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UFC 294
UFC 294
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UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2
The poster for UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateOctober 21, 2023 (2023-10-21)
VenueEtihad Arena
CityAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
AttendanceNot announced[1]
Event chronology
UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis

UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on October 21, 2023, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.[2]

Background

[edit]

The event marked the promotion's 18th visit to Abu Dhabi and first since UFC 280 in October 2022.[2]

Makhachev (left) made his second title defense. In the rematch, Volkanovski (right) aspired to become the second man to be a simultaneous UFC featherweight and lightweight champion.

A UFC Lightweight Championship rematch between current champion Islam Makhachev and former champion Charles Oliveira was expected to headline the event.[3] The pair previously met at UFC 280 one year prior, where Makhachev captured the vacant title by second round submission.[4] However, Oliveira withdrew due to injury and was replaced by UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski.[5] This marked the first time that champions in different divisions rematch for the same title and the ninth time overall that champions in different divisions fought for the same title, following UFC 94, UFC 205, UFC 226, UFC 232, UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw, UFC 259, UFC 277 and UFC 284, the latter event in which Makhachev defeated Volkanovski by unanimous decision.[6] If successful, Volkanovski would have become the fifth person to be champion in two divisions simultaneously (after Conor McGregor at UFC 205, Daniel Cormier at UFC 226, Amanda Nunes at UFC 232 and UFC 277, and Henry Cejudo at UFC 238), as well as the eighth person overall to win a title in different divisions. Former KSW Featherweight and Lightweight Champion Mateusz Gamrot served as backup and potential replacement for this fight.[7]

A middleweight bout between Ikram Aliskerov and Nassourdine Imavov was expected to take place at the event.[8] However, Imavov withdrew due to visa issues and was replaced by The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 middleweight winner Warlley Alves.[9]

A middleweight bout between former UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev was expected to take place at the event.[10] However, Costa withdrew after he underwent surgery on his elbow and was replaced by former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman.[11]

At the weigh-ins, Victoria Dudakova weighed in at 116.6 pounds, 0.6 pounds over the strawweight non-title fight limit. Mike Breeden weighed in at 159.5 pounds, three and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. Both of their bouts proceeded at catchweight with Dudakova being fined 20% of her purse and Breeden 30%, which went to their opponents former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion Jinh Yu Frey and Road to UFC Season 1 lightweight tournament winner Anshul Jubli, respectively.[12]

Results

[edit]
Main card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Islam Makhachev (c) def. Alexander Volkanovski KO (head kick and punches) 1 3:06 [a]
Middleweight Khamzat Chimaev def. Kamaru Usman Decision (majority) (29–27, 29–27, 28–28) 3 5:00
Light Heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker No Contest (illegal knee) 1 3:13 [b]
Middleweight Ikram Aliskerov def. Warlley Alves TKO (flying knee and punches) 1 2:07
Bantamweight Said Nurmagomedov def. Muin Gafurov Submission (guillotine choke) 1 1:13
Preliminary card (ESPN+)
Flyweight Muhammad Mokaev def. Tim Elliott Submission (arm-triangle choke) 3 3:03
Lightweight Trevor Peek def. Mohammad Yahya Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Bantamweight Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry No Contest (accidental groin kick) 2 0:15 [c]
Middleweight Sedriques Dumas def. Abu Azaitar Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Catchweight (159.5 lb) Mike Breeden def. Anshul Jubli KO (punches) 3 3:00
Featherweight Muhammad Naimov def. Nathaniel Wood Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Catchweight (116.6 lb) Victoria Dudakova def. Jinh Yu Frey Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Middleweight Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Bruno Silva Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
  1. ^ For the UFC Lightweight Championship.
  2. ^ An accidental illegal knee rendered Walker unable to continue.
  3. ^ An accidental groin kick rendered Henry unable to continue.

[13]

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.[14]

  • Fight of the Night: No bonus awarded.
  • Performance of the Night: Islam Makhachev, Ikram Aliskerov, Said Nurmagomedov, and Muhammad Mokaev

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
UFC 294 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that took place on October 21, 2023, at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The event was headlined by a UFC Lightweight Championship rematch between defending champion Islam Makhachev and former UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski, with Makhachev securing a first-round knockout victory at 3:06 via a head kick and follow-up strikes, marking his second successful title defense and extending his winning streak to 13 fights. In the co-main event, unbeaten middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev faced former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman on short notice in a five-round middleweight bout, emerging victorious by majority decision (29-27, 28-28, 29-27) after a dominant grappling performance that neutralized Usman's striking. Other notable bouts on the main card included a clash between and Johnny Walker, which ended in a no contest at 3:13 of the first round due to an accidental eye poke that rendered Walker unable to continue, and a matchup where knocked out at 2:07 of the first round with a series of punches. The event also featured a bout ending in 's first-round arm-triangle submission win over Muin Gafurov at 1:13. On the preliminary card, highlights included Muhammad Mokaev's third-round rear-naked choke submission of in a flyweight fight, and Shara Magomedov's unanimous decision victory over Bruno Silva in the opener. UFC 294 drew significant attention as the promotion's second event in since in October 2022, showcasing a card heavy on Dagestani and Russian talent with multiple no-contest outcomes due to injuries, including another eye poke in the prelim between Javid Basharat and Victor Henry. The pay-per-view broadcast featured 13 bouts in total, with six decisions underscoring the event's competitive depth despite several early stoppages.

Background

Event Announcement

UFC officially announced UFC 294 on March 16, 2023, scheduling the event for October 21, 2023, at in , . This marked the promotion's 18th visit to the UAE capital, underscoring 's role as a key hub for UFC events in the since the inaugural Fight Night in 2014. On July 20, 2023, UFC President revealed the initial main event: a championship rematch between champion and former champion , echoing their clash at where Makhachev captured the title. The co-main event was set as an anticipated bout between and . Promotions for UFC 294 highlighted the international appeal of the card, particularly featuring Dagestani fighters like Makhachev, to draw global audiences and resonate with the Middle Eastern market. Marketing efforts included tie-ins with local sponsors, such as the ongoing partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – , which supported event activation and tourism promotion. Broadcast arrangements followed standard UFC protocol in the United States, with the main card airing on pay-per-view starting at 2 p.m. ET, preliminary card on and at 10 a.m. ET, and early prelims on at 6 a.m. ET; international viewers accessed variations through local broadcasters like BT Sport in the UK and in . The card later experienced last-minute opponent changes due to injuries.

Fight Card Changes

The fight card for UFC 294 underwent significant alterations in the weeks leading up to the event, primarily due to injuries and logistical issues affecting key bouts. On October 10, 2023, former UFC Lightweight Champion was forced to withdraw from the main event title defense against after sustaining a deep cut above his right eyebrow during a sparring session. UFC CEO announced the injury on social media, noting that Oliveira required stitches and medical clearance was not possible in time for the October 21 event in . In his place, UFC Champion agreed to step in on just 11 days' notice, rematching Makhachev after their competitive decision loss for Volkanovski at earlier in 2023. The co-main event also faced upheaval when Paulo Costa pulled out on October 11, 2023, following elbow surgery to address an infection that had developed three weeks prior. Costa, who had been preparing for a middleweight clash with Khamzat Chimaev, was replaced by former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman, who accepted the short-notice opportunity despite competing outside his natural weight class for the first time in the UFC. Usman's decision came after he had been considering retirement following recent welterweight losses, adding intrigue to the matchup against the undefeated Chimaev. Additional adjustments occurred on the main card. Middleweight contender withdrew from his bout against on October 8, 2023, due to visa complications preventing travel to ; this marked the second time visa issues had derailed one of Imavov's fights. , a former winner, stepped in as a replacement on short notice, shifting the dynamics of what was intended as a prospect showcase. No further major withdrawals were reported, though the rapid succession of changes tested the UFC's contingency planning for the international event. These modifications had notable effects on fighter preparation and market perceptions. , who had fought and won at just two months prior at , adapted his training camp to a second cut on abbreviated notice, relying on his prior preparation against Makhachev to mitigate the risks. Usman, similarly, shifted from training to bulking for , focusing on exchanges with Chimaev despite the weight class jump. Betting odds reflected the uncertainty: the original Makhachev vs. Oliveira line had Makhachev as a -350 favorite, which adjusted to -260 against , indicating bookmakers viewed the Australian as a stronger challenger. For the co-main, Chimaev opened at -360 against Costa but tightened slightly to -370 versus Usman, with Usman listed at +290 compared to Costa's +280, suggesting a perceived uptick in Chimaev's dominance potential. Overall, the revisions elevated the card's star power while highlighting the volatility of short-notice bookings in the UFC.
BoutOriginal MatchupReason for ChangeReplacementDate Announced
Main Event (Lightweight Title) vs. Injury (eyebrow cut in training)October 10, 2023
Co-Main Event (Middleweight) vs. Injury (elbow surgery due to infection)October 11, 2023
Main Card (Middleweight) vs. Visa issuesOctober 8, 2023

Event Preparation

Weigh-ins

The official weigh-ins for UFC 294 occurred on October 20, 2023, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the day before the event. Early weigh-ins took place at the UFC host hotel earlier that morning to confirm all fighters met their contracted weight classes, with the ceremonial proceedings featuring faceoffs later at the arena. Out of 26 fighters on the card, 24 successfully made weight, resulting in a high compliance rate of approximately 92 percent. The two exceptions were Victoria Dudakova, who weighed in at 116.6 pounds—1.6 pounds over the strawweight limit of 115 pounds—for her bout against Jinh Yu Frey, leading to a 20 percent fine on her purse; and Mike Breeden, who registered 159.5 pounds—3.5 pounds above the lightweight limit of 156 pounds—for his matchup with Anshul Jubli, incurring a 30 percent purse deduction. Both bouts proceeded at catchweight without cancellation, maintaining the full fight card as scheduled. The ceremonial weigh-ins generated significant media attention due to tense staredowns, particularly in the main event between lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (155 pounds) and Alexander Volkanovski (154.5 pounds), where the two exchanged words during their faceoff, underscoring their rivalry ahead of the rematch. Similarly, the co-main event pairing of Khamzat Chimaev (185.5 pounds) and short-notice replacement Kamaru Usman (184.5 pounds) featured a heated stare-down that highlighted the high stakes of Usman's abrupt entry into the middleweight bout. These moments were widely covered as building anticipation for the event's top attractions.

Pre-Fight Events

The pre-fight press conference for UFC 294 took place on October 19, 2023, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where fighters exchanged heated words to build anticipation for the event. Khamzat Chimaev directed sharp trash-talk at Kamaru Usman, dismissing his experience by stating, "You are not high level, nothing you can teach me," and vowing to "smash that guy" in their middleweight bout. Usman responded confidently, framing the fight as a teaching moment by saying he would impart lessons to the younger fighter. Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev exuded strong confidence against Alexander Volkanovski in their lightweight title rematch, declaring, "Zero chance [he can finish me]... No one. No lightweight, no welterweight. Only me can finish me," while suggesting Volkanovski accepted the short-notice opportunity primarily for financial gain. Media day on October 18, 2023, featured in-depth interviews that highlighted the fighters' personal motivations and tactical approaches. emphasized his readiness for the 11-day notice challenge, stating, "If there's no one that can make the adjustments... it's me," underscoring his drive to prove his greatness against Makhachev despite the limited preparation time. Usman discussed his game plan to counter Chimaev's renowned by leveraging his superior striking and cardio, noting in a pre-fight sit-down that he had assembled both head coaches— and —to refine defenses against takedowns while maintaining distance on the feet. These sessions, streamed live on UFC's platforms, allowed media and fans to gauge the international contenders' mindsets, from 's Australian resilience to Usman's Nigerian heritage-fueled determination. The UFC Embedded vlog series, spanning six episodes released leading up to the event, provided behind-the-scenes glimpses into the fighters' training camps, travels to , and daily routines, spotlighting the diverse global roster including representatives from , , and . Early episodes captured 's immediate reaction to the short-notice call-up and Chimaev's intense sessions with coach , while later ones documented Usman's arrival in the UAE and the group's acclimation to the desert environment. Promotional efforts included the official UFC 294 poster, unveiled on October 13, 2023, which prominently featured Makhachev and in a champ-vs-champ pose alongside Chimaev and Usman, and a trailer titled "Champ Versus Champ" that hyped the rematch and showdown through dramatic highlights of their prior encounters. Open workouts on October 18, 2023, drew significant fan attendance at the media day venue, where fighters demonstrated techniques and interacted with supporters. and Makhachev showcased light to the crowd's cheers, while Chimaev's powerful demos energized attendees. Usman also addressed rumors sparked by a workout clip suggesting an , firmly denying any issues and affirming his full preparation. These events amplified hype through direct fan engagement, emphasizing the event's star-studded, multicultural appeal.

Results

Main Card

The main card of UFC 294 featured five bouts broadcast on from in , . The opening fight was a bout between and Muin Gafurov. Nurmagomedov quickly took Gafurov down and transitioned to the back, securing a that forced the tap at 1:13 of the first round. In the matchup, faced . Aliskerov absorbed early leg kicks from Alves before countering with a right hand and a flying knee that dropped his opponent, following up with ground strikes to earn a TKO victory at 2:07 of the first round. The contest between and Johnny Walker was halted early. After Ankalaev landed a takedown and gained top position, he delivered an illegal knee to the head of the grounded Walker, leading to an immediate stoppage and a no contest ruling at 3:13 of the first round. Khamzat Chimaev took on former champion in the co-main event at . Chimaev dominated the first round with a takedown, back control, and ground-and-pound attempts, including a near rear-naked choke. Usman found success in the second with striking exchanges and a defended takedown, but Chimaev regained control late. The third round saw Usman press with jabs before Chimaev secured another takedown and top time. Chimaev won a with scores of 29-27, 29-27, and 28-28. The main event saw UFC champion defend his title against in a rematch. Makhachev pressured with clinch work and low kicks early in the first round before landing a devastating left head kick to Volkanovski's temple, dropping him and finishing with follow-up punches for a at 3:06.

Preliminary Card

The preliminary card for UFC 294 featured three bouts broadcast on , showcasing a mix of established contenders and rising talents in various weight classes. These fights provided compelling action leading into the main card, with quick finishes and hard-fought decisions highlighting the competitors' skills. In the bout, Sedriques Dumas defeated Abu Azaitar by (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds of striking exchanges and attempts. In the flyweight matchup, submitted with a rear-naked choke at 4:05 of the third round after a grappling-heavy battle where Mokaev reversed positions and capitalized on Elliott's fatigue. Closing the preliminary card, Viktoriia Dudakova defeated by unanimous decision (30-27 across all scorecards) in a strawweight bout. Dudakova's weight miss at the official weigh-ins led to the catchweight agreement, but she dominated with superior pressure and ground control, stifling Frey's output throughout three rounds. The lopsided scoring reflected Dudakova's control, though the weight issue drew post-fight scrutiny on her preparation.

Early Preliminary Card

The early preliminary card of UFC 294, streamed exclusively on , opened the event with three bouts that showcased a mix of finishes, decisions, and an unfortunate stoppage. In the bout at 157 pounds—stemming from Anshul Jubli's six-pound weight miss—debutant Jubli controlled the early action against Mike Breeden with sharp striking and ground control, dominating the first two rounds. Breeden, however, rallied dramatically in the third, overwhelming Jubli with a barrage of punches against the for a TKO victory at 3:00, marking a resilient comeback win in a chaotic fight. The featherweight matchup between Muhammad Naimov and Nathaniel Wood delivered a competitive striking battle, with both fighters exchanging volume throughout three rounds. Naimov pressured forward effectively, landing takedowns and outworking Wood in clinch exchanges, despite committing multiple fouls including eye pokes and low blows that drew warnings from the referee. Naimov secured a victory with scores of 29-28 on all three judges' cards, though Wood's cleaner power shots led to post-fight over the scoring and Naimov's infractions. The card concluded with a bantamweight clash between and Victor Henry, which was ruled a no contest at 0:15 of the second round after Basharat delivered an accidental low blow. Henry collapsed in severe pain from the strike to the and could not recover within the allotted time, prompting the stoppage; he was subsequently stretchered out and hospitalized for precautionary checks, while Basharat expressed frustration over the outcome.

Post-Event

Bonus Awards

At UFC 294, held on October 21, 2023, at in , , UFC president announced the post-fight bonus awards during the event's press conference, totaling $200,000 distributed across four Performance of the Night honors with no Fight of the Night awarded due to the absence of particularly competitive bouts reaching the judges' scorecards. The Performance of the Night bonuses, each valued at $50,000, recognized fighters for their standout finishes or dominant efforts. earned one for his first-round knockout via head kick against in the main event title bout. Ikram Aliskerov received the award for his first-round technical knockout using a flying knee and follow-up strikes against on the main card. was honored for his first-round submission of Muin Gafurov in their main card bout at 1:13. Muhammad Mokaev claimed the final Performance of the Night bonus for his third-round rear-naked choke submission victory over in their flyweight preliminary card bout.

Aftermath and Impact

Following his first-round loss to at UFC 294, was hospitalized for evaluation of a suspected and underwent precautionary scans, with his manager confirming he experienced symptoms consistent with the injury. The issued a standard 45-day medical suspension for the , which could be extended pending further medical clearance, though he later returned to light training after following protocols. Khamzat Chimaev's majority decision victory over extended his undefeated record to 13-0 and marked his first win at , positioning him as a serious title contender in the division. The bout sparked debates about Usman's performance, with the former champion attributing his slow start to the 11-day notice and move up from , suggesting he would have stopped Chimaev in a five-round fight while expressing respect for his opponent's grappling pressure. The event featured two no-contest rulings with significant ramifications. Magomed Ankalaev's fight against Johnny Walker ended in the first round after an illegal knee to the head of a grounded opponent, ruled accidental and resulting in a no contest; no suspension was announced for Ankalaev, but the controversial stoppage prompted UFC officials to schedule a rematch for UFC Fight Night on January 13, 2024. The rematch took place on January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234, where Ankalaev defeated Walker by knockout in the second round at 2:42. In the prelim, Victor Henry vs. was declared a no contest due to an accidental low blow that rendered Henry unable to continue; Basharat appealed the ruling, claiming he had been dominating and accusing Henry of quitting, which fueled discussions about a potential rematch. UFC 294 highlighted the growing dominance of Dagestani fighters in the promotion, with defending his title via knockout and contributing to the region's undefeated streak in UFC title fights at the time, alongside partial success from Ankalaev's no contest and wins by fighters like Muhammad Naimov on the undercard, underscoring Dagestan's reputation for producing elite grapplers and wrestlers. Post-event UFC rankings reflected the outcomes, with Makhachev solidifying his position as the unanimous No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter after his third title defense, while Chimaev debuted at No. 9 in the division following his win over the Usman; no official attendance or gate figures were released for the event at . Media coverage praised the short-notice heroism of fighters like and Usman for salvaging the card, but also criticized the matchmaking risks, including Volkanovski's quick turnaround from a prior fight and the potential health impacts of abrupt weight cuts and preparation, as evidenced by Usman's post-fight reflections on the physical toll. Following the event, Mokaev was released from the UFC in July 2024 after a win at UFC 304 due to backstage incidents, maintaining his undefeated record elsewhere and capturing the Brave CF flyweight championship in 2025.

References

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