Robert ShilkovichCorrespondent SportAll materialsHabib's protégé crushed the ex-champion, took the belt and now will fight with the best UFC fighter, regardless of the weight category.Full of the brightest names, the UFC 280 card was crowned with a signboard for the fight for the vacant lightweight title between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev. This fight was one of the most anticipated in 2022, because the Russian has long and loudly declared his claims to the title and finally waited for the chance. It was Makhachev who approached the fight as a favorite. Before entering the octagon, the winning streak of the 31-year-old fighter reached ten fights, of which Islam completed six ahead of schedule. However, the opponent's winstreak was no less impressive — 11 victories in a row. And what about Oliveira? He won the title in the spring of 2021 by knocking out Michael Chandler, and at the end of the year he made a successful defense against former champion Dustin Poirier. The Brazilian lost his belt due to a failure in the weight race — he did not meet the limit before the fight with Justin Gati, whom he strangled in the first round of the fight in the intermediate weight category. In the battle with Islam, Charles had something to prove. However, the beginning of the fight was dictated by the Russian. Islam confidently took the initiative and controlled the opponent on the ground for most of the first round, only at the very end of the five-minute period, missing a dangerous kick that Oliveira delivered from a prone position. In the second round, Makhachev continued to press, but Oliveira effectively defended himself from the takedown, so after a while the fighters began to exchange blows in the rack. The Russian was cautious, but soon caught the moment and sent the Brazilian to the canvas with an accurate blow to the jaw. Oliveira was noticeably shocked, and Makhachev's victory became a matter of time — Islam masterfully performed a choke hold and forced Charles to surrender. This fight cannot be called an upset — Makhachev came up as a favorite, but many expected more serious competition from Oliveira, who systematically cleared the light division. Now the championship belt has returned to Dagestan — two years after Khabib Nurmagomedov left the sport. What lies ahead for Islam? It is likely that he will make his first title defense against the champion of the featherweight division and the best fighter, regardless of the weight category, Alexander Volkanovski. The Aussie even stepped into the octagon to face the newly minted champion for the first time. Khabib also wants this confrontation, who said that he and Islam are ready to fly to Australia at any time. The fighters intend to continue the show — now the word is up to Dana White.
