UFC stars and experts predicts Oliveira vs. Makhachev: ”Legendary showdown”

On October 22, we will se one of the most anticipated fights of the year, when former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will clash with Islam Makhachev in the main event at UFC 280.

Click ”Next” to check out how MMA pros and experts predict the exciting fight!

Conor McGregor

Pick: Oliveira

During a recent Q&A on Twitter, ”The Notorious” gave his prediction for the UFC 280 main event.

”Olly and easily,” McGregor wrote.

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Pick: Makhachev

Former lightweight king Nurmagomedov believes in his protege. In fact, he doesn’t even think that ”do Bronx” will show up.

”I just think Charles Oliveira will not show up in Abu Dhabi and the UFC will replace Charles with Beneil Dariush. Regardless of who the opponent will be, Makhachev is on his way to becoming the best in the world,” Khabib wrote in a Tweet.

Alexander Volkanovski

Pick: Makhachev

Backup fighter Alexander Volkanovski has studied the two lightweights closely.

”Obviously, I’ve been studying these guys so I sort of know how this will go and how I’ll approach it, but how is Charles gonna approach it? How is Islam gonna approach Charles? We don’t know, but I think if I had to lean towards someone it would have to be Islam,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel.

Paddy Pimblett

Pick: Oliveira

UFC lightweight star Paddy ”The Baddy” Pimblett is sure that the Brazilian will win come October 22.

“It’s not vacant is it. Charles Oliveira is the champ. Technically it’s vacant, but really, he missed weight by half-a-pound, Oliveira’s the champ,” Pimblett said. ”I proper rate Charles, lad, he’s one of the best in the world at the minute. He’s quality. He’s the best at 155. I think he’s gonna beat Makhachev, quite convincingly.”

Robert Whittaker

Pick: Makhachev

Former middleweight king Robert Whittaker believes that the fight will be very even.

”If I had to make a bet I would put it on Makhachev, Whittaker told James Lynch. ”It’s defenitly not a sure thing.”

Henry Cejudo

Pick: Makhachev

Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo made his pick.

”I’m gonna have to go with Islam but you shouldn’t count Charles out,” Cejudo said.

Cyril Gane

Pick: Oliveira

No. 1 ranked UFC heavyweight contender Cyril Gane thinks the former champ will be champ once again.

”Oliveria is really confident and proved that he can finish these kind of guys,” Gane said.

Rafael Fiziev

Pick: Makhachev

Top ranked lightweight Rafael Fiziev thinks Makhachev will be the new champion, but that it will be an even fight.

“I think 60 percent, 60-40 percent this Islam win. I think. This is my opinion. I think he have more ground game. He’s like, more stronger. I think it’s more his game, like Khabib style. He wrestles with Khabib every day, brother,” Fiziev said.

Beneil Dariush

Pick: Both

Top ranked lightweight Beneil Dariush, who’s previously been scheduled to fight both Makhachev and ”do Bronx”, can’t predict who will win the title bout.

”It’s really a fifty-fifty at this point. First I was leaning on Islam, but I don’t even know about that anymore,” Dariush told the Schmo.

Sean Brady

Pick: Oliveira

Undefeated welterweight Sean Brady is confident that ”do Bronx” defeats Makhachev.

”Charles Oliveira. I think he gets it done, I just think he has more tools,” Brady said.

Anthony Smith

Pick: Oliveira

Light heavyweight veteran Anthony Smith won’t bet against the Brazilian again.

”I’m going Oliveira has caught up significantly to his grappling, ”Smith said. ”I’m going with the champ.”

Curtis Blaydes

Pick: Oliveira

The top ranked heavyweight gives credit to Makhacev but thinks the Brazilian will get his hands raised at UFC 280.

”It will be the toughest title defense yet,” Blaydes said.

Mark O. Madsen

Pick: Makhachev

Undefeated Danish UFC lightweight Mark O. Madsen gave his take on the exciting title fight.

”I see Islam Makhachev as the new UFC champ. One hundred percent,” Madsen told LowKickMMA. ”I see him as the new UFC champion. And I think he’s gonna hold that belt for a while, to be honest.”

Daniel Rodriguez

Pick: Makhachev

No. 14 ranked welterweight Daniel Rodriguez considers Oliveria to be better all around, but believes a hungry Makhachev will get it done at UFC 280.

”He’s a complete savage, he’s a beast you know,” Rodriguez said.

Manon Fiorot

Pick: Oliveira

No. 7 ranked flyweight Manon Fiorot, who’s undefeated in the UFC, thinks that Oliveria will get his hand raised come October 22.

”I think Charles has a little advantage,” Fiorot said via translator.

Erin Blanchfield

Pick: Oliveira

No. 12 ranked flyweight Erin Blanchfield is a die-hard fan of the Brazilian lightweight.

”I love Charles Oliveira, I think he is so good,” Blanchfield said. ”I think he will outstrike him and outgrapple him.”

Nate Landwehr

Pick: Oliveira

Featherweight warrior Nate Landwehr is confident in ”do Bronx”.

”I’m going with Charles right there, I’m actually a fan of Charles, he’s the champ,” Landwehr said.

Gillian Robertson

Pick: Oliveira

Flyweight Gillian Robertson believes in her favourite fighter.

”I think it will be Charles Oliveira’s toughest matchup ever,” Robertson said.

Misha Cirkunov

Pick: Makhachev

UFC veteran Misha Cirkunov thinks Makhachev’s athleticism and top game will be a huge factor in the fight.

”Over time, I think, he will be able to grind out a decision,” Cirkunov said.

Jamahal Hill

Pick: Oliveira

Light heavyweight Jamahal Hill is sure that the Brazilian will win the belt.

”I don’t bet against Charles anymore,” Hill said.

Sam Alvey

Pick: Oliveira

Former UFC middleweight Sam Alvey thinks the ”do Bronx” will win in Abu Dhabi.

”I’m done betting against Oliveira,” Alvey said. ”Islam hasn’t fought anybody.”

Brandon Gibson

Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’s coach, Brandon Gibson, thinks it will be a striking match and a great lightweight showdown.

”I would give the style advantage to Charles early on,” Gibson said.” I got to go with the champ right now and give him a slight edge.”

Josh Thomson

Pick: Makhachev

Podcaster, commentator, and analyst Josh Thomson thinks Makhachev will submit the Brazilian at UFC 280.

”I think that Islam is gonna get the takedown, he’s gonna dominate the top position. He’s gonna work slowly and methodically with heavy pressure on the top, and he’s gonna end up getting either the kimura, some sort of D’arce, some sort of choke, he’s gonna end up on top. The strength of Islam is gonna be the big factor in this and the control on the top position, that’s the way I look at it,” Thomson said on ‘Weighing in Xtra’.

Read more: UFC stars and experts predicts Khamzat vs. Diaz: “Going to be uncomfortable to watch!”

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