UFC 294 has experienced several significant lineup changes, leaving fans both astonished and eagerly waiting for the new match-ups. This article breaks down the major athlete shuffles that have recently hit the headlines and provides viewers with essential information on how to catch all the action from UFC 294.
Alexander Volkanovski Steps Up to Face Islam Makhachev
Charles Oliveira, originally set to headline UFC 294, has been forced to withdraw following a severe cut he sustained during training. His absence from the card resulted in lightweight champion Islam Makhachev facing Alexander Volkanovski. The match-up was confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White, who also expressed frustration over the premature leak of this change before official announcements.
Volkanovski, on the other hand, is not new to twists. After a close loss to Makhachev earlier in the year, he successfully defended his UFC featherweight title against Yair Rodriguez. Now, he gets another shot at Makhachev in a fight that promises fireworks.
Kamara Usman to Face Khamzat Chimaev
Paulo Costa was all set for a face-off against Khamzat Chimaev, but recent elbow surgery made it impossible for him to compete, as per medical advice. Kamaru Usman, known for his dominance in the welterweight division, has decided to step up in weight and take on the challenge. He’s moving to the middleweight category to face Chimaev, marking a significant shift in his usual fighting weight. Usman, who previously held a remarkable streak of 15 consecutive UFC wins, has earlier considered a face-off with Chimaev, making this a much-anticipated clash.
How to Watch UFC 294?
With so many changes and top-tier fighters on the card, UFC 294 is gearing up to be one of the most memorable events of the year.
- Date: October 14, 2023
- Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
- Start Time: 2 p.m. ET
Viewing Details: UFC 294 will be aired live on ESPN+ pay-per-view for fans in the U.S. Ensure you have an active subscription to ESPN+ to catch all the actions live from Abu Dhabi.
For more fight details, check out the UFC Fight Card.
