In new previously unseen footage, former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira saw the chance to rematch Islam Makhachev for divisional gold whisked away due to injury, with the promotion hoping to fill a Jon Jones-shaped void last November in the main event of in Madison Square Garden.
Oliveira, the current number two ranked lightweight contender, most recently featured at UFC 300 back in April, suffering a controversial split decision defeat to streaking number one contender, Arman Tsarukyan in the pair’s championship eliminator.
Ruled from a return back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, Oliveira was set to headline UFC 294 in a rematch with pound-for-pound number one, Makhachev, until a nasty laceration over his right eyebrow ruled the Sao Paulo native from the re-run.