Islam Makhachev-Charles Oliveira 2, Khamzat Chimaev return set for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi

A rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira will headline the UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi in October, with Khamzat Chimaev also confirmed on Thursday for the much-anticipated card.

In a video on social media, UFC president Dana White announced three bouts for UFC 294 at Etihad Arena on October 21, with Makhachev’s lightweight title defence against former champion Oliveira at the top of the bill.

Chimaev, one of the promotion’s marquee names, will take on Paulo Costa at middleweight, marking his return to the octagon for the first time in more than a year, while Nassourdine Imavov faces Ikram Aliskerov in another 185lb clash.

Makhachev’s defence against Oliveira mirrors the headline fight at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi last October, when the Dagestan native defeated his Brazilian opponent by second-round submission to capture the lightweight belt for the first time. It represented Oliveira’s first defeat in 12 fights.

Makhachev, currently 24-1 as a professional, then successfully defended his belt against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 in Perth in February, lifting his win streak to 12.

Abu Dhabi we're back and we're bringing a STACKED card with us!!@DanaWhite just announced the first three fights for #UFC294 in October