Tag: UFC 294

MMA community reacts to new Makhachev-Volkanovski headliner at UFC 294; Nate Diaz rips Charles Oliveira

Check out the MMA community’s reaction to the UFC 294 main event shakeup.

UFC 294 has a new main event on just 11 days notice.

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] was set to meet [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] in a rematch for the lightweight title in Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately for “Do Bronx,” an injury has forced him out of the contest. As a result, featherweight champion [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] will step up on short notice for his own rematch against Makhachev as the new marquee bout of the pay-per-view event.

Naturally, when the MMA community is hit with major news, there’s a big reaction on social media, including former UFC superstar Nate Diaz, who took shots at Oliveira for pulling out of the fight.

Scroll below to see the reactions to the massive UFC 294 news.

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

Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev off UFC 294? Dana White aims to have answer soon

UFC 294 had a switch of main event, and now it’s co-main event between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev is in jeopardy as well.

LAS VEGAS – UFC 294 has a new main event, and very soon, it could have a new co-main event should the cards fall a certain way.

One day after [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] revealed he recently had arm surgery, UFC CEO Dana White indicated the fight vs. [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] could be in jeopardy. He hopes to seek clarity in the coming hours. The pay-per-view event takes place in 11 days at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

“Yeah, it’s possible,” White said at a DWCS 66 news conference. “… (I should know) very soon. Very soon. Unless another f*cking big mouth pops up out of somewhere. Yeah, hopefully within a couple hours I’ll have an answer for you.”

According to Costa, he underwent a surgical procedure for an infected bursa on his right elbow. Costa indicated he has no plans to withdraw from the fight, but it’s possible it won’t be his decision.

While White didn’t name specific names, he said there are backup plans in place for Chimaev should Costa be deemed unable to compete.

“We’re talking to a couple people right now,” White said.

White’s comments came moments after he confirmed the previously scheduled main event between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title was canceled. In the injured Oliveira’s place steps UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, on 11 days’ notice.

With the change, the UFC 294 fight card includes:

  • Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski – for lightweight title
  • Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker
  • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Nassourdine Imavov
  • Muin Gafurov vs. Said Nurmagomedov
  • Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev
  • Trevor Peek vs. Mohammad Yahya
  • Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry
  • Abu Azaitar vs. Sedriques Dumas
  • Mike Breeden vs. Anshul Jubli
  • Muhammad Naimov vs. Nathaniel Wood
  • Viktoriia Dudakova vs. Jinh Yu Frey
  • Shara Magomedov vs. Bruno Silva

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

Charles Oliveira out, Alexander Volkanovski to rematch Islam Makhachev for lightweight title at UFC 294

Alexander Volkanovski will replace an injured Charles Oliveira to take on Islam Makhachev in a title rematch at UFC 294.

[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] will be rematching a familiar foe at UFC 294, but not his originally scheduled opponent.

The main event of the pay-per-view event taking place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi was to be a lightweight title rematch between former champion Charles Oliveira and current titleholder Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC). However, Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) has been forced out due to injury, and featherweight champion [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] will step in. The news was first reported by OverDogs Podcast.

UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] confirmed the news at the DWCS 66 post-event news conference. According to White, Oliveira suffered an eyebrow laceration in sparring that required stitches.

As a result of the change in the marquee bout, Makhachev gets another rematch in Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC). The pair first met at UFC 284 in February, in what was Volkanovski’s bid for dual champion status. Makhachev won the main event title fight by unanimous decision, and has not fought since.

Volkanovski returned to 145 pounds for his next outing and defeated interim champion Yair Rodriguez by TKO in the third round of their title unification bout at UFC 290.

With the change, the current UFC 294 lineup includes:

  • Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski – for lightweight title
  • Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker
  • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Nassourdine Imavov
  • Muin Gafurov vs. Said Nurmagomedov
  • Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev
  • Trevor Peek vs. Mohammad Yahya
  • Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry
  • Abu Azaitar vs. Sedriques Dumas
  • Mike Breeden vs. Anshul Jubli
  • Muhammad Naimov vs. Nathaniel Wood
  • Viktoriia Dudakova vs. Jinh Yu Frey
  • Shara Magomedov vs. Bruno Silva

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

Paulo Costa details reason for recent surgery, confident UFC 294 bout vs. Khamzat Chimaev unaffected

Paulo Costa opens up about his recent surgery in preparation for UFC 294 on Oct. 21.

Despite recent health issues, [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] is confident he will set foot in the octagon on Oct. 21.

The former UFC middleweight title challenger is scheduled to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of UFC 294 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Although the fight currently stands, there was a recent scare by the by public after Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) revealed he recently underwent elbow surgery and is still recovering days away from the fight.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Costa clarified and shared more details on what is going on with his health.

“I went to the hospital and doctor said, ‘Paulo, unfortunately, it’s necessary to open your arm because it’s big inflammation and there’s infection inside your elbow,” Costa said when he found out he needed surgery “… Anyway, when doctor told me it was necessary to open, I told my team and I just asked doctor how long it would take to remove these stitches. They said we have five weeks from the fight right now, and you need to stay with stitches for two weeks, so after two weeks we’re going to remove them, and you have two weeks left to train. I said that’s good news, that’s enough. Two weeks is enough to train. I’m already in shape. I’m ready for this fight.”

Costa had an infection on his elbow in late August prior to traveling to Abu Dhabi. He had a small procedure done in Brazil, but things got worse once in Abu Dhabi and that’s when he was told he needed surgery.

Costa says the UFC is aware of his health issue and are keeping a close eye.

“They are just worried about me because I was taking a lot of medicines since Brazil,” Costa said. “I took 10 days of antibiotics in Brazil and here 14 days before and after surgery, so they are worried about my health.”

Yet, despite the surgery being very close to his fight, Costa is confident it won’t affect the status of the fight with Chimaev. After all, the UFC is aware and has yet to pull him from the bout, and he’s been able to fully train despite the bandage wraps on his elbow.

“I just ask doctor to please keep me in the fight,” Costa said. “I even asked him to not let UFC know, but that was not possible, so they report everything to UFC and I try to say thank you, UFC, for keeping me in this fight because I truly believe in 100 times I beat him 99 percent. I have all the tools to beat this motherf*cker.”

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

Henry Cejudo points to ‘tactics’ as biggest adjustment Paulo Costa needs vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294

Henry Cejudo thinks Paulo Costa’s biggest fault is that he approaches every fight the same way.

[autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag]’s biggest fault is approaching every fight the same way.

Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) welcomes [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) back to the middleweight division in the UFC 294 co-main event on Oct. 21 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Costa is coming off a unanimous decision win over Luke Rockhold last August at UFC 278. Prior to that, he lost back-to-back fights to former champion Israel Adesanya then Marvin Vettori. Cejudo thinks Costa has the well rounded skills but questions his game planning.

“For tactics, he fights everybody the same,” Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “I think that’s the biggest thing that I have with him. You know what is coming, but because he’s a risk taker, that can also work in his favor. He is dangerous. He’s going to rely on that power. He’s going to rely on the hands, and if he can maybe take you down, he’ll probably take it there. I’m trying to think of fights where he fought people different. It’s rare.

“Paulo fights the way he fights, but look at the average too, what is it that he’s actually done in the UFC on the percentage of the great fighters he’s beaten but also has lost to. So, if there’s any area where I feel like he really needs help on, it’s going to be here, his tactics. … But that only comes from the technique. Can Paulo ‘Borrachinha’ add new techniques to be able to become a better tactical fighter?”

According to BetMGM, Costa is a +280 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on “Borrachinha” would win $280 profit. Chimaev is a -375 favorite, meaning a $375 bet would be needed on the unbeaten fighter to return $100 profit.

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

Paulo Costa reveals recent elbow surgery ahead of Khamzat Chimaev fight: ‘It doesn’t stop me’

Paulo Costa has recently gone under the knife just weeks before UFC 294.

[autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] has recently gone under the knife just weeks before UFC 294.

Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) meets [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the Oct. 21 co-main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

“Borrachinha” posted a picture of his right elbow, which appears to have been infected. In an Instagram post Monday morning, the former title challenger revealed that he had surgery three weeks ago, but doesn’t appear fazed ahead of his big fight against Chimaev.

“How strong are u? U never really know until you get tested by fire 🔥 of life.
I did surgery 3 weeks ago , 10 seams size . But I know how tough I’m and continues improving and overcoming myself. It doesn’t stop me, still doing my things sparrings and everything. I’m so blessing , Gods gives me exceptional condition, and surrounded my by great peoples 🙌🧃🧬”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyKzemEuzMw/

In his most recent octagon appearance, Costa snapped a two-fight losing skid with a unanimous decision win over former champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 278 in August 2022. He will look to hand unbeaten Chimaev his first-career loss and spoil his return to 185 pounds.

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

Mateusz Gamrot to serve as UFC 294 backup fighter for Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira

Mateuz Gamrot will be the UFC 294 backup fighter for Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira, Dana White confirmed.

LAS VEGAS – The UFC 294 main event has a designated backup fighter should either [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] or [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] be unable to compete at the Oct. 21 pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi.

[autotag]Mateusz Gamrot[/autotag] has assumed that role and will weigh in Oct. 14, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Saturday at a UFC Fight Night 229 post-fight news conference. Gamrot had revealed the news earlier Friday while doing media in Poland.

Gamrot, 32, most recently competed Sept. 23 at UFC Fight Night 228 when opponent Rafael Fiziev suffered a torn ACL and was rendered unable to continue. Gamrot notched a second-round TKO victory as a result.

The win was Gamrot’s sixth in seven fights and second in a row His only loss in the UFC to date came against Beneil Dariush in October 2022. Prior to the win over Fiziev, Gamrot defeated Jalin Turner by split decision.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 229.

Video: Though ‘it’s the game,’ did Charles Oliveira have a point about fighting in Abu Dhabi being ‘unfair’?

Charles Oliveira recently acknowledged fighting in hostile territory is part of the game for a challenger, but he also did it as champion.

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] gets it, but he also doesn’t think it’s fair he has to fight [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] once again in Abu Dhabi, a pro-Makhachev location.

He did so as champion at UFC 280 in October 2022 and now will do so again as a champion for his rematch at UFC 294 this coming October. In a recent interview, Oliveira indicated both acceptance and disapproval of the situation.

So what’s the deal? Should a fighter like Oliveira have to challenge in enemy territory (especially twice)? Or since Makhachev holds the title is that sort of level of elevated respect nullified?

MMA Junkie’s “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Dan Tom, and Danny Segura joined host George Garcia discuss Oliveira’s comments and their thoughts on the protocols in general.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s full “Spinning Back Clique” episode below on YouTube or in podcast form.

UFC champ Islam Makhachev explains ‘big motivation’ to beat Charles Oliveira again

Rematching Charles Oliveira in the same place at UFC 294 is deja vu for Islam Makhachev, but his motivation hasn’t faltered.

Rematching [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] in the same place is deja vu for UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag], but his motivation hasn’t faltered.

Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) will run things back with Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) in the UFC 294 headliner on Oct. 21 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Makhachev dominated Oliveira en route to a second-round submission at UFC 280 last October. They will fight again just a year later, and Makhachev admits the same circumstances aren’t ideal.

“I feel the same thing like last year,” Makhachev told ESPN. “In September, I come to Dubai. Same hotel I stay, same training center, nothing changed. I need some new challenge. I like to travel, Australia, bring some guy, new city, new country, something new. When you do all the same things, it’s not fun.”

So if Makhachev was able to run through Oliveira the first time, what keeps him motivated for their rematch? The champion says the constant target on his back.

“Last fight I took zero damage,” Makhachev said. “I don’t feel the power from Charles. Maybe he changed something, I hope. … You know why (I’m still motivated)? Because (I) have belt, you look at the belt, and you don’t want to lose that belt. This is big motivation. That’s why I am going to protect my belt. I am training so hard because I know now everybody looks at me, everybody wants to take this belt, but I’m not going to give the chance to anyone.”

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

Colby Covington: Islam Makhachev using my name for headlines, won’t ‘actually step up’ and fight me

Colby Covington thinks UFC champ Islam Makhachev is just using his name for clout and isn’t serious about a move to welterweight.

[autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] doubts [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] is serious about fighting him.

Lightweight titleholder Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) wants to chase dual-champion status if he gets past Charles Oliveira for a second time at UFC 294 later this month in Abu Dhabi.

Covington (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) challenges Leon Edwards for the welterweight strap in the UFC 296 headliner on Dec. 16 in Las Vegas, and Makhachev said he hopes Covington wins so he can fight him. Makhachev was responding to Covington’s callout, but “Chaos” thinks Makhachev is just looking for clout with the response.

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“You know, he’s just saying that to get a headline,” Covington told Submission Radio. “He ain’t really going to come out here and fight. He’s another guy that he’s going to run his mouth, try and hype up a fight, but he’s never going to actually step up and do it. Khabib (Nurmagomedov) did the same thing. So, they know that American wrestling is the best. That Sambo sh*t don’t work. He would get worked like any day of the week in grappling or wrestling in America. He’s over there, you know, playing with sheep, doing his thing over there.

“But that stuff doesn’t work. And yeah, it’s worked on guys in the lightweight class when you can just muscle them around. These are little kids. These are little boys. And none of them wrestle anyway. So now you got a real f*cking American wrestler, raw American steel, the highest regard. He knows what would happen. He could keep saying that he wants to fight, but I think when pen comes to paper, his manager’s going to hide him from me.”

After dominating and submitting Oliveira to claim the 155-pound belt at UFC 280 in October 2022, Makhachev will look to beat him again. Meanwhile, former interim champ Covington looks to make good in his third attempt at undisputed gold when he faces Edwards.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.