The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi tonight for one of the biggest cards of the year, with Oliveira and Makhachev's highly-anticipated lightweight title fight headlining a stacked event
Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev headline an absolutely jam-packed card of action at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi for UFC 280 tonight.
Unlike nearly all other pay-per-view events that the promotion run, this one takes place at local time outside of the US, meaning that fans in the UK can watch at essentially prime time. From the mid-afternoon fights are underway, with particular British interest in the undefeated super-prospect Muhammad Mokaev.
Every one of the main card fights could headline its own event, with the 135lb division taking centre stage in the co-main between Aljamain Sterling and TJ Dillashaw just after Petr Yan vs Sean O'Malley. The young O'Malley will show his world level credentials in this event, while Yan is hoping to get a trilogy bout with Sterling or a shot at the legendary Dillashaw.
Here's all you need to know about UFC 280...
What time is Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev on in the UK tonight?
UFC 280 will take place tonight at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Due to the much more favourable time difference, British fans won't have to stay up all night, with the preliminary card beginning at 3pm. The main card then gets underway from 7pm. Ring walks for the main event between Oliveira and Makhachev can then be expected at just after 10pm.
How to watch Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev via TV and live stream
The early prelims will be available to watch on UFC Fight Pass from 3pm and BT Sport 3 from 5pm. You can also stream the early fights on the BT Sport YouTube channel. The main card will be aired exclusively on BT Sport Box Office meaning all UK viewers will have to pay £19.95 to watch the action.
Full UFC 280 fight card
Main card
Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev
For all intents and purposes, Makhachev is challenging Oliveira for his lightweight title in the main event. The Brazilian won his last defence against Justin Gaethje in the first round, but was stripped of the belt prior to the bout for missing weight by half-a-pound. Now, the duo compete for the vacant title, with the Dagestani fighter holding an advantage due to massive crowd support in the Middle East.
Aljamain Sterling vs TJ Dillashaw
The bantamweight title has been shrouded in controversy for the past few years as well, but after Saturday night there will be an undisputed top dog in the division. Dillashaw lost his last fight before a suspension for using an illegal substance, but it was at flyweight, and he technically was never beaten for the 135lb belt.
Sterling's reign at the top of the division hasn't been without its own setbacks; he won the belt on a disqualification after being dominated by Petr Yan, who himself had won the vacant belt by beating Jose Aldo. But having comprehensively got through Yan in their rematch, he is assured in his position.
Petr Yan vs Sean O’Malley
Speaking of Yan, he takes on an interesting challenge in the fan favourite prospect Sean O'Malley. The American is taking a huge step up in competition to face a man who has only lost to the current champion during his UFC run, and the winner of this fight has been guaranteed the next shot at the belt.
Beneil Dariush vs Mateusz Gamrot
Lightweight contender Dariush was assured that the reason this fight was happening in Abu Dhabi was so that he could be the back-up for the main event. However, it now appears that Alexander Volkanovski will get that opportunity instead, and Dariush must focus completely on the difficult challenge faced by the fast-rising former KSW champion
Katlyn Chookagian vs Manon Fiorot
Two fighters on impressive win streaks meet in the main card's opening fight, with Chookagian ranked No.1 in the flyweight division while Fiorot is No.6. After four solid victories, Chookagian could be just one win from another chance at Valentina Shevchenko, while Fiorot is almost certainly the next in line for the belt should she get a victory.
Prelims
Belal Muhammad vs Sean Brady
Makhmud Muradov vs Caio Borralho
Nikita Krylov vs Volkan Oezdemir
Zubaira Tukhugov vs Lucas Almeida
Magomed Mustafaev vs Yamato Nishikawa
Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs Gadzhi Omargadzhiev
Muhammad Mokaev vs Malcolm Gordon
Armen Petrosyan vs AJ Dobson
Lina Lansberg vs Karol Rosa
Quotes corner
Oliveira : “It’s for the history and for everything Khabib has done. If it was any other guy, he would’ve had to walk the walk that I had to walk, knocking on people’s doors trying to get into a top-five fight. The reason why this fight is happening is because of him. That’s the real.”
Makhachev :“This is my goal, finish him on the ground because I have to show all people my grappling level. This is an MMA fight. We’re going to begin in the standup, I’m going to check his skills there. All my opponents are good, for example Drew Dober, all these guys.
"If I’m going to stand with them, they can make me some trouble, but I just have to do where I’m good. Close the distance, hold him, take him down. I’m gonna do the same thing always, take them down, hold them, make them tired and finish him.”
