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There’s a new champion in the 155-pound division. Islam Makhachev made relatively quick work of Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 280 to claim the vacant lightweight crown on Saturday night. The win completed an incredible journey for UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Makhachev knocked the former champion down in round 1 before dropping him in round 2 and securing a strange arm-triangle choke. After the win, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski was called to the ring to push for a champion-champion fight in Volkanovski’s Australian backyard in February.
In the other title fight of the night, Aljamain Sterling took advantage of a vulnerable TJ Dillashaw to earn a TKO victory and retain his title. Dillashaw told reporters after the fight that he blew out his shoulder in April and it continued to be an issue throughout training camp. The injury resurfaced in Round 1 when Dillashaw’s shoulder appeared to pop out before his corner could snap it back into place. Sterling continued to press forward, however, and punished the former champion with ground and pound before the fight was called off.
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CBS Sports was with you throughout fight week with the latest news, in-depth features and betting tips to keep in mind. Thanks for stopping by and see you at UFC 281 in New York in November.
UFC 280 fight card, results
- Islam Makhachev def. Charles Oliveira via second round submission (head and arm choke)
- Aljamain Sterling (c) def. TJ Dillashaw by second round TKO (fists)
- Sean O’Malley defeated. Petr Yan by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Beneil Dariush defeated. Matuesz Gamrot by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Manon Fiorot def. Katlyn Chookagian by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Belal Muhammad defeated. Sean Brady by second round TKO (fists)
- Caio Borralho def. Makhmud Muradov by decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Nikita Krylov defeated. Volkan Oezdemir by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Abubakar Nurmagomedov def. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Armen Petrosyan defeated. AJ Dobson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Muhammad Mokaev def. Malcolm Gordon via third round submission (armbar)
- Karol Rosa def. Lina Lansberg by majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)