With the biggest card of the year closing in TGH takes a look at the key fights in UFC 280.
Many were surprised to see that Sean O’Malley finally got his wish in fighting former champion Petr Yan. Yan is coming off of a stunning defeat at the hands of Aljamain Sterling. Sterling dominated his rival with his stunning groundwork, winning back the belt.
Many do not think that O’Malley is ready for this fight. O’Malley has a mixed career so far, as he dominates nearly every fighter put in front of him. Yet many say that his competition isn’t the best. O’Malley’s only career loss was against the only ranked fighter he fought in Marlon Vera.
O’Malley famously renounces that loss as he suffered from a leg injury which ultimately ended the fight. Even though fans question O’Malley’s strength of opponents, he is one of the most popular fighters in the sport. He will have to crowd on his side in Abu Dhabi.
O’Malley’s three-inch height and five-inch reach advantage will most likely give him a considerable advantage while standing up. But Petr Yan is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport, and it looms the question, is Sean O’Malley ready for this level of competition?
Prediction: Petr Yan via Decision
This may be the best fight on the UFC 280 card. The majority of UFC fans thought that Aljamain Sterling didn’t deserve to be champion until he shut everybody up when he defeated Petr Yan at UFC 273.
The former champion T.J. Dillashaw took a small hiatus from the octagon but came back swinging. In his return fight, he was a part of an all-out brawl against the emerging Cory Sandhagen. He won that fight via decision in a fight that could of gone either way. That was enough for Dana White to give Dillashaw another title shot against Sterling.
This can turn out to be an odd fight. Sterling is great on the ground with his Jiu-Jitsu while Dillashaw is a brawler who goes out there to knock his opponent out. We will have to see if Dillashaw can do what Yan couldn’t in stopping Sterling’s back control.
Sterling is a capable stand-up fighter but will most likely avoid that type of fight at all costs if he wants to keep the Bantamweight belt.
Prediction: T.J. Dillashaw via KO in Round 2
This headliner fight will not disappoint. Both fighters had two very different journeys to get here. Olivera was a journeyman who became dominant as of late. Makhachev has only known dominance as he is 12-0 in the UFC.
Both fighters can get the job done in any way. Makhachev has shown no weaknesses in his craft which is the sole reason why he is favored. The one weakness in Olivera’s game that we see every fight is his chin.
In nearly every fight it seems that Olivera is knocked out. This actually becomes his greatest strength as fighters who stun Olivera go for the kill. Olivera has the best ground and submission game in the sport and even if he is half-knocked out, he will strangle his opponent and retain the belt.
We have seen this over and over again, as he did this against Dustin Poirer and most recently Justin Gauthje. I advise for everyone to stop doubting the man as he has cleaned out the best division in the UFC.
Prediction: Olivera via Submission Round 1
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