UFC 280 | Main Card Preview
Saturday, October 22nd (2:00 PM EST Main Card, 10:00 AM EST Prelims)
Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev
WATCH - LONG HAVE WE WAITED! Finally after all the off-weeks and terrible cards the Fall 2022 season has finally arrived at its first good UFC event. And this main event is historic for a multitude of reasons, and quite possibly the most competitive fight in the most competitive division in UFC history! These guys aren’t the biggest household names but #1 Charles Oliveira is on pace to tie Khabib’s record for most lightweight title defenses* (asterisks cause of the whole weight miss thing) and he’s going to have to do it against Khabib’s very own disciple, #4 Islam Makhachev. The lightweight GOAT will be decided in the minds of the masses this Saturday night when Oliveira cements his place in the hall of fame, or Makhachev re-elevates the name of his legendary training partner.
Aljamain Sterling vs. TJ Dillashaw
WATCH - Alright here come more asterisks in another absolute titlefight banger! Cause #2 TJ Dillashaw never actually lost the belt* (in a parallel universe where steroid usage isn’t punished) and is facing the defending champion Aljamain Sterling who will be attempting his 3rd titlefight victory in a row* (in the very real universe in which soccer flopping after an illegal blow is rewarded with a belt).
Petr Yan vs. Sean O'Malley
WATCH - This is a fight between two of the best fighters under 30 in the entire UFC. Two names that scream excitement, chaos, controversy, and violence! One former champ vs one perpetual up and coming superstar! Yet no matter what the result it is guaranteed hilarity. If #1 Yan wins, matching him up against #11 O’Malley will look tremendously dumb by the UFC in hindsight. And if O’Malley wins, the amount of salt from his haters having to admit he’s actually a top talent might destroy the entire MMA social media world. This is a fight that is made because of names, and not because of historical results, straight out of the boxing playbook.
Beneil Dariush vs. Mateusz Gamrot
WATCH - This is a lightweight showdown that is polar opposite of the fight above. Two fighters who have grinded to get where they are against the toughest opponents possible, and still struggling to be taking seriously as title contenders. #6 Dariush was a journeyman who turned it around with some epic displays of KOs, chokes, and spinning backfists. Now sitting at the top of the pile on a 7 fight win-streak. But even with all the newfound success inside the octagon, its only been losses in the name recognition game so important in the top contender politics. #9 Gamrot has only been in the UFC for 3 years, but has already dismantled big name vets like Jeremy Stephens as well as hyped up fellow prospects like Arman Tsarukyan. This show down is one of those crossroads fights that you look back on in another 3 years as the critical point before the loser receded back to journeyman status and the breakthrough for the winner to fight massive fights at the top and win a championship.
Katlyn Chookagian vs. Manon Fiorot
WATCH - There might never be a more awful, boring, and consistently hype-train derailing fighter. #1 Chookagian is the permanent #1 contender. She will never win the belt. She will never let another fighter get past her gate. It is a permanent purgatory and we all are held hostage to watch her rip apart any hopes and dreams we have of an exciting women’s flyweight division. Now here’s how #6 Fiorot is different and has a shot to make it past the gate….
*Nothing contained in this post is financial advice, please bet at your own risk