Alex Volkanovski steps in to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 294

UFC 294 has a new main event 11 days before the fight after the organization announced that UFC lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev will defend his title against UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch on October 22 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Before the recent development, Makhachev was supposed to face former world champion Charles Oliveira in another highly-anticipated rematch. The fight, however, was called off after the Brazilian sustained a bad cut in sparring.

“Round five of sparring last night. He was supposed to jump in a plane today, splits his eyebrow wide open. Had it stitched up last night,” UFC President and CEO Dana White revealed.

With Oliveira out of the picture, the UFC offered the fight to Volkanovski instead, who opted to take the bout on short notice. Touted as one of the best in the world, Volkanovski fought Makhachev last February where he lost via unanimous decision in a highly competitive showdown.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News