UFC 280: Oliveira vs. Makhachev – preview and betting tips

Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev. The main event of the UFC 280 tournament, which will otherwise be really packed. Surprisingly, the latter is the favourite for the title fight, however, bettors are more likely to believe the Brazilian sympathiser. What to expect from the fight and what to bet on?

On Saturday, we will see quite possibly the best tournament of the year. The icing on a very tasty cake will be the lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev. A significant part of the MMA community favors the Brazilian, but the bookmakers have it the other way around.

Why? Basically, you could say the Brazilian is more experienced. He’s beaten all the top lightweights. And he’s done it in a dominant way. His story is absolutely extraordinary. Through patience and a big heart, he’s already claimed the title once, losing it due to a controversial weight cut. Now he wants to take it back.

Makhachev hasn’t fought anyone from the top of the lightweight division. It’s safe to say he’s never faced an opponent of the quality of Oliveira. And it’s a question of how both fighters will suit the style of their opponent.

Oliveira can throw and take punches. His jiu-jitsu is famous. After all, he was feared by many and no one wanted to go to the ground with him. But with Makhachev, it seems to be the other way around. He is a very skilled wrestler and will want to put pressure on the Brazilian.

Oliveira should be the favorite. He definitely has more weapons to finish his opponent. Makhachev won’t be able to surprise Oliveira, but he will still be dangerous. It will be interesting to see how the Brazilian does when the Russian gets him under control.

There’s a good chance we won’t make it to the fifth round. That’s why, in addition to betting on Oliveira to win, it may be worth betting on the number of rounds started. We won’t see any championship rounds. But the odds are not very attractive anymore (odds of 1,44 on the fight not reaching the fourth round).

It is more worthwhile to bet on the match to end on submission. The odds of 1,85 are definitely not to be thrown away.