The main event of UFC 280 brought about the long awaited showdown between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev, with lightweight gold on the line.

To a certain extent, the match-up was a stand-in for Oliveira vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov, a fantasy fight for many MMA fans. With Khabib’s retirement in 2020,

Oliveira subsequently emerged as the dominant force in the 155lb division.

“The Eagle” having repeatedly expressed his desire to remain retired, Oliveira vs.

Makhachev was the closest fight fans would get to that dream match-up.

with both men having won over ten straight fights to enter the night, it was a formidable pairing in its own right.

All that, without even considering that Oliveira was technically trying to win back the title he had “lost” when he missed weight at UFC 274 earlier this year,

the result of a backstage scale having reportedly been incorrectly calibrated

Early on a UFC 280, Makhachev landed a left hand that appeared to stun Oliveira. “Do Bronx,” however, pressed forward,

Makhachev pulled free, while Oliveira fired elbows off his back.

Makhachev then settled in and went to work inside the closed guard of Charles Oliveira. A scramble would soon ensue,