UFC 294 recap: Makhachev's head kick KO of Volkanovski in Abu Dhabi
Before Volkanovski returns to Etihad Arena for UFC 333, a look back at his short-notice loss to Islam Makhachev in 2023.
Alexander Volkanovski headlines UFC 333 at Etihad Arena on 24 October, three years after his last visit ended badly. At UFC 294 on 21 October 2023, Islam Makhachev knocked him out in the first round to keep the lightweight title.
Volkanovski was not meant to be there. Charles Oliveira withdrew injured, and the then featherweight champion took the rematch on ten days' notice, looking to reverse a decision loss to Makhachev in Perth in February 2023.
It did not last long. Makhachev landed a head kick and followed with punches, and the fight was stopped at 3:06 of round one. The win moved him to 25-1 with a 13th straight victory, while Volkanovski dropped to 26-3 but returned home still holding the featherweight belt.
The co-main event also came together late. Khamzat Chimaev, back after 13 months away, beat Kamaru Usman by majority decision in Usman's first middleweight fight, with Usman also stepping in on short notice. Earlier, Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker ended in a no contest after an illegal knee in the first round.
The same week, Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism extended its UFC deal to 2028. Volkanovski later lost his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria before winning it back against Diego Lopes at UFC 314, and he now returns to the same arena to defend it against Movsar Evloev.
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs EvloevSat 24 Oct · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi See ticketsSource: AsianMMA, BreakingNews.ie, UFC.com, Abu Dhabi Media Office, Gulf News
