Five reasons to watch UFC 280, with Charles do Bronx vs Islam Makhachev for the lightweight belt

C. do Bronx and I. Makhachev face each other at the ceremonial weigh-in of the UFC 280 (Photo: Instagram/@ufc_brasil)

Ladies and gentlemen, the day has come. After much provocation from both sides, Charles of the Bronx e Islam makhachev They will finally step into the octagon to define the new lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg). In the co-main fight, aljamain sterling face the veteran TJ Dillashaw in a duel valid for the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2kg). In total, 12 fights are scheduled for the card, which will feature three Brazilian athletes. The show will be held at the Ettihad Arena, in Abu Dhabi (UAE).

To get in the mood, the team at SUPER FIGHTS selected five reasons for you to follow the UFC 280. Check out:

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See too

Victory over TJ Dillashaw could make Aljamain Sterling turn his career around; understand

'Do Bronx x Makhachev' pits two of the UFC's biggest winning streaks face to face

Islam Makhachev before UFC fight. Photo: Rperodução/Instagram

From 'Khabib's shadow' to favoritism at UFC 280: learn the story behind Islam Makhachev's success

1) – Charles do Bronx x Islam Makhachev

C. do Bronx and I. Makhachev facing each other before the UFC 280 (Photo: Reproduction/Youtube)

Even after having his belt taken away due to problems with the scale in his last fight, Charles of the Bronx continues to show that his confidence was not shaken by this incident. The Brazilian continues to make a point of saying that 'the champion has a name' and guarantees that nothing takes his mind off the fact that he is going for another title defense. However, this time, the fight against Islam makhachev escaped the limits of fight week.

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Since the confrontation against the Russian was made official, Do Bronx and Islam began a constant exchange of provocations, including 'doubts' as to whether the Brazilian would even show up in Abu Dhabi to fight. Without being shaken by any 'pricks', Charles remained focused on his work and promised to knock out his pupil. Khabib Nurmagomedov still in the first round.

Regardless of the result, the winner of the duel will be the legitimate 'successor to Khabib' who retired undefeated in October 2020. For Charles, a victory represents a possible place in the 'MMA Olympus' as the greatest lightweight in the history of the sport. For Makhachev, a triumph means confirmation of a 'legend' that has been circulating behind the scenes for a long time: the Russian fighter is better and more talented than his mentor and is fully capable of writing an even greater legacy than the 'Eagle' .

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2) – Possible return of Khabib Nurmagomedov

I. Makhachev is appointed as K. Nurmagomedov's successor in MMA. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Having just completed two years of retirement, Khabib has always made it clear that he never thought about going back on his decision, but since the duel between Do Bronx and Makhachev was made official, speculation has grown intensely. Behind the scenes, there is talk that a possible victory for Charles would make the Brazilian the greatest lightweight in the history of the sport, which could upset the undefeated former champion and make him return to the octagon to show 'who's boss'.

Khabib hung up his gloves after his victory over Justin gaethje, in October 2020. Then lightweight champion, the Russian retired from the scene with an undefeated record of 29 victories and etched his name in the history of the sport, already guaranteed to be in the organization's Hall of Fame.

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3) – Aljamain Sterling x TJ Dillashaw; Will we have a (not so) new champion?

A. Sterling and TJ Dillashaw face each other at the ceremonial weigh-in (Photo: Instagram/@ufc_brasil)

With the (temporary?) end of the rivalry with Petr yan, time to aljamain sterling follow your path in the bantamweight division. At the UFC 280, the 'Funk Master' will face one of the biggest names in the history of the category: TJ Dillashaw, who is coming to his first title fight since serving a two-year suspension for doping. A new triumph for the fighter from the 'Serra Longo' team could erase the bad impression made on fans since winning the belt in March 2021.

Fight week also unfolded with a huge exchange of taunts between the two fighters. Sterling accused Dillashaw of being a 'cheat' and said he did not believe he no longer uses banned substances. The former champion assured that he made 'just one mistake' and responded by saying that the 'Funk Master' would already be looking for excuses for a possible defeat.

After serving a two-year suspension for doping, TJ Dillashaw returned to the octagon in July 2021 beating Cory Sandhagen in a controversial split decision. Already 36 years old, the former Team Alpha Male still underwent a long recovery to treat a knee injury and despite some complaints from fans, he will have the opportunity to regain the reign he lost almost four years ago.

4 ) – First elite challenge for Sean O'Malley

P. Yan and S. O'Malley face each other at the weigh-in UFC 280 (Photo: Instagram/@ufc)

Considered one of the organization's biggest prospects today, Sean O'Malley will have his first challenge in the elite bantamweight division. At the UFC 280, 'Sugar' will face the former champion Petr yan and to liven up the duel, the organization has already promised a 'bonus': the winner of the clash will be the next challenger in the category against the winner of the clash between aljamain sterling e TJ Dillashaw.

Coming from the 'Contender Series', O'Malley arrived in Ultimate in 2017 and has always stood out for his 'ostentatious' style and his victories in the Octagon, almost all of them via the fast track. However, fans criticized the organization's excessive protection of their pupil and complained about the lack of high-level opponents for the boy with the extravagant hair. If you win Petr yan, the sky will be the limit for 'Sugar'.

Former owner of the belt, Yan tries to resume his path towards the throne after two consecutive defeats to aljamain sterling. The Russian has very high level boxing and has victories over big names like José Aldo, Uriah Faber and Cory Sandhagen. If O'Malley wins, a trilogy against Sterling will be on the horizon for the former belt owner.

5) – Brazil on the card

C. Borralho makes his weight calmly for the UFC 280 (Photo: Twitter)

Besides Charles of the Bronx, two other Brazilians will climb into the octagon of UFC 280, in Abu Dhabi. Average weight (up to 83,9kg) Caio Borralho will face the hard Makhmud Muradov, from Tajikistan. At bantamweight (up to 61,2kg) Karol Rosa will measure forces against Swedish Lina Lansberg.

Hired by Ultimate in 2019, Karol had four consecutive victories since her debut, but was defeated by the veteran Sara McMann in her last duel, which took place in March 2022. The Brazilian athlete has a record in the sport of 15 triumphs and four setbacks.

Fighting in the UFC since 2021, Caio Borralho won his two fights in the organization so far, against Gadzhi Omargadzhiev and Armen petrosyan. The clash against Muradov will be the Brazilian's first duel on a major company stage. The Brazilian athlete has a record of 12 wins, one defeat and one no-contest.