UFC 280 press conference LIVE: Latest updates as Charles Oliveira and Sean O’Malley speak in London
The first press conference for UFC 280 takes place today, as Charles Oliveira and Sean O’Malley travel to London to preview October’s seismic Abu Dhabi fight card.
In the main event of UFC 280 in three months’ time, Oliveira will fight Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight title, while O’Malley faces his biggest bantamweight test yet as he goes up against former champion Petr Yan. Elsewhere on the card, Belal Muhammad clashes with Sean Brady at welterweight, and Muhammad will join Oliveira and Makhachev at the O2 Arena today, moments before the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC London – which takes place on Saturday.
Oliveira was stripped of the UFC lightweight title in May for missing weight, one day before his scheduled defence against Justin Gaethje. The Brazilian submitted Gaethje in the first round but was ineligible to win back the belt, instead establishing himself as No 1 contender. Meanwhile, O’Malley is one of the UFC’s most popular young fighters, and his incrementally tougher in-ring assignments have suddenly given way to a huge fight with ex-champ Yan. Oliveira vs Makhachev, O’Malley vs Yan, and Muhammad vs Brady were all announced this week, and three of those fighters will preview their upcoming bouts this afternoon. Follow live updates from the UFC 280 press conference, below.
UFC 280 press conference LIVE
UFC 280 press conference takes place at O2 Arena in London
Press conference plays out before UFC London weigh-ins
UFC 280 scheduled for Abu Dhabi in October
Oliveira faces Islam Makhachev; O’Malley fights Petr Yan
Oliveira and O’Malley are joined by Belal Muhammad, who faces Sean Brady
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
12:18 , Alex Pattle
Paddy Pimblett always attracts attention when he has a microphone in his hand. Here’s what he had to say about opponent Jordan Leavitt on Wednesday:
“He’s been talking all sorts of s***, lad. He’s an absolute crab, he’s an absolute idiot. He can’t throw a punch to save his life. He’s trying to outweird me, but no one’s weirder than me.
“My nan’s dead, and she’d finish him. I’m gonna come out and take his head off, I’m coming to take his chin home with me. I’m not gonna shoot no takedowns.
“He doesn’t come into fights to win, he tries not to lose. This might be the first time someone actually s***s themselves in the Octagon.”
More from “Paddy The Baddy” here:
Paddy Pimblett ramps up trash talk with ‘absolute idiot’ Jordan Leavitt
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
11:27 , Alex Pattle
The UFC London main event is official – a heavyweight showdown between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.
Read our latest interview with Aspinall here:
Tom Aspinall: ‘I saw this all in my mind before anyone else had seen it’
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
10:35 , Alex Pattle
So, with every fighter having successfully weighed in at the official weigh-ins just now, all that is left is for them to face off at the ceremonial weigh-ins this afternoon. We’ll have live coverage of the ceremonial weigh-ins from 5pm BST.
But that’s not all...
At 3pm BST, the first UFC 280 press conference will take place at the O2 Arena. Charles Oliveira will face Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi this October, and the Brazilian will be present at this afternoon’s press conference.
Also present will be Belal Muhammad, who faces Sean Brady at UFC 280, and fast-rising Sean O’Malley. Bantamweight O’Malley was just announced as having a fight against former champion Petr Yan at UFC 280, to the surprise of every fan.
We’ll be providing live updates from that press conference, right here.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
10:25 , Alex Pattle
Main card
Curtis Blaydes (260lbs) vs Tom Aspinall (251lbs) – heavyweight
Jack Hermansson (186) vs Chris Curtis (186)– middleweight
Paddy Pimblett (156) vs Jordan Leavitt (155) – lightweight
Nikita Krylov (204) vs Alexander Gustafsson (205) – light heavyweight
Molly McCann (125.5) vs Hannah Goldy (125) – women’s flyweight
Paul Craig (206) vs Volkan Oezdemir (205.5) – light heavyweight
Prelims
L’udovit Klein (155) vs Mason Jones (155.5) – lightweight
Marc Diakiese (156) vs Damir Hadzovic (156) – lightweight
Nathaniel Wood (145.5) vs Charles Rosa (145) – featherweight
Makwan Amirkhani (145.5) vs Jonathan Pearce (145) – featherweight
Muhammad Mokaev (126) vs Charles Johnson (125.5) – flyweight
Jai Herbert (155) vs Kyle Nelson (155) – lightweight
Mandy Bohm (125.5) vs Victoria Leonardo (125) – women’s flyweight
Claudio Silva (170.5) vs Nicolas Dalby (170) – welterweight
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
10:18 , Alex Pattle
British lightweight Marc Diakiese takes to the stage...
He looks in great shape... and makes weight! 156lbs!
Every fighter on the card has successfully weighed in.
We’ll post all the weights together in a moment.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
10:14 , Alex Pattle
While we wait for our final fighter, here’s some light reading...
As Tom Aspinall prepares for his toughest test yet, a clash with Curtis Blaydes this weekend, The Independent spoke to the Briton’s coach Colin Heron about how Saturday’s main event will be decided.
Exclusive interview here, including some great details, such as how Aspinall has been out-wrestling members of the GB wrestling squad...
Tom Aspinall’s coach Colin Heron breaks down Curtis Blaydes challenge at UFC London
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
10:03 , Alex Pattle
We’re just waiting on Britain’s Marc Diakiese now. We’re told he’ll take to the stage in about 15 minutes.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
10:02 , Alex Pattle
Here comes Curtis Blaydes ahead of his main event vs Tom Aspinall...
260lbs for the American! He’s 9lbs heavier than Aspinall...
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:55 , Alex Pattle
Paddy Pimblett bears backside and slams ‘fat-shamers’ at UFC London weigh-ins
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:50 , Alex Pattle
We’re still waiting on Curtis Blaydes and Marc Diakiese.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:30 , Alex Pattle
Here comes Charles Rosa, who fights London’s own Nathaniel Wood at featherweight tomorrow.
145lbs for Rosa! Championship weight.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:27 , Alex Pattle
Just a few fighters left: Marc Diakiese, Charles Rosa, and main-eventer Curtis Blaydes.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:26 , Alex Pattle
British lightweight Jai Herbert hits the scales now...
Championship weight of 155lbs for him! He faces Kyle Nelson tomorrow.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:24 , Alex Pattle
Muhammad Mokaev needs the curtain, but he makes weight for his flyweight bout against Charles Johnson! 126lbs for the Briton.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:24 , Alex Pattle
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:20 , Alex Pattle
Now we have Jack Hermansson, who makes weight at 186lbs! He’s in a middleweight co-main event against Chris Curtis tomorrow. Both men have now made weight.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:19 , Alex Pattle
Heavyweight headliner Tom Aspinall makes weight at 251lbs! Can the Wigan fighter overcome Curtis Blaydes tomorrow?
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:18 , Alex Pattle
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:18 , Alex Pattle
Nikita Krylov comes in at 204lbs for his light heavyweight clash with Alexander Gustafsson! The first fighter to come in under weight – all good, though.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:17 , Alex Pattle
Former light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir shouts in celebration after making weight at 205.5lbs!
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:14 , Alex Pattle
Now Welsh lightweight Mason Jones tips the scales... at 155.5lbs! He’s on weight for his in-ring meeting with L’udovit Klein.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:14 , Alex Pattle
Damir Hadzovic is on weight at 156lbs for his lightweight clash with Marc Diakiese.
So is flyweight Charles Johnson at 125.5lbs. He faces British prospect Muhammad Mokaev tomorrow.
Jonathan Pearce is 145lbs, making weight for his featherweight bout against Makwan Amirkhani.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:11 , Alex Pattle
Nicolas Dalby hits the scales now... and the welterweight makes weight at 171lbs.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:10 , Alex Pattle
Now we have Jordan Leavitt, who fights Paddy Pimblett tomorrow... 155lbs for the American lightweight!
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:10 , Alex Pattle
Now it’s Scotland’s Paul Craig, who takes on Volkan Oezdemir at light heavyweight.
Craig is on weight at 126lbs, and he gives an intense stare out after making weight.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:09 , Alex Pattle
McCann’s flyweight opponent Hannah Goldy makes championship weight – 125lbs! A big smile from her.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:08 , Alex Pattle
Next up is Mandy Bohm ahead of her flyweight bout against Victoria Leonardo... 125lbs for Bohm! She’s on weight.
Now here comes Leonardo... 125.5lbs, she also makes weight!
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:06 , Alex Pattle
Now we have L’udovit Klein, who faces late replacement Mason Jones at lightweight tomorrow.
155lbs for Klein! Championship weight.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:06 , Alex Pattle
Welterweight Claudio Silva, who will open the show agianst Nicolas Dalby, is on weight at 170.5lbs.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:05 , Alex Pattle
Championship weight for Alexander Gustafsson as the former light heavyweight challenger returns to the division – he’s 205lbs as of right now! He fights Nikita Krylov tomorrow.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:04 , Alex Pattle
Next up is fan favourite Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett of Liverpool... The lightweight successfully makes weight at 156lbs!
“For everyone who tried to fat-shame me, saying I wouldn’t make weight or I’d pull out... you can kiss my a**!” he says, before showing his backside to the cameras and giving it a slap...
Molly McCann, his dear friend, comes in at 125.5lbs for her flyweight clash with Hannah Goldy. On weight.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:03 , Alex Pattle
Kyle Nelson makes championshipweight at 155lbs! The Canadian lightweight is due to fight Britain’s Jai Herbert tomorrow night.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:02 , Alex Pattle
Now we have Swedish featherweight Makwan Amirkhani... who makes weight at 145.5lbs! He’s set to face Jonathan Pearce tomorrow.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
09:01 , Alex Pattle
The two-hour weigh-in window has begun.
First up is Briton’s Nathaniel Wood, who is moving from bantamweight up to featherweight... and he hits the scales at 145.5lbs! On weight!
Next up is Chris Curtis ahead of his co-main event against Jack Hermansson. The American middleweight comes in at 186lbs! On weight.
UFC London weigh-ins LIVE
08:59 , Alex Pattle
Fighters will hit the scales today as they attempt to make weight ahead of Saturday’s UFC London card, which takes place just four months after the MMA promotion’s last visit to the English capital.
Paddy Pimblett, the Liverpudlian fan favourite who is known to balloon in weight between fights, will be among the names tipping the scales, as will headliner Tom Aspinall, who is preparing for a heavyweight clash with Curtis Blaydes. While “Paddy The Baddy” and lightweight opponent Jordan Leavitt traded barbs at Wednesday’s media day, Wigan fighter Aspinall and American Blaydes have been cordial to one another thus far. Elsewhere, Pimblett’s fellow Scouser Molly McCann will be in action on Saturday, while former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson adds some extra prestige to the card at the O2 Arena.
Meanwhile, the co-main event sees Jack Hermansson go head to head with American Chris Curtis, who steps in for injured Liverpudlian Darren Till to take on the Swedish-born Norwegian. After fighters have partaken in the official weigh-ins in Canary Wharf this morning, they will take part in the ceremonial weigh-ins later in the day, when fans gather to cheer them on at the O2.
