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UFC 294 Preview
UFC 294 is arguably seeing better matchups with the replacement fighters in the main and co-main events—not that there was anything wrong with the originally scheduled opponents. Islam Makhachev having the rematch with Alexander Volkanovski a little sooner than anyone expected certainly isn’t cause for handwringing. What is, though, is the very short notice it’s happening on—two weeks.
Volkanovski mentioned in a recent interview that he would have to cut 26 pounds to make championship weight. That’s not exactly a small cut, but ‘The Great’ is fired up to test himself again, so here we are, with the rematch just hours away. Hopefully, Alexander got a nice pay bump for taking the fight.
Islam Makhachev is said to have left a blueprint with Volkanovksi on how to beat him. Many believe that the Aussie won the first bout, but Islam has the belt, and it’s up to Alex to convince the judges or get the champ out of there inside the distance. Will he be able to join the very small list of short notice athletes that walked away with a belt on a short notice fight? He would be joining the likes of Michael Bisping, T.J. Dillashaw, and Jon Jones if he manages to pull it off. Let’s take a look at some stats from their first contest:
Makhachev
- Knockdowns: 0
- 57 of 95 significant strikes
- Significant strike percentage: 60%
- Total strikes landed: 95 of 135
- Takedowns landed: 4 of 9
- Takedown percentage: 44%
- Control time: 7:37
Volkanovski
- Knockdowns: 1
- 70 of 143 significant strikes
- Significant strike percentage: 48%
- Total strikes landed: 164 of 255
- Takedowns landed: 0 of 4
- Takedown percentage: 0
- Control time: 2:55
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski live play-by-play
Round 1
Islam with an inside leg kick. Islam throwing nothing but kicks so far but none landing except the first one. Inside leg kick lands for Islam as well as a high kick. Islam presses Volk against the cage. Volk spins it around and now Islam is pressed against the cage. Islam spins out and lands a great knee up the middle.
Volk has Islam against the fence again, but Islam is landing knees. THey work back to the center. Islam with a big left that lands. Left low kick by Volk. Islam lands a huge left high kick that puts Volk down like a sack of bricks. Islam follows him down with hammerfists as Goddard immediately intervenes. Fight over.
Official Decision
Islam Makhachev def. Alexander Volkanovski by KO at 3:06 of round 1; lightweight
UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 Quick Results
Main card
- – Islam Makhachev def. Alexander Volkanovski by KO at 3:06 of round 1; lightweight
- – Khamzat Chimaev def. Kamaru Usman by majority decision (29-27 x2, 28-28): Middleweight
- – Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker is a no contest at 3:13 of round 1: Light Heavyweight
- – Ikram Aliskerov def. Warlley Alves by TKO at 2:07 of round 1: Middleweight
- – Said Nurmagomedov def. Muin Gafurov by submission (Ninja Choke) at 1:13 of round 1: Bantamweight
Prelims
- – Muhammad Mokaev def. Tim Elliott by submission (Arm Triangle) at 3:03 of round 3: Flyweight
- – Trevor Peek def. Mohammad Yahya by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28): Lightweight
- – Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry is a no contest at :15 of round 2: Bantamweight
- – Sedriques Dumas def. Abu Azaitar by unanimous decision (29-28 x3): Middleweight
- – Mike Breeden def. Anshul Jubli by KO at 3:00 of round 3: Lightweight
- – Muhammad Naimov def. Nathaniel Wood by unanimous decision (29-28 x3): Featherweight
- – Victoria Dudakova def. Jinh Yu Frey by unanimous decision (29-28 x3): Strawweight
- – Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Bruno Silva by unanimous decision (30-27 x3): Middleweight
Start date and time
UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 takes place on October 21st, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main event starts at 2 p.m. ET. The prelims begin at 10 a.m. ET.
Live streams
UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 is available on ESPN+ PPV for $79.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay $124.98 for the UFC 294 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription. The event is scheduled to start live at 10:00am ET, 7:00am PT, with the prelims on the ESPN+ streaming platform in the US, as well as Fight Pass. The PPV main card is to kick off at 2:00pm ET, 11:00am PT. For full streaming details, and compatible devices go here.