Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 headlines UFC 294
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 will headline the upcoming UFC 294 pay-per-view card, according to UFC president Dana White.
White announced the fight on Wednesday evening, confirming that the rematch between Makhachev and Oliveira will headline this year’s PPV card in Abu Dhabi. These two lightweight studs met a year ago at UFC 280, with Makhachev claiming the promotion’s 155 lbs title following an impressive second-round submission victory over “Do Bronx.”
Abu Dhabi we're back and we're bringing a STACKED card with us!!@DanaWhite just announced the first three fights for #UFC294 in October 🔥
[ Tickets on sales this week | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/9mgcbIwbB8
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2023
Makhachev (24-1) is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in MMA right now. He has a 12-1 record in the UFC, including notable victories over Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski, Bobby Green, Dan Hooker, Thiago Moises, and Arman Tsarukyan, to name just a few. He has some of the best grappling in the sport right now with absolutely dominant wrestling. Makhachev continues to make waves in the lightweight division and if he can get this win over Oliveira in the rematch, it would add to his resume, which is already one of the best we have already seen at 155 lbs.
Oliveira (34-9, 1 NC) lost his belt last year to Makhachev but he bounced back in devastating fashion when he knocked out Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 back in June in order to earn this rematch. At first, Oliveira said that he needed more time to prepare for his next title fight since his last bout was so recent, but clearly, the UFC was able to convince him to take this fight against Makhachev. It’s possible he was told that if he didn’t take this fight in October that another fighter would be offered the title shot instead. Either way, Oliveira did enough by knocking out Dariush to get another crack at Makhachev and getting his belt back, and this UFC 294 main event fight should be amazing to watch.
Who do you think wins the UFC lightweight championship at UFC 294, Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira?
