UFC 281 Countdown: Previewing a huge night in New York
The octagon returns to the Big Apple as the iconic Madison Square Garden plays host to UFC 281, with two title fights at the top of a packed fight card in New York City.
The octagon returns to the Big Apple as the iconic Madison Square Garden plays host to UFC 281, with two title fights at the top of a packed fight card in New York City.
Islam Makhachev captured the undisputed UFC lightweight title with a second-round submission of former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi.
Sean O’Malley, champ Aljamain Sterling and Charles Oliveira wrap up their weight cuts. They hit the scales, then face off one final time against their UFC 280 opponents at ceremonial weigh-ins.
UFC 280 stars Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev, Aljamain Sterling, TJ Dillashaw, Petr Yan and Sean O’Malley play to fans at open workouts. Caio Borralho embraces the big event. Fighters trade barbs, then face off at the press conference.
The UFC's pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi will go ahead with a full slate of main card matchups after the official early-morning weigh-ins on Friday.
Champ Aljamain Sterling, Charles Oliveira, TJ Dillashaw, Petr Yan, and Islam Makhachev get in the zone. Champ Alexander Volkanovski trains for any opponent. Sean O’Malley makes an entrance at media day, and Oliveira rolls deep
Beneil Dariush sees a path to UFC gold. Katlyn Chookagian and Sean Brady arrive. Charles Oliveira trains to win; Islam Makhachev greets his Hall of Famer coach Khabib Nurmagomedov. Sean O’Malley, Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling dive into fight week.
Islam Makhachev gets a visit from Hasbulla Magomedov. Charles Oliveira celebrates his birthday. Champ Aljamain Sterling pushes himself. Sean O’Malley steps outside his comfort zone. The headliners cross paths in the hotel lobby.
The main event of UFC 280 pits a champion who never lost his title in the cage against a fighter who believes the time has come to take the throne once occupied by his mentor.
Charles Oliveira likes his odds against Islam Makhachev, who plans to start a championship legacy. Aljamain Sterling trains with fellow champ Leon Edwards. Sean O’Malley sticks to basics. Petr Yan plans his path back to the title.