ISLAM MAKHACHEV followed in the footsteps of his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov by becoming UFC lightweight champion with a stunning finish of Charles Oliveira.
The Dagestani destroyer locked horns with former champ Oliveira – who lost the belt on the scale in May – in the main event of UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.
Makhachev had long been tipped to be a future lightweight champion – with those calls strengthening after Nurmagomedov’s retirement two years ago.
And he fulfilled what many believed was his destiny thanks to a brutal second-round submission victory over former champion Oliveira.
An elated Makhachev said: “First, I have to say I always ask God and he always gives me more than I ask. Alhamdulillah.”
He added: “I trained so hard for this moment. All my life, when I was a kid, I trained for that moment. I want to say thank you.”
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Oliveira started the contest with a jumping front kick but was well wide of the mark.
And Do Bronx soon found himself eating a big left hand, although he made a swift recovery.
Keen to feel the grappling prowess of Makhachev, submission specialist Oliveira brought the fight down to the ground.
He landed a nice elbow from the bottom before throwing up a triangle – which was seen off by Makhachev.
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Makhachev was happy to operate in the guard of the former champ as he looked to improve his position.
Oliveira managed to get back to his feet and press Makhachev against the cage.
Although he was soon back on the canvas courtesy of a huge hip toss.
Oliveira managed to put Makhachev back in his guard, although the Russian slowly but surely began to posture up before eating elbows before the end of the round.
Oliveira began the second by marching down AKA standout Makhachev, who narrowly missed with a big straight left.
Oliveira tried to ground the fight but managed to land an elbow as Makhachev stuffed the takedown attempt against the fence.
Both men landed knees in the clinch before they resumed striking in the centre of the octagon.
A good left-hand-right-hook combo landed for Makhachev shortly after. But it was a huge left hook moments later that sent Oliveira to the canvas.
Makhachev jumped on the opportunity to cinch a submission and looked for an arm triangle.
Oliveira tried his best to get out of the crushing choke but was forced to submit to the new king of the lightweight division.
Makhachev dedicated his title win to his late coach and mentor, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
As he gave the belt to Khabib, he said: “This belt is for my coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Many years ago, he told me you’re gonna be his champion.
“So I want to give this belt to [his son Khabib].”
Makhachev has set his sights on a title defence Down Under against featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski.
He said: “I didn’t see this short guy. Let’s bring him here.”
After entering the cage, a confident Volkanovski: “Let’s do it! The lightweight on the line, the pound-for-pound on the line. Let’s do it.”