Still with it all to do this weekend in the Middle East, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has plans to definitely challenge for gold a division higher, following his title rematch with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294.
Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight gold holder, will return to the Octagon this weekend atop a UFC 294 card in Abu Dhabi, drawing former-foe, Volkanovski in a reshuffled event curtain closer.
Initially, the Russian grappling ace was slated to headline the Etihad Arena event against former champion and previous opponent, Charles Oliveira, however, just 10 days’ out from the clash, the Brazilian suffered a nasty laceration over his eyebrow during sparring, forcing him out of the pairing.