UFC 280 – Severe MMA Staff Predictions

Abu Dhabi will play host once again, as UFC 280 serves up the promotion’s best card of the year to date. The good news for Irish/UK fans is it’s also prime time viewing, with a 7pm main card. The bad news is it’s one of the rare PPV events applicable to this region, so you’ll have to fork out to purchase it.

The main event pits the lightweight king without a crown, Brazilian Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira, against Dagestan’s latest sensation Islam Makhachev. 11-fight win streak vs 10-fight win streak. The consensus two best 155lbs fighters on the planet. It’s easy to make this comparison, but it truly feels like this is our reward for the many failed attempts at matching Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov. The MMA Gods are stern but fair. Dare I say, Oliveira vs Makhachev is an even better fight on paper!

In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will defend his belt against disgraced former 135lbs king, TJ Dillashaw. “Funk Master” rightfully earned his stature at the top of the division, commanding his due respect in his rematch victory over Petr Yan last time out. On the other hand, Dillashaw squeezed past Cory Sandhagen via Split Decision in his return to the UFC, following a 2-year ban for PEDs.

For a full breakdown of this stacked card, check out the Severe MMA UFC 280 Preview Show. We’ll also have a watch-along live stream on fight night, so make sure to join us.

For now, here are our staff picks. Let us know over on Twitter who you’re backing. Enjoy the fights!

Andy is a multimedia reporter, interviewer, writer, with a strong focus on Irish MMA. Co-host of The Auld Triangle podcast. Follow Andy on Twitter (@andyste123) and Instagram (@andystevensonMMA).

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