler vs. Henderson 2", "A free agent after Bellator 243, Michael Chandler keeping options open", "Michael Chandler signs with UFC, set to serve as backup for Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 254", "Michael Chandler's octagon debut set vs. Dan Hooker at UFC 257", "UFC 257 Results: Michael Chandler Lives Up to Expectations, KO's Dan Hooker", "UFC 257 post-fight bonuses: Poirier stops McGregor in second round", "BREAKING: UFC books Michael Chandler Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title", "UFC 262 Results: Charles Oliveira Stuns Michael Chandler to Claim Lightweight Title", "Sources: Gaethje-Chandler added to UFC 268", "UFC 268 Results: Justin Gaethje Defeats Michael Chandler In FOTY Contender", "UFC 268 bonuses: Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler thriller leads night of six winners", "Best of UFC in 2021: Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler earns Fight of the Year in all-time battle", "MMA Junkie's Fight of the Year for 2021: Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler", "MMA Fighting's 2021 Fight of the Year: Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler", "Fight Of The Year LowKickMMA 2021 Awards", "UFC awards 2021 including best fight to best KO and biggest upset", "2021 MMA Fight of the Year: Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler an instant classic", "Bleacher Report 2021 MMA Awards: Best Fight", "Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson added to UFC 274", "UFC 274 results: Michael Chandler brutally knocks out Tony Ferguson with insane front kick", "UFC 274: Chandler, Fialho Earn Performance of the Night Bonuses", "UFC 274 post-fight bonuses: Chandler plants Ferguson with KOTY candidate", "Michael Chandler vs. Dustin Poirier official for UFC 281; 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? Oops. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Stranger things have happened. "Suga" is looking to enter the title picture against his toughest competition to date. 6-keys: media/spln/mma/reg/free/stories, at Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbellfor the best analysis and in-depth news, including a complete preview of UFC 280 below. The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses. When those are the only options that make sense, sometimes it takes time for one to materialize. Getting one or two of those next year could be a lot of fun. There is no title fight to return to at the moment because the UFC is already working on a trilogy bout between Edwards and Usman. The weekly Thailand fights are a way for Sityodtong to show his dedication to his home country and the Muay Thai community. 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. Then were going to celebrate.. [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. Now, with Oliveira scheduled to face Islam Makhachev in the UFC 280 main event a matchup between the No. [28] However, Alvarez suffered an undisclosed injury forcing the bout to be postponed. Covington isn't talking to the media, but one has to assume this would be the ideal scenario for him. For other people named Michael Chandler, see. -- Okamoto. Sure, we've already discussed Conor McGregor's future at length, but other familiar faces such as Jorge Masvidal, Rose Namajunas and Justin Gaethje should be making their way back to the Octagon soon. Islam, he just hasnt been tested, Smith said. 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. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/10/ufc-280-khabib-nurmagomedov-islam-makhachev-roll-over-charles-oliveira, Islam Makhachev not scared of Charles Oliveira's jiu-jitsu: 'I'm going to knock him down and try to finish him', Javier Mendez: Islam Makhachev works year-round on striking, but Khabib Nurmagomedov only did part time, Michael Chandler: It's crazy that Charles Oliveira is an underdog against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280, Oliveira vs. Makhachev: Who wins UFC title? At the age of 8, he began practicing and competing in Muay Thai. After I praise Charles for an hour, Ill come up with every reason why the guy across from him has the tools to beat him. Im sticking to my gut and I think Charles Oliveira beats Islam. The win moved Chandler into the semi-finals. Lucrative, potentially. 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. Barboza moved to the United States It produces events worldwide that showcase 12 weight divisions (eight men's O'Malley already knows a victory would allow him to leapfrog the field at 135 pounds and secure the next shot at the title. [42] However, a week before the bout, it was announced that Alvarez had suffered a concussion and was forced to pull out of the fight. I think Islam is more skilled than Oliveira, Nurmagomedov said in an interview with UFC Russia. 1 and No. His professional Muay Thai record is 253, with 22 victories by knockout and 17 first-round finishes. 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. One development that has potentially changed things: Leon Edwards knocking out Kamaru Usman to become UFC welterweight champion at UFC 278 in August. [38] He won the bout via knockout in the first round. Please check your email for a confirmation. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! [74] He won the fight via knockout in the first round. Keep an eye on movement at the top of the division, and keep an eye on Conor McGregor's potential comeback. 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. Im done doubting him, Smith said. Burns has wanted to come back sooner and Masvidal's timetable is still up in the air, dependent on those aforementioned injuries. 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. [69] However, Henderson was forced to withdraw from the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Sidney Outlaw in an 160 pounds catchweight bout. Worst case is that you retract or start pulling out of submissions and he goes to your back or he latches onto something else. 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. [23] He won the contest via technical submission after choking Held unconscious with an arm-triangle choke. And that's Gaethje's right. I beat the whole top five. I think Charles attacks so much and creates so many scrambles and can do that over an entire 25-minute fight if he had to, I think thats going to nullify at the very least, Islams top game and his wrestling and I think Charles Oliveiras a better striker. 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. felony aggravated battery for allegedly punching, Masvidal punched the now-champ during a scuffle backstage at a card in 2019. I am very grateful to Randy for believing in me.. Thats given me even more strength to keep progressing. That is in addition to their current two-event-per-month model. Perhaps Makhachev presents the answer in the form of a strategic takedown game and stifling top control. The main event for UFC 280 features a fantastic lightweight title fight between two men who have a process that involves pressure. Oliveira might just be too complete of a fighter for Makhachev, who is great at what he does but not nearly as well-rounded. Poirier 's quest for the undisputed crown has grown more challenging, though he did capture interim gold. 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. I dont think hes going to get controlled.. 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. Chandler was on the honor roll every term in high school, received three letters in football, and finished as the runnerup at the MSHSAA State Championships as a senior in wrestling. I think he attacks the body better. Ive beat former champions. All Rights Reserved. Reach: 74, Stance/striking style: Orthodox/muay Thai, Height: 510 Age: 31 Weight: 155 lbs. Gaethje has reached a point in his career where he's not going to fight just to fight. As a mixed martial artist, he currently competes in the Middleweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC -- Okamoto. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Alvarez didn't fight at all in 2020 as ONE Championship was dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Please enter a valid email and try again. Which means, of the top five, there's only one potential opponent for Gaethje whom he hasn't already fought. He was voted the Most Valuable Wrestler during his senior season and was selected to the All-St. Louis Team. [50] He won the bout via technical knockout in the second round. UFC 282 takeaways: Blachowicz-Ankalaev leaves 205-pound title picture in a lurch, Blachowicz, Ankalaev leave title vacant in draw. 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