UFC 294: One of the best rematches in UFC history confirmed, Volkanovski to take on Makhachev
UFC 294: Dana White confirmed that Charles Oliviera is out of the event, and Islam Makhachev will now take on Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch at lightweight.
- SportFit
- 2 min read
Just out of nowhere, one of the biggest rematches in the history of UFC is going to take place on the 21st of October as Alexander Volkanovski is going to take on Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship in the main event of UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. Charles Oliviera was scheduled to take on Islam in a title fight but he suddenly withdrew from the card due to injury. Oliviera suffered a big cut on his eyebrow and was deemed not fit for the mega event. Someone's loss is someone's gain as UFC quickly rang up Alexander to replace and he quickly accepted.
And that's it, the much-anticipated Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev is now official and will place at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Volkanovski vs Makhachev at UFC 294
UFC President Dana White in a press conference after the Contender Series confirmed the development.
“Yes all of that is true. He (Charles)...round five of sparring last night before you know he was supposed to jump on the plane today splits his eyebrow wide open and stitched up last night. Obviously can’t fight out there with the that he never called us but we do not want to risk it “
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“The disappointment for Oliveira, meanwhile, is understandably high. “Do Bronx” was adamant that he was too caught up in the intensity of the first fight with Makhachev, particularly after Oliveira was forced to vacate the title when he missed weight before knocking out Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 in Arizona, and thus underperformed. While one can assume the winner in Abu Dhabi will face Oliveira next, it does get a bit more complicated should Volkanovski win a second belt. That opens the door to a trilogy, a Volkanovski-Oliveira fight or even a situation involving Justin Gaethje, whom many believed earned a title shot with his epic knockout win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 for the BMF title,” UFC said on it's official website.
In their first fight, Makhachev won a close contest by unanimous decision but it was Volkanovski who was pounding away on the champion when the fight finished after 5 rounds. Volkanovski has since defended his UFC featherweight championship against Yair Rodriguez while Islam hasn't fought since.