UFC 280 recap: Makhachev's title night at Etihad Arena and its UFC 333 links
In October 2022 Islam Makhachev won the lightweight belt in Abu Dhabi, Petr Yan lost a split decision and Nikita Krylov won on the prelims.
UFC 280 at Etihad Arena on 22 October 2022 is one of the most important cards ever held in Abu Dhabi, and several of its names are back for UFC 333. In the main event, Islam Makhachev submitted Charles Oliveira with an arm-triangle choke at 3:17 of the second round to become lightweight champion, extending his win streak to 11.
In the co-main event, Aljamain Sterling kept the bantamweight title with a second-round TKO of TJ Dillashaw at 3:44. Sterling is back in Abu Dhabi this week for a fan Q&A before the UFC 333 ceremonial weigh-ins.
The most debated result of the night involved Petr Yan. He lost a split decision to Sean O'Malley, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28, a fight that went a long way to launching O'Malley's title run. Four years later, Yan returns to Etihad Arena as champion to face Merab Dvalishvili in their trilogy.
Nikita Krylov was also on the card, beating Volkan Oezdemir by unanimous decision on the prelims. He fights Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev at UFC 333. Other winners that night included Beneil Dariush, Manon Fiorot, Belal Muhammad, Caio Borralho and Muhammad Mokaev, according to UFC.com. UFC 333 returns to the same arena on Saturday 24 October, with Alexander Volkanovski defending the featherweight title against Movsar Evloev.
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs EvloevSat 24 Oct · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi See ticketsSource: UFC.com
