Tag: Islam Makhachev

Charles Oliveira accused of avoiding UFC 294 fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘He never wanted to go to Abu Dhabi’

Charles Oliveira accused of avoiding UFC 294 fight never wanted to go Abu DhabiFormer undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been accused of never actually wanting to fight rival, Islam Makhachev for…

Charles Oliveira accused of avoiding UFC 294 fight never wanted to go Abu Dhabi

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been accused of never actually wanting to fight rival, Islam Makhachev for a second time this weekend at UFC 294 – due to the bout taking place in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Oliveira, the current number one ranked lightweight contender under the banner of the promotion, was slated to headline UFC 294 this weekend in the MIddle East in a championship rematch with Makhachev, however, was forced from the bout on just 10 days’ notice after he suffered a laceration over his right eyebrow.

In his place comes undisputed featherweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Alexander Volkanovski – who replaces Oliveira and himself lands a title fight rematch with Makhachev at the Etihad Arena.

Belal Muhammad speculates Charles Oliveira got injured on purpose

Sharing his thoughts on Oliveira’s withdrawal, despite claims from the Brazilian himself that he didn’t want to go to Abu Dhabi and fight “unprepared” due to his grisly injury, surging welterweight challenger, Belal Muhammad has claimed Oliveira never wanted to compete in the region in the first place.

“To me, Charles (Oliveira) never wanted to go to Abu Dhabi,” Belal Muhammad said on his Instagram account. “He never wanted to fight in enemy territory, as he said. He wanted it where he wanted it. Do I say he did it purposely? Who knows? But he chose not to fight.”

“Charles got what he wanted,” Muhammad explained. “He’s not fighting Abu Dhabi. As a fighter, you understand the game, right? The training is the hardest part. But the biggest fight of your life, the biggest rematch of your life. You get a cut 10 days before the fight in your eyebrow? Who are you training with, bro?”

What are your thoughts on Belal Muhammad’s claims on Charles Oliveira?

Daniel Cormier set to commentate teammate Islam Makhachev’s title fight at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi

Daniel Cormier set to commentate teammate Islam Makhachev's fight at UFC 294 in Abu DhabiJust as he did a year ago, former two-division champion, Daniel Cormier is set to serve as color-commentator for…

Daniel Cormier set to commentate teammate Islam Makhachev's fight at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi

Just as he did a year ago, former two-division champion, Daniel Cormier is set to serve as color-commentator for this weekend’s UFC 294 lightweight title fight involving his close friend and American Kickboxing Academy training partner, Islam Makhachev.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight championship, will return to the Octagon this weekend atop UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE – in search of his third consecutive lightweight title fight victory.

Initially booking a lightweight title fight rematch with Charles Oliveira, Makhachev saw his re-run with the former champion fall to the wayside just 10 days’ out, after the Brazilian suffered a nasty cut over his right eyebrow, forcing him to withdraw from the clash.

However, in a quickfire turnaround, Makhachev will now face off with undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski – for the second time in as many fights, with the Australian replacing Oliveira and rematching Makhachev for lightweight gold.

The night’s co-headliner also saw a massive switch up too, with former middleweight champion, Paulo Costa ruled from a heated grudge match with the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev, after he developed a bursitis infection in his elbow.

Replacing Belo Horizonte native, Costa comes former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, who clashes with Chimaev in a middleweight divisional bow – and subsequently, a title-eliminator clash at 185lbs.

Islam Makhachev’s UFC 294 return will be called by Daniel Cormier

And with Makhachev once more headlining at the Etihad Arena for the second year running, according to a report from MMA Junkie, the Russian’s former training partner and teammate at AKA, Hall of Fame inductee, Cormier will call the action from the commentary booth for his friend’s title fight rematch with Islam Makhachev. 

Alongside Cormier serving as color-commentator, former lightweight contender and potentially soon-to-be-returning lightweight challenger, Paul Felder will serve in a three-man booth – alongside play-by-play lead, Jon Anik. 

Who wins at UFC 294: Islam Makhachev or Alexander Volkanovski?

Alexander Volkanovski won’t let judges get involved in Makhachev rematch: ‘I plan on knocking him out’

Alexander VolkanovskiFeatherweight world champion Alexander Volkanovski is ready to make the most of his short-notice opportunity at UFC 294. In February, Volkanvovski first met reigning lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev at UFC 284, taking the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ to the limit and, in the eyes of many, doing more than enough to become a two-division champ. However, the […]

Alexander Volkanovski

Featherweight world champion Alexander Volkanovski is ready to make the most of his short-notice opportunity at UFC 294.

In February, Volkanvovski first met reigning lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev at UFC 284, taking the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ to the limit and, in the eyes of many, doing more than enough to become a two-division champ. However, the judges didn’t see it that way, awarding Makhachev the win via a questionable unanimous decision.

Eight months later, they will run back their Fight of the Year contender on October 21 as the UFC heads to Abu Dhabi. And this time, Volknanovski has no intention of letting the judges get involved.

“It’s going to be an exciting one,” Volkanovski said during a media scrum in Australia. “Obviously, I want to go out there and hurt him. We’ll try to make sure it doesn’t go five rounds. I want to finish it early. I don’t want to test his gas tank. Don’t get me wrong, I think I can do it, but let’s not try and test it. Let’s just finish it nice and early.

“With how excited I am, how refreshed I am — both mentally and physically — I’m going to be a dangerous man in there. I plan on knocking him out” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Alexander Volkanovski Had No Hesitations About Taking Late-Notice Rematch

Originally, Makhachev was slated to face Charles Oliveira in another highly anticipated rematch, but after sustaining an injury while sparring, ‘Do Bronx’ was forced to withdraw, paving the way for Volkanovski to step in on 11 days’ notice. Asked if there was any hesitation on taking such a high-profile fight on less than two weeks’ notice, ‘The Great’ revealed that he never once wavered in his decision-making.

“I didn’t hesitate at all,” Volkanovski explained. “There was probably a smile on my face straight away and it was, ‘Oh, we’re going to do it,’ let the manager do his part with negotiations. He’s asking about the weight, ‘We’ll get it done, don’t worry about that.’ But I had a smile on my face.

“The next day, or couple of days, I literally just was laughing thinking how crazy this is, but happy at the same time. I think I needed this, to be honest.”

Since coming up short in their first meeting, Alexander Volkanovski has added another win to his resume, besting former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez in a title unification clash at UFC 290. For Makhachev, it will be his first fight since facing Volkanovski earlier this year.

Ali Abdelaziz shuts down future title fight for Charles Oliveira after UFC 294 exit: ‘He missed his opportunity’

Ali Abdelaziz tells Charles Oliveira he won't fight for title again after UFC 294 missed your opportunityProminent mixed martial arts manager and representative will have his client, Islam Makhachev fight another client of his in the form of BMF championship holder, Justin Gaethje next if he gets his own way – claiming ex-titleholder, Charles Oliveira has “missed his opportunity”, after he withdrew from UFC 294 next weekend through injury. Slated to […]

Ali Abdelaziz tells Charles Oliveira he won't fight for title again after UFC 294 missed your opportunity

Prominent mixed martial arts manager and representative will have his client, Islam Makhachev fight another client of his in the form of BMF championship holder, Justin Gaethje next if he gets his own way – claiming ex-titleholder, Charles Oliveira has “missed his opportunity”, after he withdrew from UFC 294 next weekend through injury.

Slated to headline UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE next weekend, former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira was forced from his championship rematch with the incumbent, Makhachev, after suffering a laceration on his eyebrow in the final round of sparring before jetting out to the Middle East. 

Remaining in the main event of UFC 294 at the Etihad Arena, Makhachev will take on reigning featherweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Alexander Volkanovski on just 10 days’ notice, in a rematch of their February champion versus champion showdown in Perth, Australia.

Charles Oliveira told to forget about a future rematch with Islam Makhachev

And sharing his thoughts on Oliveira’s withdrawal from a title rematch with Makhachev due to injury, the above-mentioned, Abdelaziz claimed both his clients, Makhachev and Gaethje should vie for the championship next.

“This is Frankie Edgar 8 days before he fought Jose Aldo,” Ali Abdelaziz posted on his official X account, accompanied by pictures of Frankie Edgar dealing with lacerations. “Charles (Oliveira) missed his opportunity, Justin Gaethje is next for the title.” 

Earning his route back to a title rematch with Makhachev back in June, Oliveira turned in a dominant first round ground strikes TKO win over Kings MMA staple, Beneil Dariush at UFC 289, rebounding to the winner’s enclosure in a first career win in Canada to boot.

Previously clashing with American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev back in October of last year in the main event of UFC 280, former champion, Oliveira saw his record-setting 12-fight winning run halted after dropping a second round arm-triangle submission loss. 

Would you like to see Charles Oliveira fight Islam Makhachev again?

Alexander Volkanovski says all the pressure is on Makhachev at UFC 294: ‘You better do something about it’

VolkanovskiAlexander Volkanovski says all the pressure is on Islam Makhachev come UFC 294. In a blockbuster announcement made by UFC CEO Dana White earlier this week, Volkanovski will step into the main event slot on October 21 after Makhachev’s original opponent, Charles Oliveira, was forced to withdraw after sustaining a nasty gash over his right […]

Volkanovski

Alexander Volkanovski says all the pressure is on Islam Makhachev come UFC 294.

In a blockbuster announcement made by UFC CEO Dana White earlier this week, Volkanovski will step into the main event slot on October 21 after Makhachev’s original opponent, Charles Oliveira, was forced to withdraw after sustaining a nasty gash over his right eye during a sparring session.

With 11 days’ notice, ‘The Great’ will look to live up to his moniker as he once again meets the reigning lightweight world champion in a rematch that fans have been clamoring to see ever since their Fight of the Year contender at UFC 284 in February.

“We were told about Charles pulling out and needing a backup,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “They hit me up yesterday, we said, obviously, alright, let’s do it. Obviously, did the negotiations, they did that, I just said, ‘Yeah. Make sure it’s worth it (laughs),’ and let’s do it.

“This is obviously a pretty crazy thing to do. There’s not many fighters out there who probably would do this, especially in my position, but I always say that I will do these things, I am that guy that will do any time, anywhere, any weight, whatever it is. This is just an opportunity to prove that once again” (h/t MMA Fighting)

Alexander Volkanovski is Ready to Shock the World at UFC 294

Volkanovski and Makhachev have remained adamant that their paths would cross again after their incredibly close encounter in The Land Down Under, but nobody expected it to happen so soon.

“I didn’t want to wait and now I don’t have to wait at all,” Volkanovski said. “It’s pretty crazy but I think it’s all meant to be. This just adds to the story. Even that close fight we had, this just adds to the story. Me going over there to Abu Dhabi, him with a full camp, all of this stuff.”

Despite going into a fight without a full camp against the No. 2 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Alexander Volkanovski is feeling as confident as ever and believes all the pressure will be on his opponent come fight night.

“I get to shock the world. I can’t wait to go out there and do it,” he added. “That fight made me a better fighter anyway. Honestly, my training after that and my takedown defense, all that, my scrambling ability, the way I understand the ground. I’ve always had that but I learned so much from that fight and I carried that through in obviously my last camp and after.

“Let’s go out and finish this guy,” he concluded. “No pressure on me, baby. No pressure at all. All the pressure’s on him. I’m coming off the couch. You better do something about it.”