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Dillon Danis offers to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, lobbies Dana White: ‘I’m free next week’

Dillon Danis offers to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 I'm free next weekend Planning an eventual Octagon landing in the future, Bellator MMA grappler, Dillon Danis has offered to make a short-notice debut in the promotion at UFC 294 next weekend – offering to fight the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Danis, who is set for his combat sports return this weekend in Manchester, takes on […]

Planning an eventual Octagon landing in the future, Bellator MMA grappler, Dillon Danis has offered to make a short-notice debut in the promotion at UFC 294 next weekend – offering to fight the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Danis, who is set for his combat sports return this weekend in Manchester, takes on the outspoken podcast host and professional wrestler, Logan Paul in a professional boxing debut for the New Jersey native.

Sidelined since 2019, Danis holds a 2-0 professional mixed martial arts record, boasting back-to-back submission victories in two outings at the welterweight limit under the Bellator MMA banner.

For Chimaev, the Chechen-born contender has been sidelined since September of last year, most recently submitting Kevin Holland with a first round D’Arce choke submission win.

And expected to his year-long hiatus next weekend in the co-main event of UFC 294, Chimaev has seen a scheduled middleweight clash with one-time title chaser, Paulo Costa thrown into jeopardy after the Brazilian underwent a surgical procedure just three weeks ago to address a bursitis infection in his elbow.

Dillon Danis offers to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 next week

UFC CEO, Dana White has confirmed that a search for a potential replacement opponent for Costa is underway, in a bid to keep the undefeated Chimaev on the card. And according to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Danis, he would be free next weekend to make a Middle East trip and Octagon bow against Chimaev.

“I’m free next week @danawhite give me Khamzat Chimaev,” Dillon Danis posted on his official X account.

I’m free next week @danawhite give me Khamzat Chimaev.

— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) October 11, 2023

Atop UFC 294 to boot, an initially scheduled headliner between champion, Islam Makhachev and former titleholder, Charles Oliveira has also been shelved overnight, with the latter suffering a laceration to his eyebrow overnight, ruling him from proceedings.

As a result, Russian favorite, Makhachev will now match up with undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in a championship rematch on just 10 days’ notice next weekend at the Etihad Arena.

Would you like to see Dillon Danis make a UFC debut against Khamzat Chimaev?

Nate Diaz mocks ex-Champion Charles Oliveira after UFC 294 title fight withdrawal: ‘Crotch injury’

Reacting to news of former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira’s withdrawal from UFC 294 next weekend, former promotional star, Nate Diaz has hit out at the Brazilian – claiming the ex-titleholder is withdrawing due to a “crotch injury” – as well as taking time to make a dig at arch-rival and former interim champion, Dustin Poirier. […]

Diaz, a former lightweight title challenger under the banner of the organization, has been sidelined from combat sports since August, making a professional boxing debut in a unanimous decision loss to the outspoken, Jake Paul.

In his final Octagon walk, the Stockton veteran managed to rally against former interim champion, Tony Ferguson, landing a fourth round guillotine choke submission win over the latter in his final contracted bout with the promotion.

And overnight, the lightweight title scene was thrown into disarray, with a nasty laceration on his eyebrow forcing Oliveira to withdraw from a scheduled UFC 294 title fight rematch against Makhachev next weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In place for the Sao Paulo native comes pound-for-pound number one and undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, who takes on Makhachev for the second time this year, attempting to avenge a February title fight loss.

Nate Diaz mocks Charles Oliveira after his UFC 294 withdrawal

Sharing his thoughts on Oliveira’s withdrawal and cancelled bout with Makhachev, Diaz took the time to hit to out at the ex-champion, as well as mocking his failed matchup with the above-mentioned, Poirier years ago.

“Crotch injury just like Dustin Poirier,” Nate Diaz posted on his official X account, accompanied by a picture of Charles Oliveira.

Matching with Makhachev back in October of last year in a vacant lightweight title fight, Oliveira dropped his lightweight title to the Russian, submitting to a second round arm-triangle choke, seeing his 12-fight undefeated run come to a crashing halt.

What are your thoughts on Nate Diaz’s attack on Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 294?

Paulo Costa, Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC 294 in jeopardy, Dana White seeking potential replacements

Following the stunning reshuffle of next weekend’s UFC 294 title fight headliner between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira, the slated co-headliner between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa is now in firm jeopardy of being cancelled as well, with Dana White confirming a search is underway for replacement opponents after Paulo Costa revealed he underwent surgery […]

Overnight, UFC CEO, White confirmed that former lightweight champion, Oliveira was forced to withdraw from next weekend’s UFC 294 championship rematch with Makhachev, after suffering a nasty laceration over his right eyebrow during the final sparring session of his camp, after an inadvertent clash of heads.

As a result, undisputed featherweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Alexander Volkanovski will replace Oliveira on short-notice next weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE – taking on Makhachev in a rematch of their February main event in Australia, with lightweight spoils on the line to boot.

First sharing the Octagon in Perth at the beginning of this year, Volkanovski suffered his first promotional loss in a unanimous decision defeat to Makhachev, and had campaigned tirelessly for a championship rematch with the Russian at UFC 300 next year.

And according to promotional leader, White, the slated co-main event between Chimaev and Costa has been cast into further jeopardy after the latter revealed he underwent a surgical procedure to address bursitis infection in his elbow – just three weeks ago.

Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in serious jeopardy

While the Brazilian has yet to be officially confirmed as out of his set fight with Chimaev, White confirmed how promotional brass had explored “a couple” potential replacement if needs be, to replace the former middleweight title challenger.

“Hopefully, within a couple of hours, I’ll have an answer for you,” Dana White told assembled media after the Contender Series last night.

Who would you like to see Khamzat Chimaev fight next week if Paulo Costa is out?

Paulo Costa, Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC 294 in jeopardy, Dana White seeking potential replacements

Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in serious jeopardy

“Hopefully, within a couple of hours, I’ll have an answer for you,” Dana White told assembled media after the Contender Series last night.

Who would you like to see Khamzat Chimaev fight next week if Paulo Costa is out?

Breaking – Charles Oliveira out, Islam Makhachev now set to fight Alexander Volkanovski in UFC 294 title rematch

Dana White revealed that Charles Oliveira is officially out of his highly anticipated rematch with Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi on October 21. The UFC CEO broke the news on Tuesday evening during a press conference following the latest episode of Dana White’s Contender Series. White confirmed that Oliveira was forced to pull out of […]

Dana White revealed that Charles Oliveira is officially out of his highly anticipated rematch with Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi on October 21.

The UFC CEO broke the news on Tuesday evening during a press conference following the latest episode of Dana White’s Contender Series. White confirmed that Oliveira was forced to pull out of the bout after sustaining a nasty cut over his right eye during a sparring session.

“Round 5 of sparring last night, before he’s supposed to jump on a plane today, splits his eyebrow wide open. Had it stitched up last night. Obviously can’t fly out here with that,” White said.

“They didn’t call us. We would have had him go to a plastic surgeon. They would have sewed it from the inside out, get that thing done the right way. These guys never call us like they should when something happens. They call us after they get it stitched up. On the flip side, too, I could see him not wanting to risk it, getting a shot like this.”

“Round 5 of sparring last night, before he was supposed to fly out today, he split his eyebrow wide open.”

Dana White revealed why Alex Volkanovski replaced Charles Oliveira

pic.twitter.com/OoHNwvzNpX

— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) October 11, 2023

‘The Great’ Steps Up and Takes Charles Oliveira’s Spot

With Oliveira officially out and the UFC 294 headliner in disarray, White confirmed that he only had to make one phone call to fill the slot. Stepping up to the plate on 11 days’ notice will be reigning featherweight world champion Alexander Volkanovski.

“This is how we do it, brother,” White said. “One fight falls out and we end up making a fight — it’s one of the most anticipated rematches ever in that weight class.”

Volkanovski and Makhachev delivered a Fight of the Year contender during their first meeting at UFC 284 in February. Eight months later, the pair will run it back with the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ once again putting his lightweight title on the line.

“The Volkanovski crew, him and Israel [Adesanya], these guys are absolute studs, man,” White added.

Unfortunately, that’s not the only blow that UFC 294 has taken over the last 24 hours. Reports recently surfaced suggesting that Paulo Costa could be out of his co-main event clash with Khamzat Chimaev after undergoing elbow surgery a few short weeks ago. The promotion is said to have already reached out to Marvin Vettori to step in, but ‘The Italian Dream’ is said to have declined the offer.

Paulo Costa confirms he is ‘Definitely’ fighting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 despite elbow surgery: ‘I can beat him’

Despite underdoing a surgical procedure just three weeks ago, former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has claimed he is still “definitely” sharing the Octagon with the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 next weekend – despite definite concerns from the organization. Costa, a former undisputed middleweight title challenger under the banner of the promotion, has […]

Costa, a former undisputed middleweight title challenger under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he featured against former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold back in August of last year, landing a close unanimous decision victory over the ex-titleholder.

And booked to make his return to the Octagon later this month, Brazilian striker, Costa welcomes the undefeated force, Chimaev back to the middleweight limit for the first time since his Octagon bow, in a potential championship eliminator.

However, appearing to throw the clash into jeopardy yesterday, Costa showed off the results of a recent surgical procedure he underwent just three weeks ago on his elbow to address an injury.

“How strong are u?” Paulo Costa wrote. “U never really know until you get tested by fire of life. I did surgery 3 weeks ago, 10 seams size. But I know how tough I’m and continues improving and overcoming myself. It doesn’t stop me, still doing my things sparrings and everything. I’m so blessing. God’s gives me exceptional condition, and surrounded my by great peoples.”

Paulo Costa insists he will be fighting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 next week

And despite concerns from fans regarding the status of Costa’s fight with Chechen-born contender, Chimaev, the Brazilian insists he is “definitely” fighting in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

“Yes, definitely, yes,” Paulo Costa told MMA Fighting. “Definitely yes. … [The UFC] are just worried about me because [of the surgery]. I took 10 days off to [get the procedure] in Brazil, and here [I took off] 14 more days before and after surgery. So, they’re a little bit worried about my health. But, I’m sparring, I’m doing everything.”

“I’d like to say thank you to the UFC as well for keeping me in this fight, because bro, I truly believe [if we fight] 100 times, I can beat him (Khamzat Chimaev0 like 99 percent [of the time],” Paulo Costa explained. “I have all the tools to beat this motherf*cker. He’s a wrestler. He has nothing for me. He has big head, long arms, slim body. He will do nothing against me. I will defend his takedown and I’m going to knock him out. So, I want this fight so bad, that’s why I’m still in this fight. I did a surgery, but it doesn’t [matter], I’m going to be there anyway.”

Do you think Paulo Costa makes good on his set fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294?