After numerous statements on social media and the media, the world’s top lightweights, Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira, first met “head to head” before the fight, which will headline UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on October 22.
A chance meeting in the lobby of the hotel took place during a media day, where both participants in the title match spoke to the press.
In particular, answering journalists’ questions, Makhachev explained why he did not say hello to the Brazilian when he checked into the hotel with the team.
“Honestly, they were all sitting there with white hair, and I didn’t understand which one of them was Oliveira,” the Russian said.
Recall that at stake the fight will be the vacant UFC lightweight championship belt, which Oliveira lost after failing the weight race in the fight against Justin Gaethje.
