Tag: Alexander Volkanovski

Social media reacts to Islam Makhachev’s KO of Alexander Volkanovski to defend title in UFC 294 rematch

The MMA community reacted to Islam Makhachev defending his title with a KO of Alexander Volkanovski in their UFC 294 main event rematch.

[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] repeated the feat on Saturday and defeated [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] again to defend lightweight gold in the UFC 294 headliner.

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) added a second defense to his 155-pound title reign and a second win over featherweight champ Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) to his resume with a first-round kncokout victory in the main event rematch at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Makhachev’s title defense over Volkanovski at UFC 294.

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UFC 294 play-by-play and live results

Check out live play-by-play and official results from UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, featuring Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2.

ABU DHABI – UFC 294 took place Saturday, and you can check out play-by-play and official results right here.

UFC 294 took place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) met featherweight champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC), who failed to become a two-division titleholder. Volkanovski stepped up on short notice when Charles Oliveira pulled out. He lost to Makhachev in the UFC 284 main event earlier this year in Australia.

In the co-feature, Khamzat Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) took on former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-3 MMA, 15-2 UFC), who moved up to 185 for the first time – and on short notice after Paulo Costa pulled out with a staph infection.

Check out our round-by-round updates and official results for the prelims and main card below. You also can get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) and Farah Hannoun (@Farah_Hannoun) on X (formerly Twitter).

UFC 294 ‘Embedded,’ No. 6: ‘See you in Valhalla’ for Round 6

The stars of UFC 294 make weight and face off one final time before stepping into the octagon.

The UFC is back for its regular fall trip to Abu Dhabi, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 294 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view at a special time of 2 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) takes on featherweight champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC), who once again will try to become a two-division titleholder. Volkanovski stepped up on short notice when Charles Oliveira pulled out. He lost to Makhachev in the UFC 284 main event earlier this year in Australia.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is at middleweight after he badly missed weight a little more than a year ago at 170 pounds. He takes on former welterweight champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (20-3 MMA, 15-2 UFC), who will make the move up to 185 for the first time – and on short notice after Paulo Costa pulled out.

The sixth and final episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Khamzat Chimaev cuts kilos with a starstruck Jon Anik. Athletes make weight in the morning, then face off for fans one last time before UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2, with Kamaru Usman v. Chimaev and Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker.

Also see:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.

UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 watch-along live stream with MMA Junkie Radio (2 p.m. ET)

Join MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” for a live-streamed watch-along of UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.

UFC 294 takes place Saturday headlined by a lightweight title fight, and MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” will host a live-streamed watch-along right here, which kicks off with the pay-per-view at 2 p.m. ET.

In the main event, 155-pound champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] meets featherweight champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] in a rematch of their February champ-champ showdown that Makhachev won by close decision. And in the co-main event, former welterweight champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] moves up to middleweight looking to knock off [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] from the ranks of the unbeaten.

UFC 294 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+ and YouTube.

Below is the lineup of fights included in the watch-along:

  • Champ Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski – for lightweight title
  • Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker
  • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves
  • Muin Gafurov vs. Said Nurmagomedov

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.

UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC 294 odds between Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski, with MMA picks and predictions.

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In a 5-round lightweight championship bout in the main event, Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski meet Saturday at UFC 294 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s around the UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims can be viewed on ESPN+ starting at 10 a.m. ET with the main card following on Pay-Per-View (PPV) at 2 p.m. ET.

Records: Makhachev (24-1-0) | Volkanovski (26-2-0)

Volkanovski moves up once again from the featherweight division to attempt to become a 2-class champion. These 2 fighters met in February, and it was Makhachev posting the unanimous-decision victory at UFC 284 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

In that 1st matchup, Volkanovski recorded a knockdown, and he landed 70 significant strikes to 57 for Makhachev. The current champ, however, posted a control time of 7:37 to just 2:55 for Volkanovski, while the Russian fighter scored 4 takedowns to none for Volkanovski.

Makhachev had 57 significant strikes to 70 for Volkanovski, but the champ was much more surgical, landing 60.0% (57 of 95) of the significant strikes, to just 48.9% (70-of-143).

The win over Volkanovski was Makhachev’s last fight. It was his 1st time going the distance after 4 submission victories and a win via KO/TKO.

For Volkanovski, he stepped back down to featherweight on July 8, dropping Yair Rodriguez in the 3rd round via KO/TKO at UFC 290 to retain his strap.

Overall, Volkanovski holds a 6.25-to-2.35 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, while Makhachev lands 71.94% of those strikes to 60.18% for Volkanovski. The southpaw has a 3.24-to-1.86 takedown average advantage over Volkanovski, too, while holding a 1.05-to-0.19 submission average advantage.

Watch  this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6:04 p.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Makhachev -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Volkanovski +205 (bet $100 to win $205)
  • Over/Under: 4.5 rounds (Over -120 | Under -106)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -102 | No -124)

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UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

Makhachev (-250) won a classic fight against VOLKANOVSKI (+205) in  February, but this time it’s the Aussie finding a way to sway the judges in his favor, likely setting up a trilogy fight and a dream matchup sometime in 2024.

Volkanovski gives up 10 pounds, and he was overwhelmed at times against Makhachev in the 1st meeting. However, he did a lot of good things, too, and seemed to get stronger as the fight went along, while making the proper adjustments to just nearly pull off the upset. I think he is able to turn the tables, hang around, and hopefully be a little more accurate with his significant strikes than he was in the first go-around.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 4.5 ROUNDS (-120) is worth a look, as this one should go the distance again. I like Volkanovski to win, and I don’t see him getting a finish against the heavier fighter. Instead, he’ll need to wow the judges.

In addition, VOLKANOVSKI BY POINTS (+480), for a chance to nearly multiply your initial wager by 5 times, is also worth playing in the “Method of Victory” prop.

Lastly, playing YES (-102): FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE is also worth playing at near even-money.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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Video: Did the UFC 294 main event get better with the Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski rematch?

We were cruising to a lightweight title fight between champ Islam Makhachev and ex-champ Charles Oliveira. Then the rug got pulled out.

The MMA world was cruising along to a UFC 294 lightweight title fight between champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] and ex-champ Charles Oliveira. Then the rug got pulled out.

Oliveira had to pull out with an injury less than two weeks before the Saturday headliner at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The UFC had what seemed to be a handful of options for someone to step in for the Brazilian to gun for Makhachev’s belt – and it went the person who had the most recent crack at the title.

Featherweight champion [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) stepped up on short notice to fight Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) not long after his unanimous decision loss in February, when he tried to become a simultaneous two-division titleholder.

Did Volkanovski make the most sense? His fight with Makhachev the first time was a close one, and some observers thought Volkanovski won the fight. Or should the UFC have gone a different direction, perhaps with a true lightweight who has been fighting in the division?

That’s what we asked this week’s “Spinning Back Clique” panel. UFC Hall of Famer and guest panelist Cub Swanson, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Nolan King broke it down with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia. Check out their discussion in the video above. And don’t miss this week’s complete episode below.

https://youtube.com/live/oGmJ6Eo2MpY?feature=share

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.

UFC 294 ‘Embedded,’ No. 5: What Alexander Volkanovski had to say immediately after first Islam Makhachev faceoff

The adrenaline flows through Alexander Volkanovski as he walks away from the UFC 294 press conference in the fifth “Embedded” episode.

The UFC is back for its regular fall trip to Abu Dhabi, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 294 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view at a special time of 2 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) takes on featherweight champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC), who once again will try to become a two-division titleholder. Volkanovski stepped up on short notice when Charles Oliveira pulled out. He lost to Makhachev in the UFC 284 main event earlier this year in Australia.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is at middleweight after he badly missed weight a little more than a year ago at 170 pounds. He takes on former welterweight champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (20-3 MMA, 15-2 UFC), who will make the move up to 185 for the first time – and on short notice after Paulo Costa pulled out.

The fifth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

We officially will get the REMATCH between Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev, and despite the short notice, Volk says he’s the most dangerous he’ll EVER be. Alexander “The Great” tells DC he won’t go for a 25-minute fight, he’s there to “put hands on his chin and get the finish.” And Alexander Volkanovski breaks down why Makhachev may be stressing too much ahead of this fight. Plus, Volk reveals how it all went down when he got the phone call from the UFC!

Also see:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.

UFC 294 video: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski final faceoff for title rematch

The final countdown to the Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski title rematch at UFC 294 has begun after ceremonial weigh-ins.

ABU DHABI – The final countdown to the [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] title rematch at UFC 294 has begun after ceremonial weigh-ins.

Lightweight champion Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) and challenger Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) engaged in a final staredown on Friday after making weight early in the day, and the intensity was prevalent as they look to achieve different goals in their second encounter.\

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After Makhachev edged featherweight champ Volkanovski by unanimous decision at UFC 284 in February, he was scheduled to face Charles Oliveira at Saturday’s event. Oliveira withdrew due to injury, however, and Volkanovski stepped in on 11 days’ notice for his much-desired rematch.

UFC 294 takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+ and YouTube.

Check out the video above to see Makhachev and Volkanovski face off one last time before UFC 294.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.

UFC 294 pre-event facts: Will Kamaru Usman’s historic takedown defense hold up at middleweight?

The best facts about UFC 294, including the compelling statistical contract in Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev.

The UFC’s annual trip to Abu Dhabi goes down Saturday with UFC 294, which takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island with a main card that airs on pay-per-view at a special time of 2 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN+.

A highly anticipated lightweight championship rematch headlines the event. [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) will attempt to log his second consecutive title defense when he runs it back with featherweight kingpin [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC), who steps in for Charles Oliveira in 11 days’ notice to run back his narrow decision defeat to Makhachev at UFC 284 in February.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC 294.

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UFC 294 video: Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski make weight for lightweight title rematch

There were no issues at weigh-ins for Islam Makhachev or Alexander Volkanovski ahead of their UFC 294 title rematch.

ABU DHABI – There were no issues on the scale for [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] or [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] as they made weight for the UFC 294 headliner.

With plenty of anticipation for champion Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) and challenger Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) to rematch for the lightweight belt in Saturday’s pay-per-view main event, which follows prelims on ESPN+ and YouTube from Etihad Arena on Yas Island, many were holding their breath for a drama-free weigh-in.

That’s what came to fruition, with Makhachev registering at 155 pounds on the scale. Volkanovski, who stepped in for Charles Oliveira on just 11 days’ notice, did his job at 154.5 pounds.

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Now it remains to be seen who will get the better of the sequel. Makhachev outworked Volkanovski to a unanimous decision in their first meeting, which also took place at UFC 284 in February.

Watch the video above to see Makhachev and Volkanovski make weight for UFC 294.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.