Late last night UFC President Dana White announced the main event for UFC 294, which is scheduled to go down on October 21 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi we're back and we're bringing a STACKED card with us!!@DanaWhite just announced the first three fights for #UFC294 in October 🔥
[ Tickets on sales this week | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/9mgcbIwbB8
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2023
Headlining that card will be UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev defending his title against Charles Oliveira. The bout is a rematch from last year’s UFC 280, where Makhachev beat Oliveira to win the vacant lightweight title.
Despite the fact we’ve seen this fight before, Makhachev vs. Oliveira is still a dynamic and thrilling match-up. Makhachev may have bested Oliveira with relative ease in their first fight, but since then Oliveira scored a first round demolition of Beneil Dariush.
Had this been an immediate rematch, I may have felt like we needed to see someone else in this spot, but given that Oliveira looked tremendous versus Dariush (and that we are coming off Makhachev’s incredible fight with Alexander Volkanovski), this booking feels both fresh and warranted.
Though Makhachev seems to have the best shot at getting his hand raised again (at least according to Vegas), there are reasons to talk yourself into picking Do Bronx to reclaim gold at 155.
Prior to his historic winning streak that culminated in a championship win, Oliveira’s career was defined by inconsistency. He would look sensational on an undercard, tapping Nik Lintz and Myles Jury, but look terrible (or terribly prepared) whenever he had a shot against a Max Holloway or an Anthony Pettis. Then things seemed to click and he matured into one of the most terrifying match-ups in the sport, a fighter who was truly capable of knocking anyone out cold on the feet or choking anyone to sleep on the ground.
On Monday, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (26-2) underwent surgery on his left arm. The Australian will be able to return to training at 100% after a 6-week rehabilitation period.
“The Great” announced it during the UFC 290 post-fight press conference, following his victory by TKO in the 2nd round won against Yair Rodriguez. Indeed, Volkanovski needed this operation to treat a persistent injury.
” It’s not serious. I will be back as soon as possible,” he told reporters.
“It will be quick. I just need to settle something, but I will practice. I broke my hand last International Fight Week, and you’ll see me ready to fight in Abu Dhabi against Islam or Charles Oliveira. It’s not a broken bone. Everything will be alright. I will train myself. I want to be active.«
The 34-year-old fighter has made clear his intention to meet lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for a second time. The two men faced off in the main event of UFC 284 last February. The Dagestani then won by unanimous decision after a tight fight.
Makhachev is set to defend his title on October 24 to headline UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. Nevertheless, the future opponent of the Russian has not yet been officially announced.
