UFC free fight: Islam Makhachev captures vacant belt with dominant submission of Charles Oliveira

Islam Makhachev made it look easy against Charles Oliveira.

At UFC 280 in October 2022 in Abu Dhabi, Makhachev faced Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title. In what was meant to be Makhachev’s toughest test to date, it was perhaps his best-career performance.

Makhachev hung with Oliveira on the feet, took him down, and even dropped him in Round 2, which led to the fight-ending sequence – an arm-triangle choke submission finish.

You can watch the video of the full fight above.

Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) and Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) will run things back in the UFC 294 headliner Oct. 21 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Makhachev made his first successful title defense in February when he outlasted featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284. Oliveira was able to rebound from his title loss to Makhachev with a first-round TKO of streaking contender Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 in June.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.