Makhachev vows to give best shot against Volkanovski, Yahya ready to make history

Islam Makhachev, the lightweight champion, has promised to put on his greatest performance to date when he faces Alexander Volkanovski on Saturday at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi in the highly awaited main event rematch.

Makhachev claimed the title with a second-round submission win over Charles Oliveira last October in Abu Dhabi, running through the Brazilian in alarmingly swift and dominant fashion. Following the bout, he called out Volkanovski, agreeing to face the Australian on his home turf in Perth in February.

The two engaged in arguably the best fight of the year at UFC 284, with Makhachev retaining his title in an ultra-competitive fight.

When the two battle at Etihad Arena, the Dagestani, on a 12-bout winning streak, defends his title against the reigning featherweight champion for the second time in eight months.

The two pound-for-pound greats successfully made weight on Friday morning in Abu Dhabi at UFC 294’s official weigh-ins. Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, tipped the scales at 155 pounds, while UFC featherweight champion Volkanovski came in a half-pound lighter, weighing 154.5 pounds for his second attempt at champ-champ status.

Makhachev said: “Abu Dhabi, good to see you again. Tomorrow, I will show you my best performance. Thank you all you guys, because I know you all support me.”

Volkanovski stepped into UFC 294’s main event as a replacement for Charles Oliveira on less than two weeks’ notice after Oliveira suffered a nasty cut above his right eye.

Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman steps up a division and steps in on short notice, replacing Paulo Costa in a tantalizing clash with undefeated standout Khamzat Chimaev in co-main event.

Usman weighed in at 184.5 pounds for his middleweight debut against Chimaev (185.5).

After winning his first 15 consecutive appearances inside the Octagon, Usman ventures to Abu Dhabi and the middleweight ranks on a two-fight slide, having lost consecutive contests to current champ Leon Edwards.

He’s talked about moving up in weight and his desire to face Chimaev many times in the past, so it will be interesting to see if he was preparing for an opportunity like this to potentially present itself and what he brings to the table in the 185-pound weight class.

Usman is one of the most dominant champions the UFC has ever seen. The 36-year-old Nigerian was king of the 170lbs division from March 2019 to November 2021 taking on the very best the division had to offer.

A professional for more than a decade, Usman holds a 20-3 record and will be testing himself at middleweight for the first time in his illustrious career. A winner of The Ultimate Fighter, Usman and his heavyweight sibling Mohammed became the first brothers to both fight in the UFC. An icon in and out of the Octagon, Usman also had a guest role in the hit movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Meanwhile, history will be made at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island as Mohammad Yahya becomes the first Emirati to enter the Octagon to face America’s Trevor Peek.

Yahya has been a professional fighter since 2014 and now gets his chance on the biggest stage in the world.  

Yahya, a UAE Warriors Arabian champion at lightweight, signed with the UFC only last month.

Boasting a 12-3 record overall and riding a five-fight winning streak, Yahya has made his last eight appearances under the UAE Warriors banner, posting a 7-1 record with six finishes during that stretch.

“I’m very proud to represent my country in the biggest league,” he said.

“It’s always been a dream and I’m here now, so I’m ready to represent.

“I always thought I’d get the opportunity, and I feel the opportunity is up to God. All I did was stay ready. And, when it does come, I need to be 100 per cent ready, and that’s where I am now.”