Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev: Fight card, odds, prelims, expert picks, preview

UFC returns to the Middle East for UFC 280 on Saturday night from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main event is a lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev. Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling takes on former champion TJ Dillashaw in the co-main event. Yan is also back in action when he takes against rising contender Sean O'Malley. Matuesz Gamrot takes a shot at the lightweight championship against Beneil Dariush. Welterweight contenders Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady are set to fight in a featured prelim bout.

Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, Petr Yan, Matuesz Gamrot, Manon Fiorot, Shay Brady, Caio Borralho, Nikita Krylov, Volkan Oezdemir, Abubakar Nurmagomedov, Armen Petrosyan, Muhammad Mokaev, Karol Rosa, Lina Lansberg are the main event of UFC 280.

Islam Makhachev -190 vs. Charles Oliveira +160, vacant lightweight title. Petr Yan -270 vs Sean O'Malley +220, bantamweights Matuesz Gamrot - 190 vs Beneil Dariush + 160, lightweights Manon Fiorot -210 vs Katlyn Chookagian +175, women's flyweights Sean Brady -140 vs Belal Muhammad +120, welterweights Caio Borralho -200 vs Makmud Muradov +170, middleweights Nikita Krylov -170 vs Volkan Oezdemir +145, heavyweights Abubakar Nurmagomedov -165 vs Gadzhi Omargadzhiev +140, and Armen Petrosyan -220 vs A.J. Dobson +180.

Charles Oliveira fights Islam Makhachev at UFC 280.

Oliveira is the most prolific finisher in UFC history. Makhachev is a protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Oliveira has recently won his last fights by knockout. Campbell and Mikhalukov are unsure if Oliveiras can stop Mkhachev's attack.

Brookhouse can't pick against Oliveira. Mahjouri thinks the main event is a coin toss. Makhachev is going to have to close distance and avoid significant danger from Oliveiras' strikes. He might be able to maul Olivei but he has to be careful for every second to not get caught in a submission.

Dillashaw is the defending champion. He is 36 and has had several injuries and a drug test. His opponent Sterling is a better wrestler. He has the motor to go late and the grit to fight through anything. If he can turn the fight into a kickboxing match, he might have the edge.

Charles Oliveira fights Islam Makhachev. Dillashaw has only fought once in the last 33 months. He won a split decision over Cory Sandhagen. He and Oliverai are going to play for points. They will probably go for the takedown. The winner will take the title.

Yan is a better overall fighter than O'Malley. O's is confident and dynamic. Yan has the patience to avoid recklessness and the power to make O’Malley wither. Mahjouri expects Yan to take over in the second round. O'tMalley is not ready for a world title shot. He is long, explosive and creative. His last fight with Pedro Munhoz was inconclusive. The winner will leapfrog the field at 135 pounds and secure the next shot at the title.

Charles Oliveira fights Islam Makhachev. O'Malley has struggled in the Octagon recently. Yan will work over O’Malley's legs at range.