UFC 294: Makhachev says everything on his side for Abu Dhabi rematch with Volkanovski

After fighting, and defeating, Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year in Australia, Islam Makhachev says “everything now is on my side” as he attempts to triumph too in the rematch in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

The lightweight champion, who claimed the title in the capital 12 months ago against Charles Oliveira, puts his crown on the line against the featherweight belt-holder for the second time in eight months in the headline bout at UFC 294 at Etihad Arena on Saturday night.

Makhachev was initially slated to rematch Oliveira, however the Brazilian sustained a serious cut above his eye 24 hours before he was to fly to Abu Dhabi. To his credit, Volkanovski accepted the opportunity to replace Oliveria only 11 days out from fight night.

That said, when speaking to media on Wednesday, Makhachev questioned his new opponent's motives.

“If UFC told him, ‘Bring your [featherweight] belt and come to Abu Dhabi before 11 days’, he would never take it,” the Dagestani native said. “Because he doesn’t have any risk without his belt. He just came to make money. Everybody knows this.

“My opinion is he took this fight because of money. What does he lose if I beat him again? He has his belt and he’ll defend at the beginning of next year [in an expected title defence against Ilia Topuria]."

Makhachev, while then No 2 in the sport's pound-for-pound rankings, was victorious against No 1 and home favourite Volkanovski in February, when he took a unanimous decision at UFC 284 in Perth.

The success lifted Makhachev’s win streak to 12, while it represented Volkanovski's first defeat in 23 professional bouts.

With the initial fight keenly contested – some feel the Australian actually won – Saturday’s rematch is highly anticipated.

Yet, with