In the highly anticipated UFC 294 event on October 21, 2023, fans will witness a thrilling rematch for the undisputed lightweight title between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. Makhachev is on a mission to prove his worth after his victory against Alexander Volkanovski raised some questions. Although Volkanovski put up a great fight in their previous encounter, Makhachev emerged victorious.
Makhachev, with his impressive 24-1 MMA record and dominant wrestling skills, is undoubtedly a formidable opponent. His striking may not be his strongest suit, but he managed to drop Oliveira in their previous matchup, leading to an arm triangle submission. His list of victories includes notable names like Bobby Green, Dan Hooker, Arman Tsarukyan, and Drew Dober, among others. This bout against Oliveira is a chance for Makhachev to solidify his position at the top.
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If Makhachev manages to defeat Oliveira once again, his future in the UFC looks promising. A potential rematch with Volkanovski awaits, as does the opportunity to become a “champ champ” in the welterweight division in 2024. Additionally, a matchup against Justin Gaethje could be on the horizon.
Islam Makhachev vs Charles Oliveira 2 Preview and Prediction
On the other side, Charles Oliveira is hungry for redemption. With a 34-9-1 MMA record and a reputation as one of the most beloved fighters in the promotion, he’s no stranger to adversity. Despite early career ups and downs, Oliveira strung together an incredible 11-fight win streak, defeating elite opponents like Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and Tony Ferguson in a row, finishing all of them. Such a streak is unprecedented in UFC lightweight history.
The loss to Makhachev was a bitter pill for Oliveira and his fans to swallow, but he showed his resilience by brutally knocking out Beneil Dariush earlier in the year. If he manages to defeat Makhachev in the upcoming fight, it could set the stage for an immediate trilogy.
While a Volkanovski matchup for the lightweight belt seems less likely due to Volkanovski’s focus on Makhachev, Oliveira’s aspirations extend beyond the octagon. He’s keen on a potential bout with Conor McGregor, and in the ever-surprising world of MMA in 2023, anything is possible.
In this exciting event happening at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, MMA enthusiasts can expect an action-packed evening with a main card starting at 2 p.m. ET, and you can watch it on ESPN+ PPV. The rematch between Makhachev and Oliveira promises to be a fight for the ages, with both fighters looking to make their mark in UFC history.
