After injury forced Charles Oliveira to withdraw from the event, Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski are reunited in the Octagon to fight for the Russian's UFC lightweight championship belt at UFC 294.

Alexander Volkanovski has been announced as late replacement to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 after the scheduled challenger, Charles Oliveira, was forced to pull out of the fight with an injury.

Former lightweight champion Oliveira had been scheduled to face current champion Makhachev in a rematch of their previous battle at UFC 280 in October last year, but during sparring the Brazilian challenger suffered a deep cut which has forced his withdrawal from the event.

Reigning featherweight champion Volkanovski has stepped in as a late replacement, as he seeks revenge on Makhachev following his controversial loss to the Dagestani champion at UFC 284 in February.

There has been another late change on the undercard as Paulo Costa has withdrawn from his middleweight clash against Khamzat Chimaev with an elbow problem.

Kamaru Usman has stepped in as a late replacement, his first appearance since losing his welterweight title back in March at UFC 286.

Makhachev v Volkanovski 2 Date

The pair's much-anticipated rematch takes place on Saturday 21st October 2023.

Makhachev v Volkanovski 2 Time

Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski are set to head to the Octagon at 19:00.

Makhachev v Volkanovski 2 Venue & Location

Islam Makhachev v Alexander Volkanovski 2 is scheduled to take place at the Etihad Arena, which is situated on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

It was opened in 2021 and is nicknamed 'Fight Island'.

The venue's capacity is 18,000 and has also hosted UFC 257: Poirier vs McGregor, UFC 267: Blachowicz vs Teixeira and UFC 280 where Makhachev beat Oliveira to claim the lightweight title.

How to Watch Makhachev v Volkanovski 2

UK viewers can watch the pair's return bout on TNT Sports. Those who miss the fight can re-watch on TNT Sports' streaming service and discovery+.

Makhachev v Volkanovski 2 Odds

Makhachev is the 4/9 favourite to back up his original victory, with Volkanovski 15/8 to get revenge.

Are there any belts on the line for Makhachev v Volkanovski 2?

The pair will fight for Makhachev's UFC lightweight title. 

He picked up the strap after the beating Oliveira at UFC 280, the Brazilian was stripped of the prize after failing to make weight ahead of his fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. 

Islam Makhachev's Record

Makhachev is 24-1 in MMA, with his sole defeat coming in his second fight in the UFC when Adriano Martins knocked him out at UFC 192.

He has since won 12 in a row, winning the UFC lightweight championship against Oliveira last year and made his first and so far only defence when beating Volkanovski.

Makhachev has fought three times in Abu Dhabi and has a perfect record, having also triumphed against Davi Ramos and Dan Hooker.

Alexander Volkanovski's record

Alexander 'The Great' Volkanovski has 26 wins from 28 fights in MMA. He also has one win in Boxing from his sole bout in that sport.

The Australian's second defeat came at the hands of his next opponent Makhachev when the pair fought at UFC 284 in February 2023.

His first defeat came way back in 2013 during his AFC (Australian Fighting Championship) days, when he was stopped in the third round against compatriot Corey Nelson.

Before his defeat to Makhachev, Volkanovski was unbeaten in 12 UFC fights, many MMA fans also believe he did enough to claim victory against the Russian in their first controversial clash.

Makhachev v Volkanovski 2 Undercard

Main Card

• Kamaru Usman v Khamzat Chimaev (Middleweight)
• Magomed Ankalaev v Johnny Walker (Light Heavyweight)
• Nassourdine Imavov v Ikram Aliskerov (Middleweight)
• Said Nurmagomedov v Muin Gafurov (Bantamweight)

Prelims

• Tim Elliott v Muhammad Mokaev (Flyweight)
• Mohammad Yahya v Trevor Peek (Lightweight)
• Abu Azaitar v Sedriques Dumas (Middleweight)
• Mike Breeden v Anshul Jubli (Lightweight)
• Nathaniel Wood v Muhammad Naimov (Featherweight)
• Viktoriia Dudakova v Jinh Yu Frey (Women's Strawweight)
• Shara Magomedov v Bruno Silva (Middleweight)

UFC Weight Classes and Current Champions