The weigh-ins for the UFC 294 lightweight title fight to determine the best in the UFC’s lightweight division have been completed.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (31, Russia) and challenger Alexander Volkanovski (35, Australia) weighed in for UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Nov. 20.
Makatchev tipped the scales at exactly 70.3 kilograms, while the challenger came in at 70 kilograms.
The two champions will meet for the lightweight championship belt in a five-round bout in the main event of the event on April 22 at the same venue.
After the weigh-in, the challenger Volkanovski said, “I feel great. I’m going to put on a fantastic performance tomorrow. We had one of the best fights in history last February. Now on to the sixth round,” and shouted “and new” (new champion).
“Abu Dhabi, it’s great to see you again,” said the champion Makachev. I will give my best performance tomorrow.” The UAE, a Muslim country, is a de facto home for Makachev, who is a practicing Muslim.
It’s an eight-month rematch. In their first meeting at UFC 284 in February, Makachev won a close unanimous decision. The fight between the then No. 1 (Volkanovski) and No. 2 (Makachev) in the combined pound-for-pound rankings was hailed as the pinnacle of modern mixed martial arts (MMA).
This rematch came without warning. The original challenger, former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira (34, Brazil), pulled out of the fight due to injury, and Volkanovski stepped in as a replacement just 12 days before the event. He had little time to train against the champion.
“He’s just out to make money,” Makachev criticized Volkanovski at a press conference on the 21st.
Volkanovski responded, “I only had 12 days to prepare, but that’s okay. I’ve accepted it and I’m ready to play a great game,” he said, adding, “I’m going to avenge my defeat. I’m going to avenge the defeat.” Volkanovski responded, “The last defeat was bitter.
Both fighters will be looking for a finish. “Last time I won four out of five rounds, but this time everything will be different,” Makachev said, “I want to finish him and I want to finish him. I want to finish him, and I want to end all the controversy surrounding this fight.” 스포츠토토
Volkanovski, who has had less time to prepare, is also looking for a finish rather than a protracted battle. “It’s going to be a firefight. It’s no secret that I’m going for the finish, and Makachev knows it,” he said, loudly proclaiming, “I’m not going to show him that much respect this time.”
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