Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev will finally share the UFC Octagon this weekend inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The lightweight duo will step inside the cage to determine the undisputed lightweight champion of the world in what promises to be a fight for the ages.
.@CharlesDoBronxs vs @MAKHACHEVMMA!!!#UFC280 is LIVE SATURDAY on @ESPNPlus PPV! @VisitAbuDhabi #InAbuDhabi @InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/ZVkJD735x8
— danawhite (@danawhite) October 18, 2022
UFC President Dana White recently shared the promo of the much anticipated UFC PPV and the reactions from fans are wild to say nonetheless. it’s hard to predict who will emerge victorious this weekend, and while the odds might be in Makhachev’s favor, one can’t be too sure of Oliveira, who continues to prove why he might just be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.
Fans react to Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev days ahead of UFC 280
It won’t be wrong to say that this is one of the most neck-to-neck fights we have seen in several years. Both the fighters are incredibly talented and pose a great threat both on the ground and on the feet.
Gonna be fun when the world is ONCE AGAIN REMINDED that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu doesnt work on a hardened Russian Dagestani Bear.
— Niko 🍥 (@Niko_sito) October 18, 2022
You don’t know what to expect from this one 🔥
— Savu Ionut-Gabriel (@SIG_196) October 18, 2022
While fans might be underestimating Makhachev‘s skills on the feet, one can’t deny his defensive striking, having fought and proven how effective his stand-up skill is against power punches in the form of Bobby Green and Drew Dober.
I’m a Khabib fanatic but Do Bronx takes this one. Emphatically so for that matter!
— K.O.S (@TheThrowOff) October 18, 2022
— BrunoIzBack07 (@IliieTurtles007) October 18, 2022
Meanwhile, Oliveira has proven time and again that he can be a threat wherever the fight goes. However, some fans have questioned his grappling ability, citing examples of Paul Felder and Michael Chandler who quite evidently dominated Do Bronx on the ground. Be that as it may, Oliveira’s BJJ skills are not a joke and something Makhachev takes really seriously.
It’s an exciting match-up and one that will answer a lot of questions. Should Oliveira win, there’s no denying that Do Bronx will cement himself as the greatest of all time. Meanwhile, a win against Charles would do wonders for Makhachev, who has been at the receiving end of some serious backlash from fans owing to his lackluster win streak on the way to the title shot.
Who do you think gets his hand raised this weekend in Abu Dhabi at UFC 280? Do let us know in the comments section.