UFC 294
| Industry | Mixed martial arts promotion |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Las Vegas , United States |
| Website | www |
UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 was a mixed martial arts competition organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, taking place on October 21, 2023, at the Etihad Arena located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Background
This occasion represented the UFC's eighteenth event hosted in Abu Dhabi and its first return since UFC 280 held in October 2022.
Originally, a rematch for the UFC Lightweight Championship was scheduled between reigning champion Islam Makhachev and former titleholder Charles Oliveira. Their prior encounter occurred at UFC 280, where Makhachev secured the vacant championship through a second-round submission. Due to injury, Oliveira withdrew and was substituted by the Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski. This matchup was historically significant as it marked the inaugural instance of champions from separate weight classes competing again for the identical title, following eight earlier cross-division championship contests. Volkanovski sought to become the fifth UFC fighter to hold titles simultaneously in two divisions, joining distinguished athletes such as Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, and Amanda Nunes. The former KSW Featherweight and Lightweight Champion Mateusz Gamrot was designated as the backup competitor.
A middleweight clash between Ikram Aliskerov and Nassourdine Imavov had been arranged; however, Imavov withdrew because of visa complications and was replaced by The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 victor Warlley Alves.
Another middleweight contest featuring previous title challenger Paulo Costa against Khamzat Chimaev was planned, but Costa pulled out following elbow surgery. He was succeeded by former Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman, who assumed the role of co-main event adversary for Chimaev.
During the weigh-ins, Victoria Dudakova (116.6 lbs) and Mike Breeden (159.5 lbs) failed to meet their respective weight requirements. Their matches proceeded at catchweight terms, with Dudakova fined 20% and Breeden penalized 30% of their fight purses, which were awarded to their opponents, former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion Jinh Yu Frey and Road to UFC Season 1 lightweight winner Anshul Jubli, respectively.
Results
({unanimous}}) ({29–28}}, {29–28}}, {29–28}})
|} |}
({116.6 lb})
|{ Victoria Dudakova} |{ def.} |{ {Jinh Yu Frey}} |{ Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) |} |} {{MMAevent bout |{ Middleweight} |{ Sharabutdin Magomedov} |{ def.} |{ Bruno Silva (fighter)|Bruno Silva} |{ Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) |} |}
Bonus awards
The following competitors earned $50,000 bonuses:
- Fight of the Night: No award given.
- Performance of the Night: Islam Makhachev, Ikram Aliskerov, Said Nurmagomedov, and Muhammad Mokaev