Islam Makhachev embraces the winner of the lightweight title. There is a time and a place for this. Islam Makhachev fulfilled a prophecy when he became the UFC lightweight champion. Three years ago, when Makhachev news conference was interrupted, it felt like something much more consequential. It's going to be a crowning achievement. At UFC 242, Nurmagomedov had just defended his 155-pound belt, and he was still the champ. Makhachev had competed earlier that evening in Abu Dhabi and had put on a great performance. Another great performance. Makhachev was sitting at the postfight dais explaining to reporters how he was able to get his record to 18-1 after beating up Ramos. Until Nurmagomedov arrived. The champ walked off after placing his UFC belt on a table in front of Makhachev. The future champ. The other one was the most important word in the emphasis on "champ." Makhachev said that was something. Makhachev smiled as he looked over at the shiny strap. I would like to fight for this belt. My dream. Makhachev upstaged a star- studded fight card with a stunning second-round submission of Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 280. It was an achievement that somehow became even more meaningful when the coveted belt was wrapped around the new champ's waist and paraded him around the Octagon. Makhachev tried to give Nurmagomedov the belt that he had worn until his retirement two years ago, which fulfilled a promise he had made to his mother. The new champ wanted to honor his old coach with a gesture for his new coach, who now serves as his coach and cornerman. Makhachev gave his belt to his coach. He told me a long time ago to train hard and be a champion. I would like to give him this belt. I'm aware that his father made me. He wouldn't have it. He draped the strap over Makhachev's shoulders. This moment and all that preceded it showed the strength of the relationship between these two fighters. During introductions for the main event, Nurmagomedov appeared more nervous than Makhachev, and he had never looked before a fight of his own. When his friend finished the UFC's all-time leader in submissions, with a head-and-arm choke, in the second round, he raced into the UFC with a smile on his face. Makhachev was up to the moment, just as he had been all along. He did not hesitate to attack the man who was coming off a couple of victories. The MMA world considered the Brazilian the defacto champ because he had been stripped of the title after missing weight. The fights from UFC 280: Oliveira vs. Makhachev will be available to watch on the internet. Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev are two people.
• Aljamain Sterling (c) vs. TJ Dillashaw
• Petr Yan vs. Sean O'Malley
• Beneil Dariush vs. Mateusz Gamrot
• Katlyn Chookagian vs. Manon Fiorot
• Belal Muhammad vs. Sean Brady
• Makhmud Muradov vs. Caio Borralho
• Nikita Krylov vs. Volkan Oezdemir
• Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev
• Armen Petrosyan vs. AJ Dobson
• Malcolm Gordon vs. Muhammad Mokaev
• Lina Lansberg vs. Karol Rosa
You can watch the complete card on pay per view.
This result felt like it was going to happen. Is it because of the endorsement of the man? Many in the sport believed that Makhachev could be a future champ. In the cage, he was able to do it all. Why wouldn't he know the future?
Makhachev did his part to show his worth. Since entering the UFC in 2015, he has won 10 fights in a row He didn't have the resume to match Oliveira, who had never faced anyone on the level of Gaethje. Makhachev was a 2-to-1 favorite to win the cage.
He explained why.
Makhachev's friendship, heritage, wrestling skills, and boundless confidence make him a good candidate for the term "khabib 2.0", though that's an oversimplification. Makhachev has a skill set that makes him stand out from the crowd. He has some promotional strength in his corner.
During Makhachev's postfight interview, it was obvious that that was the case. After they tried to hand each other the title belt, Nurmagomedov put his friend's accomplishment in context and built on it.
Islam Makhachev is the best fighter according to the man. He is the number one pound-for-pound fighter right now.
Is there a pound-for-pound figure already? In the eyes of many, that spot is occupied by Alexander Volkanovski, who was sitting at the cage at the time of his victory. This was something that Nurmagomedov was aware of. He wanted a huge fight for his friend.
The plan is for us to fly all the way to Australia and fight with Volkanovski.
The short guy is not located. Makhachev spoke. What's the location?
A global super fight was made on the spot after Volkanovski was escorted into the cage.
For Team Makhachev, make that two brilliant performances in one night.
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