5 questions that will be answered at UFC 280: Oliveira vs. Makhachev

After over a month of relatively slow MMA action on tap, the UFC is set to return in a big way this weekend. UFC 280: Oliveira vs. Makhachev, one of the most highly anticipated pay-per-views of the year, will be underway at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

UFC 280 fan-made poster [Image via @needingart on Instagram]

The blockbuster event will highlight the two best divisions in the UFC – lightweight and bantamweight. With two championship bouts atop the bill and a number of intriguing and explosive matchups throughout the undercard, this is shaping up to be a truly memorable showcase for the global MMA leader.

On that note, here are five questions that will be answered at UFC 280: Oliveira vs. Makhachev.

#5. Which up-and-coming prospects will edge closer to a title shot?

The hype and anticipation surrounding the upcoming pay-per-view will more than likely draw a ton of attention. This will allow the lesser-known undercard fighters and up-and-coming prospects an opportunity to make the most of a massive platform.

Polish lightweight Mateusz Gamrot will edge closer to a title shot if he comes out on top this Saturday. The former two-division KSW champion has vaulted up the rankings since signing with the promotion just two years ago. His four wins in the octagon thus far have carried him to the No.9 spot on the lightweight ladder.

At UFC 280, Gamrot will take on No.6-ranked Beneil Dariush, who's been on the roster since 2014. While a win doesn't guarantee a shot at gold, 'Gamer' can further boost his stock in the eyes of the promotion and the fanbase with an impressive victory.

Sean Brady, one of the most highly touted prospects in the welterweight division, is also set to return to action this weekend. The undefeated phenom boasts a stellar professional record of 15-0, with five UFC wins under his belt.

Currently occupying the No.8 spot in the 170-pound rankings, Brady will face the toughest test of his career when he takes on perennial welterweight contender Belal Muhammad, who sits at No.5.

The always durable Muhammad has an uncanny ability to neutralize almost every opponent he faces. If Brady can impose his dominant grappling skillset and edge out a win, he will likely break into the welterweight top five. If the Philadelphia native manages to secure a finish, it'll serve as a real statement of intent.

Other prospects to keep an eye on at UFC 280 include unbeaten flyweight Muhammad Mokaev, surging Brazilian Caio Barralho, and striking savant Armen Petrosyan. All three fighters will be making their third appearance in the UFC.

UFC 280 prelim matchups [Images via @mokaev_muhammad, @caiobarralho & @armen_t_petrosyan on Instagram]

#4. Can Manon Fiorot seal a date with UFC flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko?

Apart from a rematch with Taila Santos, there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of interesting matchups for reigning flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, one of the most dominant champions in the UFC right now. 'Bullet' has already beaten most top-ranked fighters at 125 pounds, with two notable exceptions: Alexa Grasso and Manon Fiorot.

No.5-ranked Grasso moved one step closer to a title shot last week with her unanimous decision win over Viviane Araujo, but didn't really put a stamp on her performance. At UFC 280, No.6-ranked Fiorot could vault herself into a championship fight when she takes on former title challenger Katlyn Chookagian, who sits at No.1.

Manon Fiorot is among the most credentialled prospects to ever sign with the UFC. Prior to joining the world's premier MMA promotion, 'The Beast' held titles at the amateur level at the IMMAF Championships before winning the flyweight belts at EFC and Abu Dhabi Warriors.

She has enjoyed a scorching start to her UFC career, winning her first four fights quite easily to break into the flyweight top 10. With Valentina Shevchenko running out of challengers atop the division, Fiorot has seemingly been fast-tracked up the rankings by the UFC brass.

However, in order to earn a fight with Shevchenko, Fiorot will have to get past Katlyn Chookagian, which is no easy feat. 'Blonde Fighter' has been stuck with the No.1 spot for quite some time now, having beaten most contenders but coming up short against the champion. A win over Chookagian all but guarantees a title shot.

A finish against Chookagian, who has only been stopped by former champions so far, could drum up quite a bit of intrigue for a fight between Fiorot and Shevchenko down the line.

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#3. Is Sean O'Malley truly elite?

Since his appearance on the inaugural season of Dana White's Contender Series back in 2017, Sean O'Malley has blossomed into one of the biggest stars in the sport. The flamboyant bantamweight has picked up six wins since then, including five highlight reel knockouts.

O'Malley is among the most lethal strikers across the entire UFC roster. Apart from his unfortunate loss to Marlon Vera wherein he sustained a rare injury and a no-contest against Pedro Munhoz due to an inadvertent eye poke, 'Sugar' has put on one striking masterclass after another to solidify his status as one of the most watchable and entertaining fighters in the world.

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While his savvy self-promotion tactics and resounding popularity with the fanbase are all well and good, O'Malley is yet to beat a championship caliber fighter. He will have the opportunity to do just that when he takes on Petr Yan at UFC 280.

Yan is as good as they come at 135 pounds. The marauding Russian is clearly the best striker in the division and many still hail 'No Mercy' as the best bantamweight around. The former champion has never been finished in his professional career, and prior to his two-fight series with current titleholder Aljamain Sterling, was considered among the pound-for-pound best in the promotion.

This is a massive step-up in competition for O'Malley. However, it isn't the worst matchup by any means. The American will have a significant height and reach advantage over his Russian counterpart. This being a three-round fight also favors 'Sugar' as Yan is typically a slow starter.

Considering Yan's reputation, a win for O'Malley will silence his doubters and put him in a prime position to contest UFC gold. It will also terminate any question marks regarding his standing in the division and whether 'The Sugar Show' hype is warranted.

Yan vs. O'Malley fan-made poster [Image via @needingart on Instagram]

#2. Can T.J. Dillashaw re-claim the belt he never really lost?

Before his two-year USADA suspension, T.J. Dillashaw was widely regarded as one of the best fighters on the roster.

The TUF alum shocked the world when he dethroned long-reigning titleholder Renan Barao back in 2014 as a heavy underdog to win the bantamweight strap. He became a two-time champion three years later with his knockout win over former teammate Cody Garbrandt.

At UFC 280, Dillashaw will be fighting to salvage his legacy when he takes on Aljamain Sterling in the co-main event.

Aljamain Sterling vs. T.J. Dillashaw [Image via @needingart on Instagram]

Despite Dillashaw's credentials and his stellar performances inside the octagon, the American's standing in the MMA community is shaky to say the least. More often than not, PED and steroid users are rightfully labeled 'cheats', which hurts their reputation among their peers and fans.

Sterling has been quite vocal about Dillashaw's past in the lead-up to their championship bout and hasn't allowed the masses to forget the former champion's wrongdoing.

Knowing that he can't really defend himself against PED accusations, he has seemingly taken all the criticism coming his way in his stride, drawing praise from even UFC president Dana White. A win over Sterling this weekend will see Dillashaw re-claim the title he never really lost and he can finally put his past well and truly behind him.

#1. Who is the best lightweight in the world?

With the vacant lightweight championship up for grabs, two of the division's best finishers are set to lock horns in the main event of this weekend's pay-per-view.

Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev, riding 11 and 10-fight win streaks respectively, will contest the 155-pound title in one of the most highly anticipated bouts of the year. The competitive rivalry between the two fighters' camps has elevated the hype surrounding this matchup to another level altogether.

Charles Oliveira, the record-holder for most finishes and submissions in UFC history, has emerged as a fan-favorite in recent times. The Brazilian's all-action approach and kill-or-be-killed mentality has resonated with the masses. With a staggering 18 post-fight bonuses accrued over the course of his career thus far, any fight featuring 'do Bronx' is unmissable.

Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev has a ton of expectations and pressure on his shoulders heading into his maiden championship bout. A protégé and close friend of former lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev has been tasked with carrying forward the torch for his Dagestani brethren.

The clash of styles in this bout is what makes it so interesting. Oliveira is a lethal submission threat with knockout power, while Makhachev is a dominant wrestler with a rock-solid striking game. Both lightweights are in their prime as well, making this thrilling match even more intriguing.

The UFC lightweight division is widely regarded as the most competitive and deepest bracket in all combat sports. Getting to the top at 155 pounds is arguably the toughest road to gold across MMA and it remains to be seen which fighter will ultimately sit on the throne.