UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski – The Stats, Breakdown, and Prediction

UFC 294 promises to be a night filled with drama and surprises, as the fight card has undergone some last-minute changes. While the original matchup featured Islam Makhachev facing Charles Oliveira and Paulo Costa squaring off against Khamzat Chimaev, injuries have forced adjustments. Oliveira’s withdrawal due to injury has led to the UFC Featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, stepping in to face Makhachev. However, Costa’s elbow injury hasn’t ruled him out of contention yet, keeping fans and Dana White on their toes.

Last-Minute Turmoil

The UFC 294 fight card had been set well in advance. Still, just ten days before the event, the MMA community was in for a surprise. Brazilian fighter Charles Oliveira suffered a significant blow just above his eye during training, rendering him unable to compete in the main event. Fortunately, for fight fans and White, the show will go on with Makhachev vs. Volkanovski headlining the event. Both fighters are extraordinary in their own right, promising a thrilling showdown.

Beyond the headline fight, the main card features other exciting bouts, adding to the anticipation of UFC 294. It includes a Light Heavyweight clash between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker, a Middleweight showdown featuring Warlley Alves and Ikram Aliskerov, and a Bantamweight battle pitting Said Nurmagomedov against Muin Gafurov. These matchups offer a variety of fighting styles and storylines for fans to enjoy.

This event marks the second encounter between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski, much like it was intended to be between Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. The rematch stems from Makhachev’s last title defense in February 2023 at UFC 284. Remarkably, Volkanovski has earned another title shot, a mere eight months after their initial bout.

Fight Breakdown and Prediction

When assessing this epic rematch, Makhachev seems to hold the upper hand, having already secured a victory against Volkanovski not too long ago. However, the statistics from their previous encounter indicate that Volkanovski delivered an outstanding performance.

In terms of total strikes, Volkanovski boasted 164 compared to Makhachev’s 95. Even in the significant strikes category, Volkanovski led with 70 to Makhachev’s 57. Many fans and analysts still believe the judges may have made an error in their decision, but history cannot be changed. UFC 294 provides Volkanovski with an opportunity for redemption.

In the lead-up to UFC 294, Volkanovski’s last appearance was at UFC 290, where he successfully defended his UFC Featherweight title against Yair Rodriguez in July. He secured a comfortable victory via knockout in the third round. In contrast, Makhachev’s most recent bout was against Volkanovski in February.

Volkanovski’s readiness for this fight remains uncertain, as he steps in as a late replacement. Originally, he was set to continue in the Featherweight division, defending his title against Ila Topuria at UFC 297. His decision to move up a weight class for another shot at a dual-division championship demonstrates his determination.

Despite their closely contested match at UFC 284, Volkanovski faces a significant challenge due to his limited preparation in the Lightweight division. Meanwhile, Makhachev has been honing his skills under the guidance of the undefeated UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.