Five reasons to watch UFC 294, with lightweight title rematch and middleweight superfight

Islam makhachev (right) and Alexander Volkanovsky (left) have a rematch in UFC 294. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The big moment has arrived. This Saturday (21), in Abu Dhabi, the great UFC 294. With 13 fights scheduled, the event, which has undergone drastic changes in recent days, continues to be one of the biggest MMA shows in the 2023 season. Islam makhachev e Alexander Volkanovsky rematch for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3kg) in the main clash.

Lightweight champion since the end of 2022, Makhachev would have Charles of the Bronx as the initial opponent on the card. With an injury to the Brazilian star on the eve of the show, the Russian had a rival called up at the last minute and, now, he is renewing his battle against Volkanovski, an opponent beaten by the star's pupil. Khabib Nurmagomedov in February.

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In the co-main fight, there was also a change. Paulo borrachinha was scheduled to face Khamzat Shimaev in the challenge that marks the Emirati's debut as an official representative of the middleweight division (up to 83,9kg.). The miner, however, ended up contracting the staphylococcus bacteria and was forced to leave the fight, giving way to Kamaru Usman. The winner will compete for the category title against the throne holder, Sean Strickland.

Also in the second half of the event, Johnny Walker meets the biggest challenge of his professional MMA career. In a great phase in the light heavyweight division (up to 93kg), the Brazilian shares the octagon with Magomed Ankalayev, number two in the ranking. A positive result brings the Brazilian promise closer to the unprecedented title fight in the category.

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In addition to Walker, two more Brazilians make up the card. Last minute call for the show, Warlley alves moves up to middleweight and faces Ikran Aliskerov. Bruno Blindado challenges undefeated newcomer Shara Magomedov.

To get into the spirit of the event, the team at SUPER FIGHTS listed five reasons to follow the UFC 294. Check out:

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1) Weight rematch

Volkanovski (left) and Makhachev (right) in UFC 284. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Protagonists of a real battle in February, Makhachev and Volkanovski will collide again in the Octagon. On one side, Khabib's pupil, considered the 'successor' of the Russian legend. On the other, the featherweight champion (up to 65,7kg) who seeks to fulfill his dream of winning two belts in the UFC.

Winner in the first confrontation, Islam returns to action with the intention of expanding his legacy in professional MMA. If he beats the Australian star again, the Russian will reach the milestone of two title defenses and will be one positive result away from equaling Khabib's achievement in the division.

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One of the best featherweights in history, responsible for overcoming names like José Aldo e Max Holloway, Volkanovski continues to rise. Living at his peak, the fighter was the closest to overcoming Makhachev since the current champion's only defeat to Brazilian Adriano Martins, in 2015.

2) legacies of Makhachev and Volkanovski

Volkanovski (left) and Makhachev (right) in UFC 284. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Famous for his solid, effective style and great ability to nullify opponents in his challenges, Makhachev was the favorite student of the late Abdulmanap Numagomedov, Khabib's father. Today, at the top of the lightweight division, the fighter boasts one of the longest undefeated streaks in recent UFC history, with 12 victories.

Number two in the Ultimate weight-for-pound ranking, behind only Jon Jones, Volkanovski will have the second opportunity to make even more history at the company. Before the setback against Islam in February, the Australian had a 10-year unbeaten run.

If he wins, Khabib's protégé will be included in discussions about his place among the biggest names in the category. Alexander, in turn, will join the select list of athletes who have held simultaneous titles in the organization.

3) Challenging in sight

Kamaru Usman (left) and Khamzat Shimaev (right) facing the UFC 294. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFC

Despite the absence of the injured Paulo borrachinha in the co-main event of UFC 264, the confrontation continues with great weight and importance for the fans and the organization. With Kamaru Usman Taking over from the Brazilian, Dana White, president of Ultimate, decided to spice up and enhance the commitment.

In a press conference last week, the 'big boss' guaranteed a title shot to the winner of the co-main fight. Therefore, the collision between Usman and Khamzat Shimaev must define the champion's next opponent Sean Strickland.

An icon in the welterweight division (up to 77,1kg.), Kamaru accepted the challenge of facing the company's pupil with less than 10 days to go before the clash. One of the greatest athletes in the recent history of MMA, the Nigerian took on the role of protagonist and faces the 'Bogeyman' in a new division, months after the frustrated attempt to recover the lost throne against Leon edwards.

Undefeated in 12 appearances in mixed martial arts, Khamzat is considered a great bet for the future of the UFC. Famous for his ability to run over opponents in the fast lane, the representative from the United Arab Emirates, for the first time, will face a former Ultimate champion.

If he wins, Usman will have the opportunity to win the second title in his career with the company. Chimaev, in turn, carries out an unprecedented confrontation for a throne in the organization.

4) Johnny Walker and the biggest challenge in his career

J. Walker weighing in for the UFC Las Vegas 48. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Flying below the radar in UFC 294, Johnny Walker He has a big commitment ahead of him. In a great phase in the light heavyweight division (up to 93kg), the fighter from Belford Roxo (RJ) will share the octagon with a 'quarry'.

Number two in the ranking, Magomed Ankalayev tries to defend its prominent position in the group and erase the embarrassing performance in the challenge against Jan Blachowicz at the end of 2022, when both fought in a fight marked by a lack of combativeness in the dispute for the vacant title at the time. The fight ended in a draw.

The Brazilian arrives for the battle fueled by three positive results in a row. The Russian, in turn, defends an unbeaten record of 10 commitments.

If he wins, Walker will put himself in a great position to demand a title shot. Today, the category does not have a champion. In November, Alex Poatán e Jiri Prochazka face each other for the group's vacant throne.

5) More Brazil

Bruno Blindado after victory in UFC Las Vegas 71. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Besides Johnny Walker, Brazil has two more representatives on the card. Welterweight veteran, Warlley alves agreed to replace the injured Nassourdine Imavov and faces a promise.

On the main card, the Tupiniquim will face Ikran Aliskerov.

In the fight that opens the event, Bruno Blindado holds his third challenge in the 2023 season. With three setbacks in the last five appearances, MMA's greatest middleweight knockout artist since 2021 wants to find balance in the company.

ATTENTION!!!

With alternative time, o evento que será realizado em Abu Dhabi está previsto para iniciar às 11h (horário de Brasília) deste sábado (21). O show será transmitido na íntegra pelo UFC Fight Pass, Ultimate's official streaming platform. The main card of the event is scheduled to start at 15am.

How to watch UFC 294

O SUPER FIGHTS will broadcast the first two fights of the UFC 293 in video. The coverage of SUPER FIGHTS starts at 11am (Brasília time). The remaining duels will be followed in REAL TIME, in our minute by minute, with texts, photos and videos of the best moments of all the fights. O SUPER FIGHTS will still cover the UFC 294 by the YouTube and on our channel Twitch with narration, commentary and videos.