There has only been a handful of champion versus champion matchups in the UFC and we’re in for another this weekend as Lightweight champ Islam Makhachev faces featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski.
Main Event
Islam Makhachev 38/100 | Alexander Volkanovski 18/10
In February of this year, the UFC headed to Australia to host UFC 284: Makhachev vs Volkanovski and just a few months later a delicious rematch ensues. With just under two weeks to the originally scheduled UFC 294 card (Islam Makhachev versus Charles Oliveira II), some massive changes took place.
Alexander Volkanovski (26-2), the featherweight king, steps up a weight class for a second time to take on Islam Makhachev (24-1), the lightweight champion, in a bid for the 155-pound title.
Although Volkanovski’s efforts were valiant, he fell short, making Makhachev work for the victory, pushing the Dagestan athlete to his limits in the gruelling five-round main event.
The first clash marked the sixth instance in UFC history where champions faced off inside the octagon. Makhachev entered the bout riding an impressive 11-fight win streak, having previously defeated former champion Charles Oliveira, and “Alexander The Great,” also had a lengthy win streak under his belt – 22 on the trot.
The matchup lived up to the hype, and Volkanovski asked many questions of the physically bigger man in all aspects of MMA, but at the end of the day, Makhachev found favour on the judges’ scorecards after five rounds unanimously – of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46.
Makhachev has been patiently waiting for his next challenger since finding victory in February, while the 35-year-old Volkanovski returned to his featherweight division and put on a masterclass against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in July to further establish his hold on the division.
Verdict: Islam Makhachev Win 38/100
Honestly, this is a more fascinating bout than the first as Volkanovski has proven to the world he possibly has what it takes to become a double champ, while Makhachev is now fully aware of what he’s going to be dealing with when they meet for a second time.
Volkanovski’s willingness to take a massive fight, with this much on the line, on less than two weeks’ notice speaks to the Aussie’s outstanding mentality, work ethic, and self-belief, but the lightweight champion deserves a tip of the hat for welcoming a rematch under tough circumstances.
The short notice is difficult a challenge for both fighters, but Volkanovski will not have a full training camp under his belt the way that Islam does, and that will be all the difference if the Aussie is unable to keep up with an unwavering pace.
Co-Main Event
Kamaru Usman 9/4 | Khamzat Chimaev 39/100
The co-main event features one of the most interesting match-ups of the year as undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (12-0) makes his middleweight return against the former welterweight king, Kamaru Usman (20-3). So much is on the line after the announcement from UFC CEO Dana White confirming the winner will be receiving the next shot at Sean Strickland’s newly minted middleweight strap.
Just like the main event, a late notice change for Khamzat took place. The 29-year-old was set to make his middleweight return at UFC 294 against No. 6 ranked Paulo Costa until a staph infection ruled Costa out of the fight. High and dry, former UFC welterweight champion Usman, who some consider the greatest welterweight of all time, stepped up to the plate to accept on nine days’ notice.
36-year-old Usman is coming off his second consecutive loss to welterweight champion, Leon Edwards. “The Nigerian Nightmare” reigned over the welterweight division for nearly four years after winning the title by defeating Tyron Woodley. He made multiple title defences over Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, and Gilbert Burns having earned him the title as one of the greatest welterweights of all time.
His reign ended when he was defeated at UFC 278 by Leon Edwards who won by a vicious head kick late in round 5. Usman would go on to lose the subsequent rematch at UFC 286 earlier this year in London.
For Chimaev, this will be his first UFC bout in 2023. Chimaev’s run inside the octagon so far has been nothing short of outstanding. After dismantling the likes of Rhys McKee, Gerald Meerschaert, and Li Jingliang, he would go on to secure a unanimous decision win against former title challenger and No. 3 ranked welterweight Gilbert Burns, back at UFC 273. The Russian-born fighter’s last outing came against UFC welterweight and fan favourite Kevin Holland back at
UFC 279 in September 2022. After missing the 170 pounds weight limit for his original opponent Nate Diaz, and his fight with Holland moving to a catch weight, It was announced that this would be Chimaev’s last fight in the UFC’s welterweight division as he would be making his way to middleweight – as we wait for his debut this weekend.
Verdict: Khamzat Chimaev Win 39/100
Considering a lot of the factors, Chimaev should have a slight edge in this bout. Usman’s experience, championship mentality, and overall skillset cannot be overlooked in every exchange, but just like the main event, the short notice falls in favour of the well-prepared fighter.
Chimaev’s lack of consistent experience with high-quality opponents in his short career does cross the mind, but “Borz” unrelenting fight style and possible energy at middleweight should be all the difference.
Top Treble for UFC 294:
IslamMakhachev Win 38/100
Khamzat Chimaev Win 29/100
Mohammad Yahya Win 5/4
Treble to win at 3/1
Full Card Predictions
Main Card: 20:00 CAT, Saturday 21 October
- Lightweight (C): Islam Makhachev (38/100) vs Alexander Volkanovski (18/10): Makhachev
- Middleweight: Kamaru Usman (9/4) vs Khamzat Chimaev (29/100): Chimaev
- Light Heavyweight: Magomed Ankalaev (26/100) vs Johnny Walker (5/2): Ankalaev
- Middleweight: Ikram Aliskerov (2/13) vs Warlley Alves (38/10): Aliskerov
- Bantamweight: Said Nurmagomedov (41/100) vs Muin Gafurov (17/10): Nurmagomedov
Prelims: 16:00 CAT, Saturday 21 October
- Flyweight: Tim Elliott (29/10) vs Muhammad Mokaev (21/100): Mokaev
- Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (5/4) vs Trevor Peek (56/100): Yahya
- Bantamweight: Javid Basharat (1/6) vs Victor Henry (7/2): Basharat
- Middleweight: Abu Azaitar (18/10) vs Sedriques Dumas (39/100): Dumas
- Lightweight: Mike Breeden (2/1) vs Anshul Jubli (1/3): Jubli
- Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood (2/7) vs Muhammad Naimov (47/20): Wood
- (w) Strawweight: Victoria Dudakova (17/100) vs Jinh Yu Frey (7/2): Dudakova
- Middleweight: Sharabutdin Magomedov (43/100) vs Bruno Silva (16/10): Magomedov
