Stranger things have happened. With such a massive main event on tap, the crew at CBS Sports went ahead with predictions and picks for the main card. [68], On October 25, 2019, it was announced that Chandler would return to cage to rematch Benson Henderson at Bellator & Rizin: Japan on December 29, 2019. 2012 started with UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes and ended with UFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2.The year saw the successful UFC Featherweight title defense by Jos Aldo, the crowning of Carlos Condit as the Interim It should be noted it hasn't been that long. Charles Oliveiras poor eyesight is no longer an issue. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-280-charles-oliveira-vs-islam-makhachev-analysis-prediction, Twitter reacts to Paddy Pimblett's controversial decision win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282, Twitter reacts to Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev split draw in title fight at UFC 282, UFC 282 bonuses: Dana White in a giving mood, awards double-digit winners, Dana White's response to 'terrible' UFC 282 headliner? -- Okamoto. Skill for skill, Namajunas is still probably the best in the division and would be favored in most of those matchups. During the winning streak, only once has Oliveira gone to decisionand that took place in 2020 after he dominated Tony Ferguson for three full rounds. Till just freaking gave up there: Fighters react to Dricus Du Plessis UFC 282 win over Darren Till. I do.. + Superb transitional grappler He hasnt fought the level of competition and he might beat Gaethje, he might beat Poirier but like you said, he hasnt so we cant use that. Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrateds in-depth look at MMA. The card features a pair of title fights atop the marquee along with rising contenders primed to take the next step on the road to the gold. [78] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round. The truth is we just don't know how good O'Malley really is or whether he actually does have the type of intangibles needed to put his injury TKO loss to Marlon Vera behind him. He has earned the right to decline a fight that doesn't motivate him or wouldn't properly reward him. While we can't ignore Dillashaw's shady past in terms of drug testing, we must equally admit that age, injury and layoffs have not done much to downgrade his elite standing. That's not true. Alvarez probably has more options than most. Subscribe to ESPN+ to get exclusive live UFC events, weigh-ins and more; Dana White's Contender Series; and more exclusive MMA content. Covington has been extremely quiet since the alleged attack, which is not unusual for someone involved in an active case. An unsung hero in regard to effective martial arts techniques, Makhachevs quiet control of hands and wrists helps stymie his oppositions advances while he furthers his own. And then, of course, there's the UFC, where he had success before leaving for ONE as a free agent. Brookhouse: Until further notice, I simply can't pick against Oliveira. I could do that with Islam but Im refusing to because Ive been wrong up to this point about Charles Oliveira. I can see everything now.. Of course, there are some potential dangers that were working on where Islam needs to be careful. Won the Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament. Lightweight debut. This is all part of Sityodtongs commitment to MMA and the individual martial arts. Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC)meets Oliveira (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC)for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 280 on Oct. 22 in Abu Dhabi. [79] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. Secondly, his experience as an amateur fighter. He made his return at Bellator 192 on January 20, 2018, against Goiti Yamauchi. [100] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. [55], In his second title defense, Chandler faced Brent Primus on June 24, 2017 at Bellator NYC. This time around, Smith is sticking by Oliveira while making a commitment that he wont make the same mistakes now that hes made in the past. [11], Chandler was born and raised in High Ridge, Missouri, the second of four children to Michael Sr. and Betty Chandler. I think Islam is more skilled than Oliveira, Nurmagomedov said in an interview with UFC Russia. Other than that, Islam should roll over him.. If not for a title shot -- which Namajunas deserves given her two wins over Zhang and the tight loss to Esparza -- a trilogy bout with Jessica Andrade could be fun, too. [77], Chandler made his promotional debut against Dan Hooker at UFC 257 on January 24, 2021. His professional Muay Thai record is 253, with 22 victories by knockout and 17 first-round finishes. Gaethje and his team know it, too, but it's not a fight they're interested in. I beat the whole top five. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+. But oddly enough, there is really no urgency for him to return anyway. [19] The match was contested at a catchweight for Chandler to test himself for the lightweight division, all his previous bouts being in the welterweight division. Its a time when your mental and physical state should be in synergy. Dillashaw has the motor to go late and the grit to fight through anything in order to get there, similar to how he scratched and clawed through four rounds on one leg last time against Cory Sandhagen. The bout at 280 represents a significant proving ground for both fighters. Then he used his rear-naked choke to submit Dustin Poirier a few months later that December, earning the victory only 62 seconds into the third round, before forcing Justin Gaethje to tap out in the first round this past May.. Next up for Oliveira is Khabib Nurmagomedov expects Islam Makhachev to dominate Charles Oliveira.. Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) meets Oliveira (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC) for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 280 on Oct. 22 in Abu Dhabi.. Im not going to do it anymore, Smith said with a laugh on The Fighter vs. There is just something about Oliveira's striking improvements and record-setting submission game that makes me side with him, especially considering the leap in competition for Makhachev. UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill (also known as UFC on ESPN 40 and UFC Vegas 59) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on August 6, 2022, at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, Gaethje has reached a point in his career where he's not going to fight just to fight. O'Malley already knows a victory would allow him to leapfrog the field at 135 pounds and secure the next shot at the title. He also has more ways to potentially win, meaning Sterling's chances somewhat depend upon him executing his gameplan effectively and maintaining control. He began training in boxing at the age of 13, and transitioned to Brazilian jiu-jitsu at 16. 1 and No. MMA's Top 25 Under 25 Who are the future stars of the sport? Michael Chandler (born April 24, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist.He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). If Makhachev wins, then it's a new champion, and it breathes life into former title challengers, like Gaethje, who already lost to Oliveira. Aside from an excellent utilization of front teeps, the Brazilian standout also has a long, prodding jab that he likes to use to set up right hands and leg kicks off of. [16], His next fight in the promotion took place on May 15, 2010 at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery where he fought Sal Wood. The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Dagestani fighter, listing Makhachev -190 and Oliveira +160 via Tipico Sportsbook. Reach: 74, Stance/striking style: Orthodox/muay Thai, Height: 510 Age: 31 Weight: 155 lbs. Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament semifinal. 2.1M subscribers in the MMA community. Then afterwards I tell myself why do you do that? In Makhachevs corner will be his mentor, Nurmagomedov, who declared him as a future champion immediately after he + 9 first-round finishes As a result we've seen headlining fights that have been fantastic but truly lacked star power. He'd be an interesting fit in PFL's lightweight division or as part of its showcase fights for pay-per-view events planned for 2023. Of course not. Women's flyweight contenders Alexa Grasso and Vivane Araujo go head-to-head on Saturday to determine who will move closer to a title shot. 3:00 pm ET, Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC 280, Pimblett remains undefeated, beats Gordon, Teixeira vs. Hill title fight added to UFC 283, Rosas Jr. becomes youngest winner in UFC history, UFC 282 odds, parlay, best bets, prop picks, Rosas Jr., 18, sets record in UFC debut with victory, Former champion Dillashaw retires, per reports, Pavlovich smashes Tuivasa in under one minute, Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson fight set for UFC 249 in April, McGregor set to return at UFC 246 in January vs. 'Cowboy', Islam Makhachev -190 vs. Charles Oliveira +160, vacant lightweight title, Aljamain Sterling (c) -175 vs. TJ Dillashaw +150, bantamweight title, Petr Yan -270 vs. Sean O'Malley +220, bantamweights, Matuesz Gamrot -190 vs. Beneil Dariush +160, lightweights, Manon Fiorot -210 vs. Katlyn Chookagian +175, women's flyweights, Sean Brady -140 vs. Belal Muhammad +120, welterweights, Caio Borralho -200 vs. Makhmud Muradov +170, middleweights, Nikita Krylov -170 vs. Volkan Oezdemir +145, light heavyweights, Abubakar Nurmagomedov -165 vs. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev +140, welterweights, Armen Petrosyan -220 vs. A.J. [31], In his first fight after winning the title, Chandler faced Akihiro Gono in a non-title superfight at Bellator 67 on May 4, 2012. Given enough time, Smith expects Oliveira to either find an opening to force Makhachev to tap out or perhaps force the fight back to the feet where he feels Oliveira is clearly the better fighter. Islam, he just hasnt been tested, Smith said. We'll know more on Oct. 23, after Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev fight for the UFC's vacant lightweight championship. It'll be good to see the action fighter and all-around good guy coming back for some high-profile fights in the U.S. at age 38. Remarkably, Oliveira (33-8, 1 NC) still does not receive the credit he deserves, especially after beating top opponents in such dominating fashion. ^ Wrist control, rides, passes, May 7, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Charles Oliveira defends against Justin Gaethje during UFC 274 at Footprint Center. Mahjouri: Sterling and Dillashaw both have awkward footwork and plenty of wrestling experience in their back pockets. And in recent years, he has actually shown he's willing to wait for the right fight -- and that was when he didn't have any legal matters to consider. Pretending Namajunas isn't a great, entertaining or exciting fighter based on that performance is unfair. From a contrast in styles standpoint, Makhachev is the worst type of opponent for him. The main event for UFC 280 features a fantastic lightweight title fight between two men who have a process that involves pressure. Islam Makhachev -190 vs. Charles Oliveira +160, vacant lightweight title; Aljamain Sterling (c) -175 vs. TJ Dillashaw +150, bantamweight title Manny Pacquiao vs. DK Yoo: Live round-by-round updates. Gall was born in Green Brook, New Jersey. While at Missouri, Chandler was a four-time NCAA Division I qualifier, collected 100 career wins, as well as earning fifth place at NCAA's as a senior, earning DI All-American honors. Chandler compiled a 3115 record against Big 12 opponents and a 10040 overall record in his four years as a starter. Then there's Bellator, with a lightweight grand prix tournament scheduled for next year, which could be right up Alvarez's alley as someone who spent years fighting in Japan in similar events. Because Oliveira has no fear about engaging in grappling exchanges thanks to a Brazilian jiu-jitsu arsenal that has allowed him to rack up the most submission victories in UFC history, Smith feels thats going to begin chipping away at the aura of invincibility that Makhachev has built on the ground. A week after the fight, hell be 31. Then were going to celebrate.. He's looking at title shots, No. Prelims: 4 p.m. Good question. Thats right, Makhachev nine times out of 10 will either shoot takedowns with his head on his right side (Oliveiras left) or sag his head off to that same side due to his propensity to establish underhooks or leg reaps off of his left side. Follow Manny Pacquiao vs. DK Yoo live round-by-round updates for their exhibition clash Saturday. Alvarez didn't fight at all in 2020 as ONE Championship was dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. [21], In February 2011, it was announced that Chandler would be a part of the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament. At some point in time Ive just got to eat my words and say against my initial reaction to pick against him, theres something there. [97] It also earned him the second place Crypto.com "Fan Bonus of the Night" award. [27], Chandler was expected to compete against Eddie Alvarez for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship at Bellator 54 on October 15, 2011. Many people have placed the blame on Namajunas for that lackluster fight with Esparza. Rankings were generated by a voting panel made up of media members. UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen (also known as UFC Fight Night 213, UFC on ESPN+ 71 and UFC Vegas 63) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on October 29, 2022, at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States. A professional competitor since 2009, Chandler first gained notoriety when he began competing for Bellator MMA, an organization he fought for from 2010 through 2020. Perhaps Makhachev presents the answer in the form of a strategic takedown game and stifling top control. Gilbert Burns joins Brett Okamoto to explain why he wants a fight with Jorge Masvidal in the UFC. [14], Immediately after his wrestling career was over, Chandler began training mixed martial arts at Xtreme Couture. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA MARCH 06: (R-L) Islam Makhachev works for a submission against Drew Dober in their lightweight fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. After I praise Charles for an hour, Ill come up with every reason why the guy across from him has the tools to beat him. If Oliveira wins, not so much. [76], On September 17, 2020, it was announced that Chandler had signed a contract with the UFC and served as a backup for a title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. As witnessed with WWEs deal in KSA and UFC in Abu Dhabi, combat sports in that region of the world are in very high demand with a large fan base and high long-term monetary value. However, muscle memory is a major factor thats hard to control in the chaos of a fight. [63] On August 22, 2018, it was announced that Chandler had re-signed a new, exclusive multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA. Oliveira has finished Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje in three previous title fights, but Nurmagomedov thinks Makhachev is in his prime and the better fighter overall. A victory will reunite him with the belt, one he believes was wrongfully taken from him, as well as finally provide him with a level of respect he has long been seeking. Should Makhachev successfully navigate past Oliveiras multi-layered striking and submission acumen, then no one should be shocked to see the 31-year-old grind down and ground out his Brazillian foe down the stretch. Armed with flawless vision, Oliveira claims he can even see the future. Challenges associated with running events in consideration of the virus were much more complicated in Asia than in the U.S. Alvarez fought twice in April 2021: The first was a weird bout in which he had a loss rightfully overturned to a no contest due to strikes to the back of the head, and the second was a decision loss to Rae Yoon Ok. ONE has historically not kept its high-paid North American and South American talents very active, and Alvarez fought just four times for the promotion since 2019, including those two bouts in one month. All Rights Reserved. Makhachev, meanwhile, has steamrolled all of the foes placed against him. Get the latest in the world of combat sports from two of the best in the business. + Regional MMA titles I did the same thing with Chandler. [32] He won the match via technical knockout at just 56 seconds into the first round. Let's see what happens between Zhang Weili and Esparza at UFC 281 on Nov. 12. As of November 2, 2021, he is #5 in the UFC lightweight rankings. And how exactly does each fight end? [51], In May 2016, Bellator MMA president Scott Coker announced that Chandler would rematch Patricky Pitbull on June 17, 2016, at Bellator 157, now for the vacant Bellator Lightweight Championship. Namely, because he's the alleged victim in a criminal battery case involving his former opponent Jorge Masvidal. While Makhachev has looked like an unstoppable force during his current 10-fight win streak, Smith believes that Oliveiras particular set of skills will give the Russian headaches that he just hasnt faced yet in the UFC. That inactivity likely has to do with why Alvarez, the former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion, and ONE have amicably parted ways. All Rights Reserved. The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses. [41], A third fight with Alvarez was set up for the main event of Bellator 120 on May 17, 2014. Yes, hes been very successful, but who are the top five he has beaten? Masvidal and Edwards have a history -- Masvidal punched the now-champ during a scuffle backstage at a card in 2019 -- and there is interest from Masvidal's side in a title fight against Edwards, of course. UFC Fight Night womens flyweight bout: Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Arajo, UFC Fight Night bantamweight bout: Cub Swanson vs. Jonathan Martinez, UFC Fight Night flyweight bout: Brandon Royval vs. Askar Askarov, UFC Fight Night middleweight bout: Jordan Wright vs. Duko Todorovi, UFC Fight Night bantamweight bout: Raphael Assuno vs. Victor Henry. ^ Strong takedowns from the clinch Odds via Caesars Sportsbook. Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC 280, all from the incomparable expert who's up more than $13,000 on MMA in the past three-plus years, and find out. [105], American mixed martial artist (born 1986), This article is about the mixed martial artist. But realistically, Masvidal is one of the biggest box-office draws the UFC has and a fight against Edwards would likely be a huge event. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada.It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. The very best of Dillashaw remains as difficult to beat as anyone in this historically deep division. Barboza comes from Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro. Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for vacant title, UFC 282: Official scorecards fromLas Vegas, Paddy Pimblett def. Mixed martial arts career Background. Sign up for the + 10 submission wins [40] He lost the match by split decision in another classic. The first two fights in Bellator were among the best in MMA history, no hyperbole. Whether Makhachev is sniping crosses down the centerline or mixing the targets of his kicking attacks, the 31-year-old does a solid job of constantly changing his level and variating his shot selection. Possibility No. Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament quarterfinal. + Master of sports in combat sambo I would not be shocked to see Charles Oliveira get a takedown. He wanted to put his mark on the Muay Thai world by creating the biggest and best show in the nation and showcasing the incredible Muay Thai. I think Charles attacks so much and creates so many scrambles and can do that over an entire 25-minute fight if he had to, I think thats going to nullify at the very least, Islams top game and his wrestling and I think Charles Oliveiras a better striker. + Good takedown ability Oliveira has won 11 fights in a row, so clearly his vision was never too much of a weakness. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). I will prove that again when I step back in the cage.. Reach: 70.5, Camp: American Kickboxing Academy (California), Stance/striking style: Southpaw/kickboxing. UFC 280 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC). Yan is also back in action when he takes on rising contender Sean O'Malley. That is in addition to their current two-event-per-month model. In Makhachevs corner will be his mentor, Nurmagomedov, who declared him as a future champion immediately after he retired undefeated and vacated his lightweight title in October 2020. Makhachev is going to have to close distance and avoid significant danger from Oliveira's strikes. + Underrated wrestling ability He won't get that opportunity if Usman is the champ, because he already has lost to him twice. ET on ESPN+ Campbell:Is Yan a better overall fighter with a much more respected resume versus elite competition? I believed it when I do it. [53], In his first title defense, Chandler faced former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson on November 19, 2016 in the main event of Bellator 165. Masvidal hasn't needed surgery, but he has been hurt in his past few fights and has been taking this time off to heal. The problem is that Dillashaw is rarely dominated in wrestling the way former champion Petr Yan was in his rematch loss to Sterling. I think he finds shots better. Beginning in 2023, ONE is also running weekly fights in Thailand, and all these moves point to the companys desire to widen its reach around the world. Fight of the Night: Bryan Barberena vs. Robbie Lawler; Performance of the Night: Alex Pereira, Jalin Turner, and Julija Stoliarenko; The following fighters received Crypto.com "Fan Bonus of the Night" awards paid in bitcoin of US$30,000 for first place, US$20,000 for second place, and US$10,000 for third place. The expectation is he'll be able to return in early 2023. Hes 30. He was born prematurely at 28 weeks and given a 50/50 chance of surviving past infancy. [96] The win earned Chandler his second Performance of the Night bonus award. Alvarez's team told ESPN last month that he is seeking the biggest and best fights available. + Strong inside the clinch Masvidal's place as one of the biggest stars in the sport has not evaporated. Where as, I think if he jumped to lightweight, Gaethje would've been a banger of a fight. Of course, adventure only goes so far when there's money on the line. Saturday, Oct. 15, UFC Apex, Las Vegas In addition to the technical aspects of the fight, Smith knows that Oliveira is battle tested after walking through the fire in the lightweight division to earn his status while Makhachev as impressive as hes been hasnt faced the best fighters in the world yet at 155 pounds. Subsequently, they got married in 2014. [65] Chandler dominated the majority of the fight by out-wrestling Primus, ultimately defeating him by unanimous decision and regaining the Bellator Lightweight World title in the process. Namajunas could very well take on the winner of that fight with a chance to become a three-time champion. UFC acts fast, sets Teixeira-Hill title bout in Jan. Rosas, 18, victorious as UFC's youngest fighter, White calls fight fixing 'huge concern' for UFC, 'Wonderboy' broke 2 bones in hand vs. Holland, Stots taunts Sabatello after retaining Bellator title, UFC 286 announced for London in March '23, UFC's Adesanya could have charge dismissed, Raul Rosas Jr. becomes youngest UFC fighter to win in their debut. Which means, of the top five, there's only one potential opponent for Gaethje whom he hasn't already fought. Even if I didnt have a reason, Id still pick Charles Oliveira.. When youre not afraid of that and you have no fear of it at all, I think that takes away some of the power from it. [60] After Primus pulled out of the fight due to injury, Chandler faced Brandon Girtz on the same card. + *Former UFC lightweight champion Oliveira is masterful from most front-headlock variations, displaying the acumen to shift the dynamic of a position as he unleashes interweaving submission attempts as if hes firing them off from an M-60 machine gun. [84] This bout earned the Fight of the Night award. But given O'Malley's huge upside commercially and the time already missed for suspensions and slow matchmaking, it's time to find out right now. Brett Okamoto and Marc Raimondi offer a status update ahead of the busy fall schedule. But it does put him in uncertain territory, because the UFC doesn't like it when a fighter turns down a fight that makes sense, and Fiziev is doing everything he can to publicize Gaethje's decision. ^ Solid variance in shot selection Edgar, Ortega, and Max area all tough matchups. Recently, however, he was highlighted by one of the sports icons, as Randy Couture recently singled out Oliveira as someone who captures the spirit of mixed martial artsand that praise did not go unnoticed. If it's welterweight, there's really only one fight that makes sense for him, and that's Covington. Keep an eye on movement at the top of the division, and keep an eye on Conor McGregor's potential comeback. Possibility No. Globo is Brazils top sports platform, as well as the former home of the UFC in the region. Sterling's win over Yan was narrow, but it showed growth in the aftermath of the fight he appeared to be losing 11 months prior before a disqualification earned him the title. Main card: 7 p.m. + Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Dont get me wrong: Makhachev is a real talent who many, including myself, have been high on for over half a decade now. If Dillashaw can turn this into more of a kickboxing match, he just might have the edge against the often criminally underrated defending champion. You'll now receive the top MMA Junkie stories each day directly in your inbox. UFC 282 live blog: Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev. There is also a new deal soon to be announced with Globo in Brazil, Sports Illustrated has learned, which would generate a lot of momentum for ONE, especially following the successful Prime Video debut. The year 2012 was the 20th year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. Shortly after getting outwrestled by Frankie Edgar back at UFC 162, Oliveira worked diligently to improve that portion of his grappling game, as its now common to see the Brazilian outwrestling stronger fighters early and often (especially if he can get to any variation of a bodylock). Michael Chandler (born April 24, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist. Burns has wanted to come back sooner and Masvidal's timetable is still up in the air, dependent on those aforementioned injuries. Another bout between potential contenders is also on the main card when Matuesz Gamrot takes on Beneil Dariush at lightweight. 1 contender fights or money grudge matches. He did it again when Oliveira defended the belt against Dustin Poirier and then went three for three after picking Justin Gaethje to beat Oliveira in his most recent outing. The main event featured the UFC ^ Accurate hooks and uppercuts Or when youre 27 and at your physical peak, but mentally youre not there yet, because youre just 27, not 31. [12] He majored in personal finance management services with a minor in real estate. Chandler was on the honor roll every term in high school, received three letters in football, and finished as the runnerup at the MSHSAA State Championships as a senior in wrestling. It is the largest MMA promotion company in the world as of 2011. Edwards would probably have to get through a trilogy bout with Usman for that to happen. Namajunas lost her title to Carla Esparza at UFC 274 in May. The card featured five televised MMA bouts, as well as five un-aired preliminary bouts. [20], In his next Bellator appearance, Chandler competed on the Bellator 32 card on October 14, 2010, against Chris Page in a welterweight contest. A split-decision win over Sandhagen was a great first step, but Sandhagen remains a rung below championship level. Considering that, we're back to Fiziev, which doesn't interest him. Cause I have a lot of respect for that guy but even going into the Poirier fight, well Poiriers kind of the uncrowned champion here and I believe in Charles Oliveira but I think Poirier gets this done. Masvidal hasn't fought since falling to Covington at UFC 272 on March 5 because he's still recovering from several nagging injuries, the nature of which sources did not want to get into. A daily roundup of all your fighting news from MMA Fighting, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Absolute nonsense: Fighters react to Paddy Pimbletts UFC 282 decision over Jared Gordon. Getting one or two of those next year could be a lot of fun. Can't get enough boxing and MMA? O'Malley is a sniper on the feet but the direction of his fight with Pedro Munhoz, prior to the unfortunate no-contest, did not suggest to me that he is ready for a world title shot. I've been guilty of picking against Oliveira multiple times. Campbell:The scariest part of Oliveira's recent run of dramatic finishes might be what no one talks about: the fact that he welcomes so much danger to create the kind of chaos that melts his opponents. Edwards becoming champion gives him a bit of a rejuvenation in the welterweight division since Usman defeated Masvidal twice and a third fight was unlikely. + Improved overall striking Please enter a valid email and try again. Six legit future opponents for Conor McGregor not named Floyd Mayweather, he is seeking the biggest and best fights available, Covington dominated him in a five-round grudge match, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Things are constantly changing in the UFC, but I wouldn't expect Covington to make his next move until there's a little more clarity on a date for the Edwards-Usman trilogy and Chimaev's situation. Now, it is not uncommon to see Makhachev play at a much safer range when looking to set up his shots and strikes. Due to a grinding UFC schedule that features cards nearly every week of the year, it's tough for every event to feature fighters the world clamors for. That's what Gaethje will be doing. [43] Chandler instead faced Will Brooks for the interim lightweight title. Gilbert Burns has said he expects to fight Masvidal next and has already verbally accepted Masvidal as an opponent, but timing is an issue. If she wants to -- again, she does have priorities outside the Octagon -- Namajunas could end up having a huge 2023. Im done doubting him, Smith said. Fiziev is going to remain an option for Gaethje's next fight, but we'll see how this month's title fight impacts the landscape. Worst case is that you retract or start pulling out of submissions and he goes to your back or he latches onto something else. + 4 KO victories Right now, he hasn't fought in five months, so we're still well within a pretty normal range for someone of his stature. [61] He won the fight via technical submission in the first round. -- Raimondi. 1.3K votes, 165 comments. Who wins Oliveira vs. Makhachev? UFC title matchup projections: Which champions are most at risk of losing their gold? Sean Keith Sherk (born August 5, 1973) is a retired American mixed martial artist and former UFC Lightweight Champion.Sherk competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and was one of the first combatants to have been a championship competitor in multiple weight divisions (having also competed for the UFC Welterweight Championship).He was the second UFC Lightweight If you go back to Gaethje's past two fights, there have been layoffs of 12 months and six months between fights. Following the victory against Ferguson, Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler via a second-round TKO in May of 2021. Khabib Nurmagomedov expects Islam Makhachev to dominate Charles Oliveira. Then he used his rear-naked choke to submit Dustin Poirier a few months later that December, earning the victory only 62 seconds into the third round, before forcing Justin Gaethje to tap out in the first round this past May.. Next up for Oliveira is [81] Although he managed to drop Oliveira in the first, Chandler lost the fight via technical knockout early in the second round. It's not a question of if Makhachev will take Oliveira down but, instead, how many minutes each round he will control from top position and whether Oliveira, the most prolific finisher in UFC history, can establish enough submission threat to dissuade him. With so much happening on Saturday night, let's take a closer look at the full fight card with the latest odds from Caesars Sportsbook before we get to our staff predictions and picks for the PPV portion of the festivities. Were Dillashaw more active, I may lean toward him and his combination of boxing and counter-wrestling. [24], Chandler then faced Lloyd Woodard at Bellator 40 and won via unanimous decision to move onto the finals of the tournament. But if Makhachev is trying to get offensive with his takedowns like most of us suspect, then do not be surprised to see Oliveira revert to his home of front-choke counters. Santiago Ponzinibbio wants to stay active and face a top 10 opponent after pulling off a comeback finish at UFC 282. [36] However, on June 2, it was announced that Jansen had pulled out of the bout due to an injury[37] and faced David Rickels at Bellator 97 instead. Thats given me even more strength to keep progressing. Thats all I can say. [62], In late June 2018, reports surfaced that Chandler's contract with Bellator would expire imminently, making him a free agent. Its not going to be your typical singles and doubles, s*** like that, but I would not be shocked to see him end up on the fence and see him start crawling to some weird clinch and dragging Islam down, tripping him up or something like that. I knocked them out or submitted them. [47], Chandler faced Derek Campos on June 19, 2015 at Bellator 138. + Hard kicks from the left side Oliveira was stripped of his lightweight title after missing weight before his bout against Justin Gaethje. I dont know why I do that. [104], Chandler owns Training Camp, a fitness and MMA gym in Nashville. [29] The bout was then rescheduled to take place on November 19, 2011 at Bellator 58. section: | slug: ufc-280-predictions-charles-oliveira-vs-islam-makhachev-fight-card-odds-prelims-expert-picks-preview | sport: mma | route: article_single.us | He was voted the Most Valuable Wrestler during his senior season and was selected to the All-St. Louis Team. Makhachev, hes following someone elses way, says Oliveira, addressing whether there is too much hype surrounding Makhachev. I think I'll rock with "Do Bronx" this time. The timing works in ONEs favor with Kade Ruotolo competing for the second-ever submission grappling title next week at ONE on Prime Video 3. There's no question about it. + Superb transitional grappler He is following Khabibhes his successor. He wants to fight for the belt again. [101], Chandler started dating Brie Willett in 2013 after emailing for almost two years. There is no title fight to return to at the moment because the UFC is already working on a trilogy bout between Edwards and Usman. For other people named Michael Chandler, see. [54] He won the back-and-forth bout via split decision. And when someone is under severe duress, they tend to revert back to their base of comfort. This is probably the reason why Oliveira does some of his best striking when either flowing to or from his favored single-collar-tie positions. [74] He won the fight via knockout in the first round. "The Underground King" was nicknamed that because of his many accolades that flew under the radar in smaller promotions. Ive beat former champions. But there are a number of prominent fighters whose next bouts should be coming around the corner. Although Im glad to see this betting line come back down to earth, part of me is still shocked to see so many people doubt Oliveira at this point in his career. Islam isnt 23, 26 or 27. 1 and No. [33], Chandler made the first defense of his title against Bellator Season Six Lightweight Tournament Winner Rick Hawn, on January 17, 2013 at Bellator 85. Makhachev has never faced a fighter this potent in the particular areas stated above, as I see Slim Charles wrapping up a submission by the second round leaving no doubt who the real king is at 155 pounds. An offensive marauder who can Thai march forward behind a high guard, Charles Oliveira offers a plethora of problems on the feet. Again, he is following someone elses way. He doesn't lose out on anything by chilling right now. [64], Chandler's anticipated rematch with Brent Primus took place on December 14, 2018, at Bellator 212. [83] After a back-and-forth fight, Chandler lost the bout via unanimous decision. [15], Chandler made his Strikeforce debut on November 20, 2009 at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears where he fought Richard Bouphanouvong, He won the bout via technical knockout in the second round. The UFC could try to book Covington vs. Chimaev on the same card as Edwards vs. Usman III to set up the next title challenger. [59], In a rematch, Chandler was expected to challenge Brent Primus for the Bellator Lightweight Championship on April 13, 2018 at Bellator 197. He looked positively frozen by the threat of Pedro Munhoz in his last outing and Munhoz wasn't doing much in that fight. The Russian native has won 10 in a row since his lone pro defeat in 2015 with his last four coming by stoppage. + 15 first-round finishes Anthony Smith has often heaped praise on Charles Oliveira since Do Bronx became the best lightweight in the UFC, but continuously found himself picking Oliveiras opponents when it came time to make actual predictions for his fights. felony aggravated battery for allegedly punching, Masvidal punched the now-champ during a scuffle backstage at a card in 2019. The former two-time UFC women's strawweight champion has been very clear that there is more to her life than just fighting. 6-keys: media/spln/mma/reg/free/stories, at Sterling secured a split decision win over Petr Yan earlier this year to silence the critics of his winning the title from Yan by disqualification in their first meeting. There are two possibilities at the moment. During the winning streak, only once has Oliveira gone to decisionand that took place in 2020 after he dominated Tony Ferguson for three full rounds. The UFC knows it, and has looked into booking that matchup. I think that [Oliveira] attacks submission after submission after submission until eventually Islams going to have to retract and pull out of something and I think that hes going to stand up straight to his feet, Smith said. Israel Mobolaji Odunayo Oluwafemi Temitayo Owolabi Adesanya (born 22 July 1989) is a New Zealand professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer, and former boxer with multiple championships in all three disciplines. Fellow southpaw Adriano Martins may have been able to audit Makhachevs early aggression with a perfectly placed check hook at UFC 192, but the Dagestani fighter has been steadily making improvements to his striking since his lone setback. Favoring single and double collar-tie variations in the clinch, Makhachev does a good job of utilizing well-placed knees to manipulate defenses and create openings. 1: Edwards defends his title against Usman in a trilogy bout in the first quarter of 2023, and Covington slides in as the next title challenger. + 9 KO victories Its not just because of just saying it. Oliveira captalizes upon his opponent's mistakes, often in the midst of chaos. Aside from having tremendous hip and grip awareness, Makhachev is one of my favorite fighters to point to in regard to demonstrating the importance of wrist control. [34] He won the bout via submission in the second round. That fight could happen in January, but it's nowhere near decided. If he were to win both of those, he'd be in conversation for Fighter of the Year, and his bank account would reap the rewards. ONE has also committed to paying the largest purses for Muay Thai in the country. [18], Chandler made his Bellator debut on September 30, 2010, at Bellator 31, where he defeated Scott Stapp via technical knockout in the first round. The media members were asked to vote for who they feel are the top fighters in the UFC by weight-class and pound-for-pound. Khabib Abdulmanapovich Nurmagomedov (born 20 September 1988) is a Russian former professional mixed martial artist.He competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he was the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, having held the title from April 2018 to March 2021.With 29 wins and no losses, he retired with an Islam is at his peak. Chandler earned runnerup honors in the 2008 and 2009 Big 12 Championships and was awarded automatic bids to three of the four NCAA Championships he competed in. UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Araujo [44] He lost the back-and-forth bout by split decision. Masvidal has lost three fights in a row, so some will be up in arms about giving him another title shot (he has lost to Usman twice). Then he used his rear naked choke to submit Dustin Poirier a few months later that December, earning the victory only 62 seconds into the third round, before forcing Justin Gaethje to tap out in the first round this past May. I think he attacks the body better. She is also helping her grandmother, who just emigrated to the U.S. from Lithuania, get settled in her new country. Whether Makhachev is working from his favored single-leg position or hitting slick trips and tosses from tie-ups, the product from Dagestan displays solid adaptability in wrestling scenarios. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! The biggest PPV event of the year is finally here. The 24-country MENA deal is so valuable, as it is lucrative, in terms of money and tapping into the worlds fight fans. Everyone Islam has fought, for the most part, has been terrified of his wrestling and his top game. [42] However, a week before the bout, it was announced that Alvarez had suffered a concussion and was forced to pull out of the fight. Darren Till needs some time to "rethink stuff" after falling to a three-fight losing skid with his defeat at UFC 282. [22] In the opening round of the tournament, Chandler faced Marcin Held, at Bellator 36 on March 12, 2011. It produces events worldwide that showcase 12 weight divisions (eight men's Sign up for the MMA Junkie newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. I think he can neutralize the wrestling at the very least. Aside from an excellent utilization of front teeps, the Brazilian standout also has a long, prodding jab Im not doing it anymore. Dillashaw is back after a year away because of injury and also not too far away from a two-year drug suspension that cost him the title. Depending on what happens at UFC 280, Gaethje's 2023 looks like it's going to start off with him waiting for something good to come along. 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