Virtually every combat sports fan has been demanding a rematch between Australiaโs reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev since the latterโs โcontroversialโ unanimous decision victory at UFC 284.
The divisive outcome of the Perth cardโs headlining bout had everyone from fellow professional fighters to seasoned MMA pundit Joe Rogan scratching their heads, with the debate touching on issues surrounding:
- the merits of control time (which Makhachev recorded more of)โฆ
- โฆ versus the merits of damage (which Volkanovski definitely inflicted more) on the judgesโ scorecards
RELATED: Alexander Volkanovski Reclaims UFCโs Pound-For-Pound Throne
Next week, our wish will be granted when the Aussie GOAT steps in to replace an injured Charles Oliveira at UFC 294 (Abu Dhabi). And on 11 days notice, no less. There, the Windang native will have another chance to capture the lightweight belt in a bid to become one of few two-division UFC champions.
So how does The Great plan on dismantling his formidable Dagestani rival โ and de facto successor to Khabib Nurmagomedov โ in their hotly anticipated second encounter?
โWhat is it? Sprawl and brawl. So itโs pretty obvious itโs gonna be that,โ Alexander Volkanovski exclusively told BH during Sydneyโs Foxtel x UFC announcement event back in July.
โLook, you might even see more wrestling. I think I can take him out there as well. That just shows you how well-rounded I am. I believe Iโve got a lot more tools and ways of winning this time. Especially with the confidence.โ
โI know he canโt break me, and I know he canโt hold me down. And I know I donโt need to worry about that. So now he needs to worry about these [raises both fists.].โ
At the time, Volkanovski had just recorded yet another dominant title defence at UFC 290 (International Fight Week). On this occasion, the victim had been interim featherweight champ Yair Rodriquez โ who, incidentally, claimed the honour at Perthโs UFC 284.
President & CEO Dana White essentially gave Volk carte blanche for his next fight immediately after (โWhatever he wants to do, we go with it.โ).
Volkanovski continued: โI do want that Islam fight, but I donโt want to wait for it. If theyโre like, โYeah you can do it but youโre gonna have to wait till this time.โ Iโm like, โWell give me something else.โ Which Iโm sure [the UFC] appreciate and love.โ
RELATED: โAnytime, Anywhere, Any Weightโ: Alexander Volkanovski Challenges Conor McGregor
โFor [Dana White] to say that, he doesnโt really say that to many people, so that is a comment that I really appreciate. It shows that my hard work is being appreciated. So itโs a good position to be in but for me, I just want to be active.โ
Now, itโs actually going down: a rematch against Islam Makhachev as promised and, considering Alexander Volkanovski not only fought but underwent elbow surgery months ago, major activity. Albeit far sooner than anybody (Volk included) had expected.
Since yesterdayโs bombshell announcement that UFC 294 would be headlined by Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski II, the co-main event has also been changed.
In place of Paulo Costa, who hasnโt been medically cleared in time after his own elbow surgery, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is moving up to the middleweight division where heโll face the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.
How bloody good.
UFC 294 Main Card (Abu Dhabi)
- Islam Makhachev [C] vs Alexander Volkanovski โ Lightweight Championship Bout
- Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev โ Middleweight Bout
- Magomed Ankalaev vs Johhny Walker โ Light Heavyweight Bout
- Nassourdine Imavov vs Ikram Aliskerov โ Middleweight Bout
- Said Nurmagomedov vs Muin Gafurov โ Bantamweight Bout
UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski II is scheduled to go down on October 22nd, 2023 at Abu Dhabiโs Etihad Arena (United Arab Emirates). The main event kicks off at โ brace yourselves โ 5 AM [AEST].
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