Islam Makhachev, backed by legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, is the new lightweight king of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The Russian made a perfect fight, Saturday, October 22 in Abu Dhabi, against the Brazilian Charles Oliveira. Ultra dominant, Makhachev subdued the former boss.
It was the most anticipated fight of the year. Perhaps the most anticipated in years. On Saturday, in the United Arab Emirates, MMA history was to be written again during UFC 280 and the fight for the lightweight belt between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev.
The first, holder of the league’s record for submissions (16), was the former division champion. Last May, before beating Justin Gaethje, he was stripped of his title for weighing 200 grams too much. A quack that had taken nothing away from the aura of domination of this master in the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The second came to Abu Dhabi with a capital of confidence at the top, fueled by his 11 rank victories and this impression of an unstoppable steamroller, as dangerous in wrestling as in striking (standing fight).
The logic, the suspense, the “hype”: everything was there for the two best current lightweights to compete. And if, quite often in combat sports, certain expected posters never see the light of day – or too late – the big meeting Oliveira VS Makhachev could well have taken place. And it did not disappoint fans.
Oliveira exceeded
Undefeated since 2017, Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira crushed the category in his final years, subduing every opponent with almost insolent ease. On Saturday evening, the bookmakers were betting on Islam Makhachev, although he only faced one member of the Top 10 lightweights. Yes but now, the Russian shone so much in his last fights that it became difficult to refuse him a chance for the belt. And when you have Khabib Nurmagomedov, former champion and MMA legend, as your advisor…
In the octagon, the one who is presented as the heir of Nurmagomedov was quick to take the ascendancy. Oliveira, known for his dangerousness on the ground, was under pressure from his opponent throughout the first round. In the middle of this recovery, Makhachev was able to land a few blows. After these first five minutes to his advantage, the Russian embarked on the second round with tenfold confidence.
Makhachev is already looking towards Volkanovski
The second round was played more standing. A sector in which Charles Oliveira was also inferior. A right sent him to the ground. Makhachev, not scared by the qualities of the Brazilian, did not hesitate to pounce on him. It was good for him: the Russian only needed a few seconds to submit him by strangulation.
So there is a new king at the top of the lightweights. Charles Oliveira, a handsome player, did not fail to applaud when Khabib Nurmagomedov passed the belt around the waist of his compatriot and friend of more than 20 years, Islam Makhachev. The prophecy of the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s father, has come true; before passing away in 2020, he announced that the young Islam Makhachev would be champion. He was right.
At 31, the fighter from Dagestan reigns at lightweight. And hardly had he the belt in his hands that he already announced his next goal: to beat the Australian Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion and number one all categories. Unless he grants revenge to Charles Oliveira, certainly beaten but eager to have a new chance, he who has never fled before the slightest adversary or refused a fight.