UFC 294 is set to take place this weekend, featuring an exciting card with two major fights that were organized in less than two weeks’ notice.
The original main event of UFC 294 was supposed to be a lightweight title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. However, Oliveira suffered a severe cut over his eye, and Alexander Volkanovski stepped in as his replacement.
Back in February, Makhachev narrowly outpointed Volkanovski, who is the reigning featherweight champion. Fans had hoped for a rematch at some point, but they did not expect it to happen so soon.
In the co-main event, Kamaru Usman, who lost the welterweight title last year after a dominant reign, will make his middleweight debut on short notice against the rising star Khamzat Chimaev.
Here’s everything you need to know about UFC 294. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
When is UFC 294?
UFC 294 is scheduled for Saturday, October 21, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The prelims will begin at 3pm BST (7am PT, 9am CT, 10am ET), followed by the main card at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET).
How can I watch it?
The fights will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the option to stream on the broadcaster’s app and website.
In the US, ESPN+ and the UFC’s Fight Pass will stream the action live.
If you are traveling abroad and wish to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Check out our VPN round-up, which includes deals on VPNs in the market. Make sure to comply with any local regulations and your service provider’s terms when using a VPN.
Odds
Makhachev – 4/9; Volkanovski – 9/5
Chimaev – 2/5; Usman – 2/1
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Full card (subject to change)
Main card
Islam Makhachev (C) vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 (lightweight title)
Khamzat Chimaev vs Kamaru Usman (middleweight)
Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker (light-heavyweight)
Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves (middleweight)
Said Nurmagomedov vs Muin Gafurov (bantamweight)
Prelims
Tim Elliot vs Muhammad Mokaev (flyweight)
Nathaniel Wood vs Muhammad Naimov (featherweight)
Mohammad Yahya vs Trevor Peek (lightweight)
Javid Basharat vs Victor Henry (bantamweight)
Abu Azaitar vs Sedriques Dumas (middleweight)
Mike Breeden vs Anshul Jubli (lightweight)
Viktoriia Dudakova vs Jinh Yu Frey (women’s strawweight)
Shara Magomedov vs Bruno Silva (middleweight)
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