UFC 280 predictions: Fighters and analysts predict lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev

The UFC 280 headliner is a clash of two different fighting styles. The event is slated to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 22.

The Dagestani likes to progressively win positions and hunt for a submission after taking his foes down. He is defensive-minded on the feet but walks his opponents down nonetheless. Favela's pride, 'do Bronx', comes out with guns blazing from the get-go. He is an extremely technical and ruthless striker who marches onward like a heat-seeking missile. His grappling wizardry makes him a dangerous threat even from his back.

Charles 'do Bronx' Oliviera and Islam Makhachev will compete for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 280. Analysts, fighters, and fans started speculating on the outcome of this match-up even before it was announced.

Check out MMA Crazy's video on fighter predictions for UFC 280's main event:

Beneil Dariush, the No.6-ranked contender in the lightweight division, stated he is leaning towards Islam Makhachev by a small margin, though he thinks Charles Oliviera could definitely pull off the win.

The No.-5 ranked UFC lightweight Michael Chandler does not see Islam winning that fight:

"What Charles Oliviera has done - finishing everybody that he's fighting - is nothing short of amazing. The resurgence of Charles Oliviera's career from relatively unknown, can't be relied upon journey-man, to now a legitimate No.1 lightweight on the planet is something to behold. So, put some respect on Charles Oliviera's name...I honestly think he finishes him [Makhachev]."

Liverpool's breakout MMA star Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett thinks that Charles Oliviera will get a finish within three rounds. Although he considers Makhachev to be a quality fighter, Pimblett thinks he has not fought the caliber of opponents that Oliveira has fought.

Former UFC middleweight title contender Chael Sonnen has Makhachev as a 3:1 favorite against 'do Bronx'. He thinks that Islam takes him down and beats him up for all five rounds.

Check out Chael Sonnen's breakdown of Oliviera vs. Makhachev:

---

UFC 280 predictions: What do Oliviera and Makhachev think of this bout?

Both fighters seem supremely confident in their ability to win. Betting odds have Charles Oliviera as the underdog. The official Draftkings sportsbook has Islam as the -180 favorite against Charles Oliviera, who was a +155 underdog at the time of writing.

In an interview with Brett Okamoto on ESPN, Charles Oliviera said that he doesn't even consider Makhachev his toughest opponent to date. He suggested that he took on all opponents regardless of who they were, while Makhachev hasn't even fought top lightweights. He further stated that he will "shock the world" at UFC 280.

Here's the clip of Brett Okamoto's interview with Charles Oliviera on ESPN MMA:

In a hilarious interview with DC & RC on ESPN MMA, Islam Makhachev dismissed Charles Oliviera, stating that he got finished 7 times in his career. He further stated that Oliviera doesn't know English and that's a requirement if you want to be successful.

Here is the link to Islam Makhachev's interview with DC & RC on ESPN MMA: