Matches to Make After UFC 294

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to Abu Dhabi for its latest pay-per-view, with the match quality as high as it's been for any of their cards all year.

The main event was a dynamite rematch between undisputed UFC lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev and featherweight monarch Alexander Volkanovski. Makhachev was originally scheduled to defend his title in another rematch against former champion Charles Oliveira, but when the Brazilian bowed out due to injury a few weeks ago, Volkanovski was brought in on short notice. Makhachev was a sterling 24-1 in his career, not having lost since 2015, and recording 12 straight wins since then. Volkanovski was an exceptional 26-2, with a nearly 10-year, 22-fight winning streak snapped when he lost his historic title bid against Makhachev. The lightweight champ hadn't fought since that victory, while Volkanovski found an opportunity to face interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez, demolishing him with ground-and-pound before the fight was waived off late in Round 3. Their rematch was far different. Makhachev scored a gorgeous right head kick that hurt Volkanovski, and then finished him off with punches. The entire fight took just 3:06.

The co-main was an outstanding 185-pound title-eliminator showdown in its own right, with one of the greatest welterweight champions ever, Kamaru Usman, involved in a non-title bout for the first time in many years as he faced spectacular undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight. Usman's incredible 9-year, 19-fight winning streak, which included winning the UFC welterweight crown from Tyron Woodley in early 2019 and successfully defending it five straight times was snapped with back-to-back losses against current king Leon Edwards. Chimaev, meanwhile, was undefeated at 12-0 overall and 6-0 in the UFC, with his decision victory over former title challenger Gilbert Burns being the only close match of his career, and for that matter, the only time he didn't finish a foe. He had most recently submitted Kevin Holland in just over 2 minutes in September of last year. A lot was against Usman, fighting at 185 pounds and having only 2 weeks' notice, which was evident in an opening round in which Chimaev dominated, taking him down, achieving dominant positions, threatening with several RNC attempts and inflicting heavy ground-and-pound. However, Chimaev didn't have as much energy to grapple in the next two stanzas, and Usman landed some big right crosses on the feet. However, thanks to a timely takedown halfway through Round 3, a round that Usman was clearly winning, he likely secured himself a win. Chimaev took the majority decision by scores of 29-27 twice and 28-28. With the win, Chimaev has secured a crack at Sean Strickland’s 185-pound title.

Here are several scintillating fights that can be booked after UFC 294:

Islam Makhachev vs. Justin Gaethje

Gaethje was billed to face the winner of the PPV's headliner, and it makes the most sense. Makhachev has already fought and demolished Oliveira, and given that his striking is only improving, the Brazilian has even less chance in a rematch. With Gaethje, he at least has a big advantage in the striking, and given his All-American wrestling credentials, better chances of stopping the takedown than any other possible contender. Gaethje's defensive grappling still wasn't enough to stop submission defeats against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Oliveira, but it might be good enough to give him a chance on the feet. And at the present moment, that's the best that any lightweight contender can hope for against Makhachev.

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker

I for one would love to see this fight again, only to completion. Amusingly, this isn't the first time that Ankalaev has had an immediate rematch after a fight was stopped due to dubious circumstances. In February 2020 he fought Ion Cutelaba and the bout was halted prematurely after just 38 seconds, a huge mistake by the normally excellent referee Kevin MacDonald. They rematched in October of that same year, with Ankalaev winning via an emphatic, controversy-free knockout in a little over 4 minutes. Will that trend repeat itself against Walker? Ankalaev was certainly beating him and looked to have the upper hand, but one can never count out the endlessly dangerous Brazilian.

Muhammad Mokaev vs. Alex Perez

Mokaev just tapped No. 10 Tim Elliott, but it was a competitive fight before then and there is a big disparity between Elliott and the best flyweights in the world. Furthermore, at 23, there is no rush for Mokaev. Thus, I would like to see him face current No. 7 Perez, a well-rounded fighter who has challenged for the flyweight crown, Perez may have the upper hand in the striking and has solid grappling chops. Perez has lost his last two outings by submission in 91 seconds and 117 seconds respectively, but this occurred against champions in Deiveson Figueiredo and Alexandre Pantoja. Is Mokaev in that same class of grappling to tap him, too? It would be a terrific test and may well lead to another exciting fight with a highlight finish. And even if Mokaev fails, he is still only 23 and has plenty of time to rebuild, while a win would revitalize Perez's career.