At UFC 280, Islam Makhachev proved to everyone just how legit he is.
This past weekend’s main event featured one of the most anticipated UFC title fights in recent memory. Lightweight’s most impressive streak holders, Makhachev and former champion Charles Oliveira, finally got to go at it, and unfortunately for Oliveira, it wasn’t as competitive as he’d have liked it to be.
Makhachev was joined by his old American Kickboxing Academy teammate Daniel Cormier. Even though he has firsthand experience with Makhachev in the training room, Cormier was still wildly surprised by the showing under the brightest spotlight.
“He did it to a Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira who was in shape, who was prepared, but he knew exactly what he needed to do and I thought that was shown very early in the fight,” Cormier said on DC & RC.
“I’ve been in this kid’s arm triangle. It’s so tight. It’s so tight.
Oliveira had some moments early on and per UFC Stats managed to land the most significant strikes of any Makhachev opponent, albeit only 19. Ultimately, Makhachev’s phenomenal wrestling pressure was too much to overcome for the majority of the bout.
“Do Bronx” amazing submission threats were stopped with relative ease. He was then dropped in round two and ended with an arm triangle choke. Makhachev did exactly what he said he was going to do and now the community is largely in agreement that a lengthy new era atop the perpetually stacked 155-pound weight class could be set to unfold.
“I’ll say this without a shadow of a doubt about Islam,” Cormier said. He’s been the most popular guy in the group. He was the most skilled man in the room. We thought that if he had the same skill as him and could show it in practice in the octagon, then he’d be one of the greatest in the world. He’s not better than Khabib [Nurmagomedov],, but he just was always that good. He was not able to do the same thing in the octagon, but he could.
“The one thing that was surprising to me was that when I talk to these guys … and I’m talking Charles, Islam, Aljo, T.J. Dillashaw, Sean O’Malley, and Petr Yan, I had never seen six guys that were so sure they were gonna win. Charles Oliveira thought he was gonna knock that guy out in the first round. Islam Makhachev right away said, ‘I’m gonna submit Charles Oliveira.’ Even I when talking to him I was like, ‘Islam, you cannot believe you’re just gonna walk through this dude.'”
TOP STORIES
End. Jose Aldo explains how no opponent could convince him to back MMA retirement
Bantamweight. Marlon Vera: Sean O’Malley got ‘a gift decision’ over Petr Yan, but still deserves the next title shot
Trouble. Boxing judge accused of fight fixing by Jake Paul joins Eddie Hearn in $100M defamation lawsuit, seeks separate damages
Matchup. Anthony Smith responds to callout from Nikita Krylov: ‘Yes, I’m totally down’
Waiting. Dana White, USADA confirm Conor McGregor needs 6 months of drug testing before UFC return
Anticipation. Jon Jones says he’s ‘preparing to fight’ Stipe Miocic at UFC 282: ‘I’m ready to compete!’
Support. Calvin Kattar roots for Alexander Volkanovski over Islam Makhachev: ‘He’s got a chance against everybody’
Problematic. Anderson Silva’s last sparring session has controversial end
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
Free fight.
Khalil’s journey.
Sterling’s final UFC 280 BTS.
Felder and Chiesa talk UFC 280.
LISTEN UP
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin talks to Alan Jouban, Matt Brown.
Rankings Show. MMA Fighting’s Shaun Al-Shatti, Alexander K. Lee, Mike Heck, and Jed Meshew discuss the latest movement.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
He did it right.
Filming DC&RC and a damn earthquake!!! 5. 1 , watch my screen as I am talking about prepping for a fight. My god, great show today tho! @espnmma @Realrclark25 pic.twitter.com/U0km1rqnCp
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 25, 2022
Let’s go.
We coming for all the titles let’s goooo!!!! https://t.co/WNbcX8ZnKV
— Juan Archuleta (@jarchmma) October 25, 2022
Contest time.
Yoooo giving away 2 free ticket to UFC282 in vegas. You just need to make a poster for me or a video of my fight. Winner will be picked next month! Tag anyone who might be interested pic.twitter.com/YmUYa062b5
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) October 25, 2022
Onward.
Failure hurts, but it teaches! Thank you @beneildariush for great battle and valuable lessons
Still on the way! pic.twitter.com/NaUw5qVi1k— Mateusz Gamrot (@gamer_mma) October 25, 2022
Getting creative with nicknames.
Hey Alljizzlame. Your last 3 Fights.
1. Beat Yan via Academy Award
2. Gifted Dec via Guilt
3. Hate Crime over Handicapped FighterSign the Contract . @funkmasterMMA
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) October 25, 2022
I’m on vacation bro. Working on my Cejudo dad bod. https://t.co/MAO4yvCgnh
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 25, 2022
Fair point.
Why is colby number 2 again? Because he lost lost to kamaru twice? He is famous for losing [********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** **********************************************************************************************************************************************************???************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** ******************************************************************************************************************************************************** Famous for losing 4 straight super bowls pic.twitter.com/7r0Qgj4zL4
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 25, 2022
Swift.
There is.
Just rewatched the fight, def won.
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) October 26, 2022
Strong season.
Band work.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Joshua Weems (10-2) vs. Christian Rodriguez (7-1); UFC Vegas 63, Oct. 29
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m not sure it’s No. 1, but Makhachev’s win is definitely up there in this conversation.
Thanks so much for reading!
EXIT POLL
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
