UFC 294: Alexander Volkanovski poised for shock Islam Makhachev rematch with just 11 days notice

Aussie featherweight champ Alex Volkanovski has agreed to a rematch against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, just 11-days out from UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.

Brendan Bradford

@1bbradfo

2 min read

October 11, 2023 - 5:12PM

With just 11-days notice, Alex Volkanovski has agreed to a rematch against Russian Islam Makhachev, after his opponent pulled out injured. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Alex Volkanovski will step up on just 11 days’ notice to fight lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

The bout will be a rematch of their UFC 284 classic in Perth in February.

Makhachev had been scheduled to defend the belt against Charles Oliveira, but the Brazilian pulled out due to an injury.

In a deal that was made in just four hours on Wednesday, Volkanovski accepted the UFC’s hastily made offer and will fly out to Abu Dhabi this Sunday.

“Volk stays ready, he’s the ultimate professional,” Volkanovski’s manager, Ash Belcastro told this masthead.

“It’s huge for him, huge for the sport and huge for Australia.”

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With just 11-days notice, Alex Volkanovski has agreed to a rematch against Russian Islam Makhachev, after his opponent pulled out injured. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

THIS IS NOT A DRILL ðŸ˜±

Charles Oliveira is out of next Saturday's #UFC294 main event, @AlexVolkanovski is replacing in a rematch for the Lightweight title with @MakhachevMMA

[ @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/zR3Nlqzl7P
— UFC (@ufc) October 11, 2023

Volkanovski is coming off a dominant three-round featherweight title fight victory over Yair Rodriguez in July.

He had surgery on an injured arm following the bout, and was slated to face number five ranked featherweight Ilia Topuria at UFC 297 in Toronto in January.

“He’s still the featherweight champion, and we’d have liked a full fight camp, but you don’t get many opportunities to be great,” Belcastro said. “We thought he’d be fighting in January against Ilia, but we got the phone call, discussed it internally with Alex, his coaches and family and decided to go for it.”

Volkanovski is coming off a dominant three-round win over Yair Rodriguez in July. Picture: Getty Images

A win over Makhachev would put Volkanovski in rarefied air as one of only a handful of UFC fighters to simultaneously hold belts in two different weight classes.

Volkanovski has previously spoken about wanting to defend both titles at the same time, but Belcastro says a win could see him leave the featherweight division for good.

“He’ll most likely fight again in January,” he said. “When Volk wins, we will probably stay at lightweight – most likely.

“There’s more fights and bigger fights at lightweight.”

UFC president Dana White had nothing but praise for Volkanovski, when confirming the news.

“The Volkanovski crew, these guys are absolute studs, man,” White said. “He jumps in and accepts the fight.

“One phone call (was all it took). And I would’ve announced it hours ago, but I was waiting for the guys in Abu Dhabi to wake up to let them know before we reported it.”

Volkanovski has been intent on running it back with Makhachev ever since their first fight ended in a controversial decision in Perth.

The Wollongong resident had initially planned on fighting the winner of Makhachev vs Oliveira 2 after he defended the featherweight belt against Topuria.

There was even talk the rematch could be held at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium some time next year.

The cut that forced Charles Oliveira out of #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/uv6IuRd5aD
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) October 11, 2023

“Everyone wants to see the rematch (with Makhachev),” Volkanovski told this masthead in July, a week after undergoing surgery on his arm.

“Everyone wants to see rounds five to 10. I want it, I can’t wait for it.

“I would have even rushed into camp to make that happen (in October), but it’s all good. I’ll heal up, train, get through Ilia Topuria and then maybe early next year we can run that one back and I’ll get a good camp in.”