UFC News & FeaturesThe Pulse: UFC 294
While the top two fights on the card—Makhachev-Volkanovski and the Kamaru Usman-Khamzat Chimaev co-main event—carry undeniable star power, intrigue and historical significance, they are not without their issues. Volkanovski and Usman are filling in on short notice and not in their customary weight classes.
What's missing in the "UFC 294 card looks better now than it did 14 days ago" storylines is the context that no one in the top two fights has prepared for the opponent they are facing on Saturday and two of the men had no fight camp. But of course, that won't sell PPVs. #UFC294
— Trent Reinsmith (@TrentReinsmith) October 20, 2023
People are putting too much stock on 9 days notice for Volk. The game plan is there. Volk doesn’t have to change anything with the game plan. He just needs to execute the plan better. THAT’S where the struggle comes in because Islam is a monster. #UFC294 #MMATwitter
— KnockoutBets (@dfsKOmma) October 20, 2023
Volk vs Islam is such a badass fight. Two champions at the top of their careers rematching.. ON TWELVE DAYS NOTICE!!!
No matter who wins and how this what I as a fan respect the most, pure competition of the best.
We are lucky they both said yes. #UFC294 #OneMoreSleep — ToastedFlowers🔥🌸 (@FlowersToasted) October 20, 2023
SBG Ireland’s Johnny Walker faces arguably the toughest test of his career when he takes on top light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev in a three-round showcase at 205 pounds. Walker enters the cage on a three-fight winning streak but already had to avert potential disaster at his weigh-in.
Watch your step Johnny 😂@JohnnyWalker #UFC294 #MMATwitter #InAbuDhabi
— Jose Mesa Corrales (@JoseTableESPN) October 20, 2023
pic.twitter.com/1rYdUCOfrx
The weigh-in also brought some tension to the featured flyweight prelim pitting former Titan Fighting Championship titleholder Tim Elliott and the undefeated KHK MMA Team prospect Muhammad Mokaev. Elliott openly questioned whether or not Mokaev actually made the 126-pound limit for their undercard pairing.
WEIGH-IN DRAMA‼️
— FightBuzz (@Fightbuzz1) October 20, 2023
👊😳
Tim Elliott doesn’t think Muhammad Mokaev made weight for #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/ywu7IzuRuK
Sharabutdin Magomedov’s long-awaited promotional debut has drawn its share of attention, as the unbeaten Russian prepares to put his 11-0 record on the line against former M-1 Global champion Bruno Silva as part of the undercard. Magomedov has drawn some less-than-savory reviews for his extracurricular activities, but no one can argue with the in-competition results. Ten of his 11 career victories have ended with knockouts.
The long-anticipated Shara Bullet debut is finally just one day away. This dude is fierce, flashy, and violent. I don’t think it’ll take fans long to fall in love #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/fcYuwN9cuK
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) October 20, 2023
THE FUTURE➡️ Sharaputdin Magomedov #UFC294 👁️ pic.twitter.com/3MxrhdTop3
— J Cards (@Jcardamone9) October 20, 2023
Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov is one scary dude 😳#UFC294 | Saturday, 5PM | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/FGbFXH3i4d
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 20, 2023
The event has undeniable implications for multiple weight classes moving forward and could shape a significant portion of the 2024 calendar.
Sitting here realizing that #UFC294 could set up these fights in 2024;
— Eli (@degenEli) October 20, 2023
Chimaev/Strickland
Basharat/Martinez (!!!)
Walker/Hill
(Volk or Islam)/Gaethje pic.twitter.com/RmwQhwsBeM
