UFC 294: Volkanovski vs Makhachev gamble shows the best and worst of the promotion

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. God wouldn’t give me something that I can’t carry.” Oliveira will lean all of his weight on that sentiment in the weeks to come, while 145lbs champion Volkanovski will be leaning his own weight – plus an extra 10lbs – on Makhachev in their second clash in eight months. open image in gallery Oliveira was ruled out of UFC 294 after sustaining a nasty cut open image in gallery Volkanovski knocked down Makhachev in their first clash and was on top at the end of the bout Volkanovski even knocked down Makhachev and finished the fight on top, denting the Dagestani’s daunting reputation. Instead, Volkanovski will bring his well-rounded game to the Etihad Arena, where he weighed in as a back-up fighter for Oliveira’s defeat by Makhachev one year ago. Make no mistake: Although Volkanovski is one of the most-respected fighters in the UFC and is being heralded as a hero right now, he would have had his detractors if he had turned down this fight – even on 11 days’ notice.