Alexander Volkanovski was determined to avenge his defeat against Islam Makhachev on short notice, but unfortunately, his second chance at winning the UFC title didn’t go as planned.
The UFC featherweight champion stepped in to replace Charles Oliveira, who sustained a severe cut during sparring and couldn’t compete against Islam Makhachev in the UFC 294 main event. Volkanovski seized the opportunity and expressed his confidence in finishing Makhachev in their lightweight title rematch.
Regrettably, it was Volkanovski who was stopped in the first round after a devastating head kick connected.
Despite the outcome, Volkanovski wasted no time in expressing his desire to stay active. He has his sights set on a featherweight title fight against Ilia Topuria at January’s UFC 297 event. Is this the right move, or should he take a break following such a devastating finish? What other aspects of Volkanovski’s performance in Abu Dhabi stood out?
We posed these questions to our panel of experts on “Spinning Back Clique” – Farah Hannoun, Nolan King, and Brian “Goze” Garcia, along with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.
You can watch their discussion in the video above, and listen to the full episode for this week on YouTube or in podcast form.
For more coverage of the event, visit MMA Junkie’s hub for UFC 294.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72931262/usa_today_21973134.0.jpg "Stay Updated on Wisconsin Badgers Transfer Portal Movements for 2023-2024 Season")
