UFC 294: Alexander Volkanovski replaces injured Charles Oliveira to set up Islam Makhachev rematch
- Seb Sternik
- 17 days ago
UFC boss Dana White confirmed Alexander Volkanovski will take on lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in a blockbuster rematch after stepping in for the injured Charles Oliveira.
The change in main event comes after Oliveira endured a cut on his right eyebrow in the fifth round of sparring on Monday night.
With the Brazilian unable to make the fight on Saturday, October 21, White had little choice but to draft in Volkanovski at the 11th hour.
The UFC supremo was irked by Oliveira’s team who didn’t contact the promotion before treating the wound.
White was also displeased about the information leak before the UFC had the opportunity to contact their partners in Abu Dhabi who are hosting the event.
Volkanovski will now be looing to avenge his narrow points defeat to Makhachev last February in Australia.
The 35-year-old Aussie returned to winning ways last July with a TKO victory over Yair Rodriguez.
Volkanovski was expected to defend his featherweight championship against Ilia Topuria at UFC 297, however those plans will now be set aside as he targets his second shot at becoming a two-weight UFC champion.
Poland’s Mateusz Gamrot, who took on Rafael Fiziev in September, is in place as a back-up ahead of the UFC 294 main event on October 21.
