UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 Explosive Fights and Stunning Results

The Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, witnessed an unforgettable night of mixed martial arts action as UFC 294 unfolded on October 21. It was a card filled with thrills, shocks, and remarkable performances that kept fans at the edge of their seats. In this article, we'll break down the main card results, including the main event and co-main event that had MMA enthusiasts buzzing.

Main Event: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski - A Stunning Finish

In the main event, the UFC Lightweight Champion, Islam Makhachev, had a last-minute change of opponent when Charles Oliveira was forced to withdraw due to injury. Makhachev found himself facing Alexander Volkanovski, the long-reigning featherweight titleholder, for the second time in eight months. This time around, it was Makhachev who made the statement. In a jaw-dropping first-round finish, he executed a flawless head kick, knocking out Volkanovski in just 3 minutes and 6 seconds. The Dagestani fighter proved his dominance and left the audience in awe with his remarkable performance.

Co-Main Event: Chimaev vs. Usman - An Unexpected Showdown

The co-main event experienced a significant twist when Paulo Costa had to withdraw due to an infected bursa. Stepping up to the challenge was welterweight legend Kamaru Usman, who aimed to secure a shot at two-division glory against former opponent Sean Strickland. However, "The Nigerian Nightmare" faced a formidable opponent in Khamzat Chimaev. The bout went the distance, with two judges scoring in favor of "Borz," extending his undefeated record. Chimaev's victory potentially puts him on the path to championship glory, marking a significant shift in the UFC landscape.

Additional Main Card Highlights

• Light Heavyweight Action: The matchup between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker ended in a no contest in the first round, adding an element of uncertainty and intrigue to the division.

• Middleweight Clash: Ikram Aliskerov delivered a scintillating performance, securing a victory via TKO against Warlley Alves in the first round with a flurry of punches.

• Bantamweight Submission: Said Nurmagomedov displayed his grappling prowess, locking in a ninja choke to submit Muin Gafarov in just 1 minute and 13 seconds of the first round.

The preliminary card and early preliminary card also featured exciting bouts, including a submission win by Muhammad Mokaev, a unanimous decision victory for Trevor Peek, and an unexpected no contest between Javid Basharat and Victor Henry.

Here are the full results of UFC 294:

Preliminary Card:

• Flyweight: Muhammad Mokaev def. Tim Elliott via submission (arm-triangle choke): R3, 3:03

• Lightweight: Trevor Peek def. Mohammad Yahya via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

• Bantamweight: Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry ends in a no contest: R2, 0:15

• Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas def. Abu Azaitar via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Early Preliminary Card:

• Lightweight: Mike Breeden def. Anshul Jubli via KO (punches): R3, 3:00

• Featherweight: Muhammad Naimov def. Nathaniel Wood via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

• Women's Strawweight: Victoria Dudakova def. Jinh Yu Frey via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

• Middleweight: Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Bruno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

It was a night of electrifying matchups and unforgettable moments, setting the stage for even more exciting MMA action to come. MMA enthusiasts around the world eagerly anticipate what the future holds for these fighters and the sport as a whole.