UFC is back in Abu Dhabi in a big way. The promotion returns to Yas Island this weekend for UFC 294 with a loaded fight card that underwent major construction just a week out from the event. Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will defend his crown against featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski in an unexpected rematch from their February meeting. Plus, rising middleweight star Khamzat Chimaev will battle former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the co-main event.
Volkanovski agreed to challenge Makhachev on short notice after Charles Oliveira was forced off the main event when he suffered a nasty gash above his eye in training camp. Usman jumped in for Paulo Costa when the Brazilian was forced to undergo surgery for a nasty staph infection in his elbow.
According to UFC officials, many calls when out in trying to replace Oliveira. The promotion reached out to former interim titleholders Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier as well as Matuesz Gamrot, who was slated to serve as a backup for the fight should anything happen at weigh-ins. Ultimately, it was Volkanovski, who told ESPN this week he was in touch with officials before anything even happened with Oliveira to be involved.
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It’s an exciting week in Abi Dhabi, where UFC president Dana White also announced that the promotion extended their deal with the country to continue to bring events through 2028.
Below is the complete fight card for UFC 294 along with the latest odds. Check back all week long for the latest news, features and other content around this massive event.
UFC 294 fight card, odds
- Islam Makhachev -260 vs. Alexander Volkanovski +210, lightweight title
- Khamzat Chimaev -370 vs. Kamaru Usman +290, middleweights
- Magomed Ankalaev -370 vs. Johnny Walker +290, light heavyweights
- Ikram Aliskerov -600 vs. Warlley Alves +430, middleweights
- Said Nurmagomedov -260 vs. Muin Gafurov +210, bantamweights
- Muhammad Mokaev -440 vs. Tim Elliot +340, flyweights
- Trevor Peek -180 vs. Mohammad Yahya +155, lightweights
- Javid Basharat -575 vs. Victor Henry +425, bantamweights
- Sedriques Dumas -250 vs. Abu Azaitar +205, middleweights
- Mike Breeden def. Anshul Jubli via third-round knockout (punch)
- Muhammad Naimov def. Nathaniel Wood via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Viktoriia Dudakova def. Jinh Yu Frey via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Shara Magomedov def. Bruno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
UFC 294 info
- Date: Oct. 21
- Location: Etihad Arena — Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
- Start time: 2 p.m. ET (Main card)
- How to watch: ESPN+ PPV
UFC 294 countdown
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