See how fellow fighters reacted to Islam Makhachev capturing the UFC lightweight championship with a submission of Charles Oliveira at UFC 280
The Islam Makhachev era is here, as he submitted Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 280 to become the new UFC lightweight champion.
Oliveira looked to dictate the pace early on but quickly ended up on the bottom of Makhachev. Oliveira got out of it and attempted his own takedown on Makhachev, but Makhachev quickly got the fight back to the ground in his control.
Oliveira looked to score his own takedown on the Khabib Nurmagomedov protegee early in the second round; but instead, the two remained on their feet. While Oliveira was the better striker, Makhachev seemed to be doing well in his own right.
So well in fact that with two minutes left in the second round, Makhachev landed a hook that dropped Oliveira, allowing Makhachev to scramble on top and lock in an armbar, forcing Oliveira to tap quickly and starting the celebration in Abu Dhabi.
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski also entered the Octagon, and it appears a showdown between the two will likely take place at UFC 284 in Australia.
UFC 280: Pros react to Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev
Let’s gooooooooooooo Islam #UFC280
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) October 22, 2022
I didn't see this one coming 🤯
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) October 22, 2022
Islam with the sub that was vicious . Oliveira tapped quick ! #UFC280
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) October 22, 2022
The guy that runs from me is now the champ. Congrats @MAKHACHEVMMA #UFC280
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) October 22, 2022
Wow Olivera gets submitted! 😳 This sport is Wild! And sooo Unpredictable #UFC280
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 22, 2022
Champion for a long time to come
— LERONE MURPHY (@LeroneMurphy) October 22, 2022
Wow 😯 just wow 👏🏼👏🏼 @MAKHACHEVMMA
— The Prince (@AmirAlbazi) October 22, 2022
To be fair that was a Jiujitsu technique Islam a complete MMA fighter 💯 congrats champ #UFC280
— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) October 22, 2022
WOW @MAKHACHEVMMA by Submission 🏆
— Aleksandar Rakic (@rakic_ufc) October 22, 2022
Congrats Champion #andnew #ufc280
Wow what a moment 👏 Main Event set for Feb in Perth 😍🙏 #UFC280
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) October 22, 2022
Be quiet, you ran your mouth to Bryce and couldn’t back it up. See you soon
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) October 22, 2022
Oliveira, who entered this fight on an 11-fight win streak, originally won the lightweight title when he defeated Michael Chandler at UFC 262. Oliveira then retained the title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269.
At UFC 274, an event topped by Oliveira finishing Justin Gaethje, Oliveira came in a half-pound over the 155-pound limit, becoming the first UFC fighter to lose his championship on the scales.
Makhachev, who came into this bout with a 10-fight win streak and just a single loss in his career, scored three straight submissions against Drew Dober, Thiago Moises and Dan Hooker before a quick finish of Bobby Green earlier this year.