UFC 294, held on October 22, 2023 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was one of the most anticipated events of the year. The main event was a lightweight title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski, with Makhachev originally scheduled to fight Charles Oliveira before Oliveira withdrew due to injury.
The fight was a dominant performance by Makhachev, who knocked out Volkanovski in the first round with a vicious head kick. Makhachev showed his grappling prowess throughout the fight, controlling Volkanovski on the ground and landing strikes until the referee stopped the fight.
In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev defeated Kamaru Usman via majority decision in a closely contested fight. Chimaev started strong, taking Usman down and controlling him on the ground in the first round. Usman bounced back in the second round, landing strikes and taking Chimaev down himself. The third round was back-and-forth, with both fighters landing strikes and neither able to gain a clear advantage.
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155 lbs.: UFC Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev vs. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (⁠not Charles Oliveira⁠)
185 lbs.: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman (⁠not Paulo Costa⁠)
205 lbs.: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker
185 lbs.: Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves (not Nassourdine Imavov)
135 lbs.: Said Nurmagomedov vs. Muin Gafurov
125 lbs.: Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev
155 lbs.: Trevor Peek vs. Mohammad Yahya
135 lbs.: Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry
185 lbs.: Abu Azaitar vs. Sedriques Dumas
155 lbs.: Anshul Jubli vs. Mike Breeden
145 lbs.: Muhammad Naimov vs. Nathaniel Wood
115 lbs.: Viktoriia Dudakova vs. Jinh Yu Frey
185 lbs.: Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Bruno Silva