Surprise reward for Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira winner revealed as UFC 280 stakes get raised
Stakes have been raised for the UFC 280 headliner clash between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev. The winner of the showdown between the two grappling wizards to determine the lightweight champion of the UFC will also be awarded a premium accolade.
The stage is set at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for the highly anticipated clash between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev. In an attempt to raise the value of the victor, the UFC has announced that the winner will be awarded a "5 star" rating in the EA Sports UFC game.
Israel Adesanya, Jon Jones, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko have been the only fighters up until now to hold the distinction.
At UFC 280, former UFC lightweight champion Oliveira is back on the hunt for gold. Standing across the cage to challenge him will be former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov's protege Islam Makhachev. Both fighters have a combined win streak of 21-0 going into the main event clash.
While 'do Bronx' is brimming with confidence that he will knock out his Dagestani rival in the first round, Makhachev aims to put an end to the rampant run of the Brazilian.
No backing down 💢
@CharlesDoBronxs takes on @MakhachevMMA for the undisputed LW championship TOMORROW!
[ #UFC280 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: ufc.ac/3BIPnuM ] https://t.co/suAariyOW2
UFC 280 fighters are on a staggering combined win streak
UFC 280 is arguably one of the most stacked pay-per-view cards this year. Besides the two title fights set to headline the event, several surging contenders and fan-favorite names will be featured on the card.
Charles Oliveira will clash against Islam Makhachev in a hotly contested matchup to determine the UFC lightweight champion. In the co-main event, Aljamain Sterling will fight former two-time bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw in his second title defense.
Interestingly, at the time of writing, the fighters at UFC 280 are on an impressive 82-fight combined unbeaten streak. Oliveira and Makhachev lead the count with 11 and 10-fight win streaks, respectively. Ten out of the 11 victories have come by finishes for the former Brazilian lightweight champion.
Fellow lightweight contender Beneil Dariush is on a striking seven-fight win streak himself. Meanwhile, his opponent Mateusz Gamrot is on a four-fight unbeaten run with three finishes.
Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling hasn't tasted defeat in his last seven fights, whereas 135lbs contender Sean O'Malley hasn't been defeated since his fight against Marlon Vera back at UFC 252 in August 2020. Rising flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev extended his undefeated record to 9-0 with a submission win over Malcolm Gordon earlier tonight. The 22-year-old has one no-contest on his record.
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