Tag: UFC 294

Justin Gaethje calls for title fight with Islam Makhachev after shocking KO win at UFC 294: ‘I’m next’

Justin Gaethje calls for title fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 294 I'm nextFormer interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje has sights fixed firmly on earning a title fight with incumbent division gold…

Justin Gaethje calls for title fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 294 I'm next

Former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje has sights fixed firmly on earning a title fight with incumbent division gold holder, Islam Makhachev following last night’s UFC 294 main event – claiming he should be standing opposite the Russian next, after his thunderous KO win against Alexander Volkanovski.

Gaethje, the current number two ranked lightweight contender, landed himself the symbolic BMF championship in the main event of UFC 291 back in July, stopping fellow former interim champion and two-time foe, Dustin Poirier with a hellacious second round high-kick knockout.

And watching on following his teammate, former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman’s close, majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev last night in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Gaethje staked his claim for a title fight with Makhachev.

Headlining last night’s flagship return to the Middle East, Dagestan favorite, Makhachev dispatched two-time opponent and pound-for-pound kingpin, Volkanovski with a brutal finish – landing a first round high-kick KO to finish the featherweight champion in their highly-anticipated rematch.

Justin Gaethje eyes Islam Makhachev fight after UFC 294

And despite the fact UFC CEO, Dana White has already lined up a title re-run between Makhachev and former champion, Charles Oliveira, the above-mentioned, Gaethje has called for a shot at the belt next.

“I’m next,” Justin Gaethje posted on his official X account. 

“Heck of a performance by Islam (Makhachev),” Justin Gaethje posted on his X account. “I have a mountain to climb.” 

As far as Makhachev is concerned, while he believes the time for a rematch with Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira is not right now, he stressed furthermore that he would fight any contender the UFC put in front of him.

Prior to UFC 294 to boot, the American Kickboxing Academy staple noted his intentions to fight for welterweight gold in his return, with a keen eye on the December title fight between Leon Edwards, and Colby Covington. 

Would you like to see Justin Gaethje fight Islam Makhachev next?

Video: Joe Rogan Reacts to Alexander Volkanovski’s Devastating Head Kick KO Loss at UFC 294

Alexander VolkanovskiLongtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan was stunned by Islam Makhachev’s first-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294. As…

Alexander Volkanovski

Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan was stunned by Islam Makhachev’s first-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294.

As ‘The Great’ entered the Octagon for another crack at the lightweight world title on 11 days’ notice, fans expected a repeat of his performance eight months earlier when the two men first met at UFC 284. Instead, the MMA community was speechless as the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ delivered a highlight-reel-worthy head kick that dropped Volkanovski near the three-minute mark of the opening round.

Following it up with some ground-and-pound, the referee had no choice, but to step in and call for the stoppage.

Rogan, who no longer travels out of the country for UFC events, took in all the action on pay-per-view alongside former heavyweight standout Brendan Schaub and comedian Bryan Callen. In a video clip shared by Schaub on X, you can see the popular podcaster’s live reaction to the shocking moment.

Alexander Volkanovski Heads Back to 145 Still on Top

With the win, Makahhev moved to 25-1 in his mixed martial arts career with 14 of those victories coming under the UFC banner. Owner of back-to-back victories against Alexander Volkanovski, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ will likely look to settle things with his originally scheduled UFC 294 opponent, Charles Oliveira. Also waiting in the wings is current BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje.

As for Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champ will return to 145 for an inevitable showdown with Ilia Topuria. ‘The Great’ hopes to make that fight happen in January, but that all depends on whether or not he’s medically cleared following Saturday’s brutal knockout loss.

Watch Alexander Volkanovski’s full UFC 294 post-fight press appearance below:

Michael Chandler plans fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 294: ‘I knock him out’

Michael ChandlerAfter taking care of some long-gestating business with Conor McGregor, ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler has every intention of testing his…

Michael Chandler

After taking care of some long-gestating business with Conor McGregor, ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler has every intention of testing his mettle against reigning lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev.

UFC 294 saw Makhachev score a stunning first-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski to retain the 155-pound crown. With back-to-back wins against the current featherweight king, Makhachev will likely begin his search for a new challenger. In all likelihood, that will be BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje or Makhachev’s original UFC 294 opponent, Charles Oliveira. You can also add Michael Chandler to the list of fighters ready to throw down with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s successor.

“12 month plan…KO Conor and KO Islam. I’ve calibrated to right where I need to be,” Chandler wrote on X following Saturday’s pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi. “Settled in. See you soon boys.”

Michael Chandler didn’t stop there, suggesting Makkhachev wouldn’t know how to respond if someone dragged him into a dogfight.

“Islam hasn’t fought anyone who sees “red” – hasn’t been in a dogfight – he has fought polished guys…the dogfight is his kryptonite. #ufc294,” Chandler added in a follow-up post.

Before he gets another crack at becoming the UFC’s lightweight champ, Michael Chandler is expected to welcome Conor McGregor back to the Octagon sometime in 2024. Originally, the pair were slated to scrap in December at UFC 296 not long after wrapping up their coaching duties on the 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter. Unfortunately, McGregor failed to re-enter the USADA testing pool for the required six months of pre-fight screening, pushing their inevitable clash into the new year.

The Irishman has since jumped back in the pool, but with the UFC set to part ways with USADA, it’s possible we could see McGregor return long before hitting the six-month mark.

Conor McGregor hits out at Khabib Nurmagomedov after UFC 294: ‘Homie quit, never forget’

Conor McGregorFive years removed from his iconic fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Irish megastar Conor McGregor threw some shade at his…

Conor McGregor

Five years removed from his iconic fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Irish megastar Conor McGregor threw some shade at his former opponent.

On October 6, 2018, Conor McGregor returned to the Octagon fresh off his professional boxing debut against Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather. Determined to reclaim the lightweight title, ‘The Notorious’ went toe-to-toe with then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in what would become the most-watched fight in the UFC’s 30-year history with a record-breaking 2.4 million pay-per-view purchases.

McGregor decided to commemorate the anniversary by calling out ‘The Eagle’ on the same night that Nurmagomedov’s protege, Islam Makhachev, defeated Alexander Volkanovski via a first-round knockout at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.

“5 years ago. 2018. I am now a black belt,” McGregor wrote on X. And with faces broken from the clinch on my record. As well as knives and daggers from the bottom. Homie quit, never forget. He is made of a b*tch.”

The Chaos of Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov

Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s rivalry is nothing short of legendary, with the Irishman famously launching a dolly into a bus he thought to be carrying the UFC Hall of Famer long before they ever stepped inside the Octagon. Instead of causing harm to his foe, the incident resulted in multiple fighters, including Michael Chiesa and ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas suffering injuries and trauma.

After Nurmagomedov’s fourth-round rear-naked choke submission of McGregor at UFC 229, ‘The Eagle’ flew over the top of the cage and immediately went after the Irishman’s cornermen, including Dillon Danis who worked as McGregor’s BJJ coach ahead of the fight. Following the chaotic scene, Nurmagomedov was suspended for nine months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission while McGregor was hit with a six-month suspension for his role in the post-fight brawl.

The Eagle’ went on to defend the lightweight title two more times against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje before walking away from the sport with a 29-0 record. Focused on training after laying down his own gloves, Nurmagomedov would go on to coach the next lightweight world champion, Islam Makhachev.

Since defeating Charles Oliveira to claim the title at UFC 280, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ has defended the gold twice against featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski.

Makhachev earned a unanimous decision against ‘The Great’ at UFC 284 in February. He followed that up with a stunning head kick KO against Volkanovski on Saturday night at UFC 294.

Kamaru Usman plans middleweight stay after UFC 294 loss: ‘I’ll take Dricus du Plessis at UFC 300, why not?’

Kamaru Usman confirms plan to stay at middleweight after UFC 294 wants Dricus du Plessis fightSuffering a close majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in his middleweight divisional bow tonight in the co-main event…

Kamaru Usman confirms plan to stay at middleweight after UFC 294 wants Dricus du Plessis fight

Suffering a close majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in his middleweight divisional bow tonight in the co-main event of UFC 294, former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has announced plans for a continued stay at 185 pounds, weighing up an immediate turnaround against the number one ranked, Dricus du Plessis.

Usman, a former undisputed welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one under the banner of the promotion, made a hasty return to the Octagon tonight on just 11 days’ notice – facing-off with the undefeated Chimaev in a middleweight division leap for the former gold holder.

Slumping to his third consecutive loss following a pair of championship fight defeats to three-time foe, Leon Edwards, Auchi native, Usman rallied well in both the second and third rounds against Chimaev tonight at UFC 294 – however, failed to mount enough offense to traverse a 10-8 round in the first frame. 

And announcing plans for a middleweight divisional stay following his title eliminator loss to Chechnya naitve, Chimaev tonight in the Middle East, Usman, who revealed he rejected a prior offer to fight the former over the course of five rounds instead of three – admitted he regretted that decision.

Kamaru Usman welcomes Dricus du Plessis fight at UFC 300

In terms of of immediate plans for a sophomore fight at the middleweight limit, Usman claimed he would be interested in fighting South African challenger, du Plessis in what may come as another championship-eliminator – potentially at UFC 300 in April of next year.

“Kamaru Usman sounds ready to stay at middleweight if Khamzat Chimaev gets Sean Strickland next for the middleweight title,” MMA Fighting reporter, Damon Martin posted on X. “”I’ll take Dricus du Plessis [in the] co-main [event of] UFC 300. Why not?”” 

Do you think Kamaru Usman can find success at the middleweight limit after UFC 294?

Dana White confirms Islam Makhachev will rematch Charles Oliveira after UFC 294 win: ‘You gotta give it to him’

Dana White confirms Islam Makhachev will fight Charles Oliveira after UFC 294 you gotta give it to himPromotional CEO, Dana White has confirmed plans to rebook a lightweight title fight between incumbent Islam Makhachev, and former…

Dana White confirms Islam Makhachev will fight Charles Oliveira after UFC 294 you gotta give it to him

Promotional CEO, Dana White has confirmed plans to rebook a lightweight title fight between incumbent Islam Makhachev, and former champion, Charles Oliveira, fresh off the former’s stunning title defense win over Alexander Volkanovski in tonight’s UFC 294 main event in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Headlining UFC 294 tonight in the Middle East, Russian lightweight great, Makhachev turned in a second career win over featherweight gold holder and pound-for-pound number one, Volkanovski, having defeated the former with a decision win back in February in their Perth, Australia grudge match.

However, tonight at the Eithad Arena, Makhachev put their rivalry and any questions of a close first fight to bed, dispatching Volkanovski with a spectacular opening round knockout, landing a brutal left high-kick to open a cut and force a stoppage win.

Remaining on tonight’s card in Abu Dhabi after a major reshuffling, Makhachev was initially scheduled to headline the flagship event against the above-mentioned, Oliveira in a rematch of their vacant title clash last October.

However, on just 10 days’ notice, Volkanovski was drafted in to fight Makhachev, after Sao Paulo finishing ace, Oliveira suffered a nasty cut over his right eyebrow during the final sparring session ahead of UFC 294.

Dana White plans Islam Makhachev – Charles Oliveira 2 after UFC 294

And despite plans for a welterweight division leap, amid the surge of former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje to boot, Makhachev has already been lined up to fight Brazilian favorite, Oliveira in a rescheduled bout by UFC boss, White.

“You’ve got to give it to (Charles) Oliveira…” Dana White said of a rematch between Islam Makahchev and Charles Oliveira whilst speaking with assembled media after UFC 294 tonight. “But again, these are all questions I can’t really answer right now.” 

First fighting back in October of last year in the main event of UFC 280, Makhachev snapped the record-setting winning run of former champion, Oliveira with a brutal second round win, dispatching the Brazilian with an arm-triangle to land the vacant lightweight crown in Abu Dhabi. 

Do you want to see Islam Makhachev fight Charles Oliveira again after UFC 294?