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UFC 280: Pros react to Islam Makhachev submitting Charles Oliveira for title

By Thomas Albano

Islam Makhachev reacts after defeating Charles Oliveira in the lightweight championship at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 22, 2022. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)
Islam Makhachev reacts after defeating Charles Oliveira in the lightweight championship at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 22, 2022. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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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

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.

Next. UFC 280: Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev live results and highlights [UPDATED LIVE]. dark

UFC 280: Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev takes place on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, live from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all your news and highlights.

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