UFC 280: Charles Oliveira v Islam Makhachev will top bill in Abu Dhabi

Pair will meet in blockbuster at Etihad Arena in October for vacant lightweight belt

Charles Oliveira celebrates after his submission victory over Justin Gaethje in their lightweight championship bout at UFC 274 at Footprint Center on May 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty

Charles Oliveira celebrates after his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. AFP

Charles Oliveira has his arm raised in victory after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Getty

Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje fight during their lightweight bout at UFC 274. Reuters

Charles Oliveira applies a hold for the submission victory against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Reuters

Charles Oliveira applies a hold against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Reuters

Charles Oliveira throws a punch at Justin Gaethje during their fight at UFC 274. Reuters

Rose Namajunas kicks Carla Esparza in their women’s strawweight championship bout at UFC 274. Getty

Rose Namajunas throws a right on Carla Esparza in their women’s strawweight championship bout at UFC 274. Getty

Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza fight in their women’s strawweight championship bout at UFC 274. Getty

Carla Esparza celebrates after her victory over Rose Namajunas at UFC 274. Getty

Carla Esparza reacts to her championship victory against Rose Namajunas at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler is declared the winner by knockout against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler celebrates his knockout victory against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler fights against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler kicks Tony Ferguson for the knockout at UFC 274. Reuters

A blockbuster lightweight title bout between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev will headline the UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi in October.

The clash for the vacant belt - Oliveira was stripped of the crown in May after missing weight ahead of his defence against Justin Gaethje – tops the bill at UFC 280 at Etihad Arena on October 22. The promotion announced the bout on Saturday night, during the UFC Fight Night in Elmont, New York.

The Oliveira-Makhachev match-up pits together the most recent lightweight champion and the division’s No 4-ranked contender. Oliveira, who won the title vacated by Khabib Nurmgomedov and went on to successfully defend it once before being stripped, rides an 11-fight win streak.

Makhachev, meanwhile, has won 10 on the bounce. The Dagestani has fought in Abu Dhabi twice before, winning against Davi Ramos at UFC 242 in September 2019 before defeating Dan Hooker by first-round submission at UFC 267 last October – the promotion’s most recent stop in the capital.

Oliveira, who sits at No 4 in the pound-for-pound rankings, will be eager to reclaim the belt after relinquishing the crown having missed championship weight by half a pound before UFC 274 two months ago. The Brazilian, whose professional record reads 33-8, went on to submit Gaethje in the first round.

Makhachev, now coached by close friend Nurmagomedov, last competed in February, when he defeated late stand-in Bobby Green by first-round TKO to lift his pro record to 22-1.