UFC 294 start time, Abu Dhabi full fight details | Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2

“Struggle Island” is again!

Final Combating Championship (UFC) returns to the pay-per-view (PPV) market this Saturday (Oct. 21, 2023), as UFC 294 goes down from inside Etihad Enviornment in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Headlining the revamped PPV primary card will probably be Light-weight champion, Islam Makhachev, locking horns with Featherweight roost-ruler, Alexander Volkanovski, for a second time (this yr). In UFC 294’s co-main occasion, former Welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, strikes as much as Middleweight to problem Khamzat Chimaev after Paulo Costa sabotaged himself as soon as extra.

It’s going to be nice.

What’s Scorching:

It’s not typically {that a} PPV occasion undergoes a last-minute facelift and finally ends up higher than beforehand marketed. However, that appears to be the case with UFC 294 after it misplaced not solely its authentic primary occasion, however the co-headliner, too, all within the span of 24 hours. Charles Oliveira was set to rematch Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound title in the principle occasion earlier than he bowed out on account of a lower suffered above his left eye throughout sparring. Stepping in to fill the void is 145-pound champion, Alexander Volkanovski, who took the struggle on quick discover in an try to get revenge on the 155-pound champion who defeated him at UFC 284 earlier this yr. Volkanovski has been calling for a rematch ever because the powerful loss, which some felt ought to have gone his method, however getting it on one week’s discover is lower than splendid. Overlook game-planning, that’s not the difficulty right here. Makhachev was in a full camp, “The Nice” was not. It’s that straightforward. That stated, Makhachev has already warned Volkanovski to not use that as an excuse ought to he come up quick a second time. In the meantime, if Volkanovski can actual revenge, it doubtless units up a trilogy struggle, which isn’t excellent news for Light-weight contenders (or Featherweights for that matter) ready in line for his or her photographs at gold. Moreover, if he dethrones Makhachev — whom many see because the second coming of Khabib Nurmagomedov — on 12 days discover to grow to be champ-champ could be an a feat like no different in his profession, much more spectacular than his three wins over Max Holloway. For Makhachev, one other win over Volkanovski enhances his repute and resume, permitting him to place the dominant 145-pound champion behind him … for good. The primary struggle was an epic warfare, and struggle followers ought to count on a lot of the identical this time round.

As for the co-main occasion, which was speculated to function Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa, it was scratched after “Borrachina” withdrew on account of an an infection on his elbow that required a number of surgical procedures.

Stepping in to take his place is former 170-pound champion, Kamaru Usman, who did the promotion a stable by going through a person nobody is in a rush to get locked within the cage with, a lot much less on tremendous quick discover. What Volkanovski and Usman are doing is the final word definition of what being a “BMF” is all about (no disrespect to Justin Gaethje, in fact). Chimaev has solely competed six occasions since making his UFC debut in 2020, which isn’t precisely how most individuals anticipated his profession to go after exploding onto the scene. A lot of his inactivity is attributed to looking for opponents to signal on the dotted line at each Welterweight and Middleweight, but it surely appears the undefeated contender (12-0, 6-0 UFC) is only one win away from a shot at his first-ever UFC world title. And he’ll attempt to try this towards a person he’s had his eye on from the soar within the former Welterweight deity. “The Nigerian Nightmare” confirmed how dependable he may be by taking the short-notice struggle in an even bigger weight class towards the Boogeyman himself. Usman hasn’t competed since dropping to Leon Edwards a second straight time at UFC 286. Whereas daring and commendable, the transfer may not work out the best way Usman envisions it. Whereas he’ll receives a commission handsomely and rating brownie factors from UFC, it’s a tall job to say the least to face and defeat “Borz” on quick discover. Simply ask Kevin Holland. Nonetheless, “The Nigerian Nightmare” has a golden alternative to get again into the championship title struggle with an upset win.

What’s Not:

There’s nothing we are able to do concerning the begin time, however having a giant PPV card begin so early stateside simply doesn’t really feel proper. It by no means has. It takes the massive struggle evening feeling away that we’ve grown so accustomed to through the years. However, if that’s the most important factor we’re going to complain about with this occasion, I’ll take it any day of the week over a weak card.

Authentic Card Vs. Precise Card:

Except for the 2 aforementioned adjustments to the main- and co-main occasions, Nassourdine Imavov was pressured out of his scheduled struggle towards Ikram Aliskerov on account of visa points. He was changed by Warlley Alves, who’s on a two-fight dropping streak and has misplaced three of his final 4 fights. As for Aliskerov, he’s coming off a powerful UFC debut, knocking out Phil Hawes within the first spherical at UFC 288.

Accidents:

Throughout open exercises, Kamaru Usman gave everybody a scare after he stated he hears one thing “pop” whereas tussling with Justin Gaethje. Nothing has been reported of an precise harm right now, but it surely’s nonetheless a narrative value monitoring all struggle week, simply in case the duvet up is in full impact, although Usman says he’s full pace (and well being) forward.

The one confirmed harm is the one suffered by Oliveira. “Do Bronx” suffered a lower above his eye whereas sparring simply days earlier than the massive struggle, which poses the query: When are fighters going to be taught that sparring laborious every week out from large fights merely isn’t sensible? Take a web page from Max Holloway, please. Oliveira has been eager for his probability to get the belt again from the person who took it from him solely to get it after which lose it on this method. Pending the results of the principle occasion, there is no such thing as a telling if and when the Brazilian bomber will get to struggle for the title once more. Particularly if that is even remotely true …

New Blood:

Sharabutdin Magomedov is the newest addition of Russian prospects to affix UFC’s roster, bringing his excellent document (11-0) to the world-famous Octagon to face Bruno Silva in a Middleweight affair. Magomedov has 10 finishes, seven within the first spherical, together with a 13-second and eight-second knockout. Briefly, Silva must maintain his head on a swivel if he doesn’t wish to lose his second straight struggle through stoppage. Magomedov has been one of the crucial anticipated debuts for a lot of, so now it’s time to see simply what he can do on the massive stage.

Mohammed Yaya brings his five-fight win streak from UAE Warriors to the eight-walled cage as he makes his promotional debut towards Trevor Peek, who suffered the primary lack of his skilled profession towards Jose Mariscal this previous summer season. All eight of Peek’s wins have come through (technical) knockout, six within the first spherical. Since Yaya has a 75 % end fee, don’t bee too shocked to see this one finish early, too.

How The ‘Prelims’ Look:

In girls’s Strawweight motion, Viktoriia Dudakova will face off towards Jinh Yu Frey. Dudakova is undefeated (7-0), which features a first spherical stoppage win over Istela Nunes this previous summer season as a result of a grotesque harm. She boasts a 90 % end fee with six submissions and two knockouts to her credit score. As for Frey, she is in determined want of a win right here as a result of she has misplaced three straight fights along with her final win coming greater than two years in the past. If she loses her fourth in a row, she might discover her identify on a the lower record within the coming weeks.

Muhammadjon Naimov will try to go two-for-two in his UFC profession after making a powerful debut by knocking out Jamie Mullarkey this previous summer season. “Hillman” is at present on a four-fight win streak and can look to extend it to 5 straight when he battles Nathaniel Wooden in a Featherweight bout. Wooden is at present on a three-fight win streak and is 4-1 in his final 5 fights.

Sedriques Dumas didn’t begin his UFC profession off on the precise foot, dropping his debut to Josh Fremd through submission. He bounced again properly with a unanimous choice win over Cody Brundage, and appears to construct on that momentum to climb up the Middleweight ladder when he takes on Abu Azaitar, who suffered his first loss in a decade in his earlier struggle towards Marc-Andre Barriault. That struggle, nonetheless, was greater than 2.5 years in the past, so there is no such thing as a telling if ring rust will probably be a think about his comeback struggle.

Javid Basharat has quietly gained his first three fights within the Bantamweight division all through unanimous choice. Curiously sufficient, prior to creating his UFC debut, “The Snow Leopard” had completed all 11 of his opponents. He’ll tackle Victory Henry, who owns a 2-1 document underneath the UFC banner, along with his lone defeat coming by the hands of long-time 135-pound stalwart, Raphael Assuncao.

Muhammad Mokaev (No. 11) is on a quest for a Prime 10 rating after successful his first 4 fights contained in the Octagon. If he can rating his fifth towards Tim Elliott, it needs to be greater than sufficient to perform that feat. However, Elliott is as skilled as they arrive and his quietly gone 4-1 over his final 5 fights. The previous 125-pound title contender will try to carry on to his No. 10 rating by changing into the primary man handy Mokaev a loss.

Who Wants A Win Badly:

Within the Light-weight division, undefeated rising contender, Anshul Jubli (7-0, 2-0 UFC), will face Mike Breeden, who’s in determined want of a win as a result of he has come up quick in all three of his UFC fights to date, which incorporates two first spherical knockouts in lower than 90 seconds. If he comes up quick for a fourth time, I simply don’t see the promotion retaining him on the roster. If he can’t get the win, a stable efficiency could not solely earn him an additional $50,000, however one other shot contained in the Octagon.

Curiosity Stage: 9/10

The remainder of the PPV primary card has three fascinating matches, together with a Mild Heavyweight bout that may have some title implications between Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker. After combating to a “uninteresting” draw towards Jan Błachowicz at UFC 282 in a bout for the vacant title, as a substitute of Ankalaev getting one other shot on the strap or re-booking the struggle with Blachowicz, the promotion opted to provide Jamahal Hill and Glover Teixeira subsequent dibs for the strap. Hill gained the struggle after which went on to vacate the title after struggling an harm. In consequence, Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka will now struggle for the vacant strap at UFC 295. So, what does that imply for Anakalaev? It signifies that if he can get a powerful win over Walker he might make a case for one more 205-pound title shot since he’s ranked No. 2. For Walker, defeating Ankalaev will get him into the Prime 5.

Within the Middleweight division, Ikram Aliskerov will try to win his seventh straight struggle (second underneath the UFC banner) when he takes on the aforementioned Alves, who took the struggle on quick discover after Nassourdine Imavov was pressured out due to visa points. Alves is on a two-fight dropping streak, but when he occurs to come back up quick (which I feel he’ll), I don’t count on the promotion to chop him after he stepped as much as the plate.

Kicking off the PPV primary card will probably be a Bantamweight struggle between Stated Nurmagomedov and Muin Gafuron. Nurmagomedov noticed his momentum come to an finish after his four-fight win streak was snapped by Jonathan Martinez, stopping him from cracking the Prime 15. He’ll look to get again into the win column when he battles Muin Gafurov, who got here up quick in his Octagon debut this previous summer season, dropping a unanimous choice to John Castaneda.

Benefit from the fights!

Full UFC 294 Struggle Card:

UFC 294 PPV Important Occasion On ESPN+:

155 lbs.: UFC Light-weight champion Islam Makhachev vs. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (not Charles Oliveira)

UFC 294 PPV Important Card On ESPN+ (2 p.m. ET):

185 lbs.: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman (not Paulo Costa)205 lbs.: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker185 lbs.: Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves (not Nassourdine Imavov)135 lbs.: Stated Nurmagomedov vs. Muin Gafurov

UFC 294 Prelims’ Card on ESPN+ (10 a.m. ET)

125 lbs.: Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev155 lbs.: Trevor Peek vs. Mohammad Yahya135 lbs.: Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry185 lbs.: Abu Azaitar vs. Sedriques Dumas155 lbs.: Anshul Jubli vs. Mike Breeden145 lbs.: Muhammad Naimov vs. Nathaniel Wood115 lbs.: Viktoriia Dudakova vs. Jinh Yu Frey185 lbs.: Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Bruno Silva

*Struggle card, bout order and variety of fights stay topic to alter.*

Keep in mind that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of all the UFC 294 struggle card proper right here, beginning with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches on-line, that are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. ET, earlier than the pay-per-view (PPV) primary card begin time at 10 p.m. ET (additionally on ESPN+).

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