Makhachev submits Oliveira, wins lightweight title

Abu Dhabi -- Ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from mixed martial arts 2 years agone arsenic an undefeated champion, Islam Makhachev's reclaiming that lightweight rubric felt similar a pre-ordained moment. That infinitesimal came connected Saturday.

Makhachev (23-1) seized the UFC's 155-pound title by submitting Charles Oliveira (33-9) astatine UFC 280 wrong Etihad Arena. The decorativeness came astatine the 3:16 of the 2nd round, via limb triangle choke. Oliveira, who saw an 11-fight triumph streak snapped, tapped to the choke aft helium was dropped by a close hand.

The triumph solidified what Nurmagomedov and Makhachev person agelong referred to arsenic 'Father's Plan.' Nurmagomedov's precocious father, Abdulmanap, who passed distant successful 2020 owed to complications of COVID-19, ever envisioned Nurmagomedov would discontinue arsenic champion and Makhachev would prime up wherever helium near off.

"I conscionable privation to say, this is my loop for manager Abdulmanap," Makhachev said. "Many years ago, helium told maine to bid hard and you're going to beryllium champion."

Makhachev, 31, attempted to springiness the loop to Nurmagomedov, who was successful his country and instantly lifted him into the aerial aft the win.

In a way, the enactment has lone begun for Makhachev. His adjacent situation is expected to beryllium UFC featherweight champion and statement No. 1 pound-for-pound champion Alex Volkanovski. Volkanovski (25-1) is coming disconnected his 4th rubric defence successful July and has announced his intent to determination up successful weight.

The champion vs. champion combat volition astir surely instrumentality spot astatine UFC 284 successful February. That pay-per-view lawsuit volition instrumentality spot connected Feb. 12 wrong RAC Arena successful Perth, Australia, Volkanovski's location country.

Makhachev's title triumph mirrored galore of his erstwhile wins successful the UFC. He has a akin benignant to his legendary teammate and mentor, Nurmagomedov. His stifling crushed crippled has dominated astir everyone he's fought, and it acceptable the code for this rubric combat astatine UFC 280.

Oliveira was assertive connected the feet arsenic helium usually is, but each clip the 2 were successful adjacent quarters, Makhachev's accomplishment and physicality showed. He converted 2 of 3 takedown attempts and accumulated much than 5 minutes of power clip successful a combat that lasted lone 8:16.

After dictating wherever the combat went successful the first, Makhachev started to find occurrence with his boxing successful the 2nd round. He dropped Oliveira with a abbreviated antagonistic close manus and past instantly followed him to the level -- thing precise fewer of Oliveira's erstwhile opponents were consenting to do, due to the fact that of his submission threat.

For Makhachev, it's his 5th consecutive triumph by submission, and the latest comes against the antheral with the astir submission wins successful UFC history.

"I ever inquire God wherefore helium ever gives maine much than what I ask," Makhachev said. "I knew this wouldn't beryllium an casual fight. This feline ever pushes."