Oct 13, 20234 min read

Weather Change

Alert. Alert! We have a breaking change in the weather for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. The main-event and co-main have been altered and reforcasted due to twister damage from two injuries that forced pull-outs; phone calls; and shocking twists that have the fight world in a spiral.

Charles Oliveira has pulled out of the main-event for the UFC Lightweight title due to needing stitches from a cut caused by a head-butt in the final round of his Monday sparring:

Charles and his team were planned to fly to Abu Dhabi the Tuesday morning after the incident for the fight next week. In a snap of the fingers, Oliveira's quest for revenge and his title back has, for now, turned to dust. All his preparation is for not. Now he watches someone else try and take the moment he has been dreamin' the past months for. That someone else you wonder? That someone else being the featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who steps in on 11 days notice to face Islam Makhachev for the title and in a rematch.

The noise was shattering loud, and the twists weren't done there. Leading up to the shocking news of Oliveira pulling out, many anticipated to hear news of a pullout from Paulo Costa's camp regarding his co-main bout scheduled with Khamzat Chimaev after Costa shared photos of a brutal staph infection on his elbow with vague captions:

I say 'vague captions' due to Costa making fans believe he could fight after havin' that kind of staph. No chance. Sure enough, Costa had to pull out after needing the surgery to heal that elbow. With that level of an incision post operation, it will take at least 8-12 weeks to heal and fully be in the rear-mirror. A healin' process that no one wants to mess with. That incision opening up is no fun. Had to pull out. Costa's replacement is a massive one as Kamaru Usman answered Dana's call and accepted to face Khamzat with a wink and smile capping off a thunderous change in the weather for UFC 294.

I for one am quite disappointed in Oliveira's pull-out. I had so much intrigue in him seeking revenge on Islam, and felt he could get the job done. Outside of that, I felt the bout was going to be special with Makhachev defending against a revengeful Olives who had seen Islam once already allowing him to be more precise and destructive in round two. Now we may never know. A giant bummer and something that reminds me of the Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov what if. Volkanovski steppin' up is a massive twist. An exciting one. Some are saying it's a win-win move by Volk, win or lose. I am not sure I agree with that. This move is risky by Volkanovski, high risk high reward sure, but RISKY.

It seemed inevitable that Volkanovski would get another crack at Makhachev eventually, especially if the two kept winning. The first fight was unreal and some still argue the scorecard. Islam found his toughest match, and almost got beat. Dana White mentioned before that he would like to book the sequel once the featherweight title is defended.

Instead of waiting things out, Volk bites on the opportunity to jump the gun. Eleven days notice means no full camp and it means Volk will fight Islam, realistically, not at full health after Volkanovski received surgery on his left arm in late July. It's October and the original rehab was 6-weeks before he could return to full-action but, that doesn't mean he is 100%. It's risky to take this fight. Volkanovski was signed to defend his featherweight title against Ilia Topuria in January, getting past Topuria would have led to Makhachev II in 2024. If Islam were to beat Oliveira in Abu Dhabi. Instead, Volkanovski versus Makhachev II is now goin' down in 8 days. Rather full-camp or 11 days notice, one thing is for sure: the fight will be a banger regardless.

Usman and Chimaev, are you kiddin' me!? The fight that fight fans have dreamt about for the past year and a half is now official for next Saturday at UFC 294. Khamzat Chimaev will face his most difficult test to date and a much different opponent than the man he trained for in Paulo Costa.

The Nigerian Nightmare Usman is BACK, movin' up to middleweight following back-to-back welterweight title fight losses to current champion Leon Edwards, doing so on days notice to fight an undefeated and fierce 185er in Chimaev. Prior to the consecutive losses, Usman reigned with domination over the 170-pound division and racked up five title defenses. He has not competed since UFC 286 in March however, and has since fell from the throne drastically, causing some to wonder if his best days are officially behind him. Usman returns in the biggest way he could write up as he takes a crack at eliminating that goose egg on Khamzat Chimaev's record. The loudest statement imaginable to prove he's not done yet.

This fight should be utter fireworks, more so than I believe Costa and Chimaev would have been. Don't get me wrong, that was a pretty awesome marquee matchup. But the fight would have stalled after an electric first round, ending in a swift cleaning on the ground (by Chimaev). Usman brings a whole notha element when you consider his ability in all fashions including an elite stamina meter. I want to say the fight will be on the feet in the entirety, but I bet I'm wrong. Can you imagine Khamzat Chimaev trying to bully a Kamaru Usman to the ground? Phew, we are about to experience that imagination!

What an unreal chain of events to throw a complete curveball on UFC 294. A full out twister hit and caused destruction in it's path. I really feel for Charles Oliveira and hope that the what if can somehow still be voided. Looking at these two new main-events though... they have me feelin' confident we will see some loud noise in the Octagon. How can you not be pumped for Chimaev and Usman!? I mean cmon, feed us violence.

The forecast may have changed a bit, but the weather will still be destructive of violence; emotions; and pure enjoyment. Volkanovski versus Makhachev II. Chimaev versus Usman. UFC 294... RUN IT.

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