Even in what appears to be the worst of circumstances, sometimes we can't count out UFC President Dana White and the organization from coming up with ideas that have everyone talking. And despite the injuries that forced changes to the main event and co-main event, UFC 294 may have even more hype going for it as it goes down today in Abu Dhabi.
In the main event, we have a rematch of the champion vs. champion superfight between lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, with Makhachev's title on the line. The two, both consdered two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC, first met back in February, with Makhachev retaining the lightweight title via a close, controversial decision.
Volkanovski fills in for Charles Oliveira on less than two weeks notice after Oliveira suffered a nasty cut around his eyebrow in training.
The co-main event will see former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman make his middleweight debut, as he takes on Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight title eliminator. The winner will earn the opportunity to challenge middleweight champion Sean Strickland.
Usman fills in on less than two weeks notice in place of Paulo Costa, who was forced out of the fight due to an elbow infection.
This story will be updated live throughout the night.
UFC 294 live highlights [Updated]
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski
ISLAM MAKHACHEV JUST KNOCKED OUT ALEX VOLKANOVSKI π±π± #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/g4bsINLcKM
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman
15 minutes in the books!
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Our #UFC294 co-main is headed to the judges' scorecards pic.twitter.com/SeD7su1cY2
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker
15 minutes in the books!
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Our #UFC294 co-main is headed to the judges' scorecards pic.twitter.com/SeD7su1cY2
Final 5 minutes on the way!
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Go inside the Usman corner before Round 3 π #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/HUU2l0k2pb
Security has to hold Usman and Chimaev back before the fight starts! π₯ #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/SYhwkRRSfm
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves
IKRAM ALISKEROV DID IT AGAIN π±
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Two first round knockouts to kick off his UFC career! #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/lTxr0qyEeO
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Muin Gafurov
π₯Άπ₯Άπ₯Ά #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/QWdNhiSafQ
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
SAID NURMAGOMEDOV IN JUST OVER A MINUTE π€―
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Guillotine gets the tap to open the #UFC294 main card! pic.twitter.com/rdtAxNpOd6
UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski preliminary card
Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev
STILL UNDEFEATED!!@muhammadmokaev gets the tap from Tim Elliot in Round 3 to close out the #UFC294 prelims π pic.twitter.com/7xbCnoXPZA
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Mohammad Yahya vs. Trevor Peek
Unanimous for Trevor Peek!
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
He gets back in the win column against Mohammad Yahya at #UFC294
[ @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/u2A5dPjttX
Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry
This bout has been called to a stop.
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Victor Henry is unable to continue after an unintentional foul and the fight has been ruled a no contest #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/UWhaeyzMFu
Abu Azaitar vs. Sedriques Dumas
Two in a row for Sedriques Dumas!
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
The Reaper takes a unanimous decision over Abu Azaitar at #UFC294
[ @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/mCPpHmUAMD
Mike Breeden vs. Anshul Jubli
Mike Breeden got that dawg in him π€£ #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/LXBug5Eeex
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
MIKE BREEDEN COMES BACK FOR THE FINISH π€― #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/IBWf5z6Pny
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Nathaniel Wood vs. Muhammad Naimov
Make that two in a row for Muhammad Naimov!
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
He moves to 2-0 inside the Octagon at #UFC294
[ @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/S2SHkr4d2V
Victoria Dudakova vs. Jinh Yu Frey
Unanimous for the undefeated Viktoriia Dudakova!
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
She moves to 8-0 with a victory over Jinh Yu Frey at #UFC294 π
[ @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/6viKD0BuHE
Sharaputdin Magomedov vs. Bruno Silva
Safe to say Magomedov is pleased with his first performance inside the Octagon #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/3EVz9i9lvL
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
STILL UNDEFEATED!
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Shara Magomedov wins his UFC debut by unanimous decision at #UFC294
[ @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/39l5gR6heo
15 minutes in the books!
β UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
Our first #UFC294 is headed to the judges scorecards pic.twitter.com/QKDhTaK1dU