UFC 294 has a new main event on just 11 days notice.
Charles Oliveira was set to meet Islam Makhachev in a rematch for the lightweight title in Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately for “Do Bronx,” an injury has forced him out of the contest. As a result, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will step up on short notice for his own rematch against Makhachev as the new marquee bout of the pay-per-view event.
Naturally, when the MMA community is hit with major news, there’s a big reaction on social media, including former UFC superstar Nate Diaz, who took shots at Oliveira for pulling out of the fight.
Scroll below to see the reactions to the massive UFC 294 news.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.
UFC
THIS IS NOT A DRILL 😱
Charles Oliveira is out of next Saturday's #UFC294 main event, @AlexVolkanovski is replacing in a rematch for the Lightweight title with @MakhachevMMA
[ @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/zR3Nlqzl7P
— UFC (@ufc) October 11, 2023
Mike Bohn
Volkanovski is the definition of a fighter. What a move on 11 days’ notice. Pulling this off would score epic GOAT points.
And props to Makhachev, who will get minimal credit for beating a short-notice Volkanovski and if he loses, will have his first win further doubted. https://t.co/w4HO0rhpC8
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) October 11, 2023
Nolan King
Charles Oliveira is indeed out, per Dana White. Alexander Volkanovski steps up to rematch Islam Makhachev. MMA is crazy. #UFC294
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) October 11, 2023
Matthew Wells
Major news from UFC tonight.
We still get a rematch in Abu Dhabi for the lightweight title, but a different one. https://t.co/7TgBR3lcjQ
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) October 11, 2023
Dana White
Dana breaks down how we got to @MakhachevMMA vs @AlexVolkanovski 2 at #UFC294 next week!
[ @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/Yd8hrdTZPW
— UFC (@ufc) October 11, 2023
UFC AUSNZ
Our office right now…
❌ OLIVEIRA OUT ✅ VOLK IN! #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/mPJuWQB0pP
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) October 11, 2023
Ariel Helwani
Been a while since we had a crazy PPV card shakeup like this at the (close to) 11th hour.
Feel for Oliveira. Horrible luck. But Islam x Volk 2 is an incredible alternative for the UFC. Credit to both men for accepting on such short notice.
And now we wait on the fate of…
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 11, 2023
Marc Raimondi
Can we talk about the brass ones on Volkanovski? My goodness. Going up a weight again on 11 days notice to fight a monster in Islam Makhachev. Unreal.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) October 11, 2023
Chamatkar Sandhu
Feel for Charles. Wish him a speedy recovery.
Volk a legend for accepting on 11 days notice.
Islam a G for agreeing to the rematch too.
Gamrot must be pissed.
This sport man. Nothing like it. pic.twitter.com/6bpB7m35Mg
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) October 11, 2023
Oscar Willis
Since we're getting the rematch in 11 days: Here's Alex Volkanovski screaming at Islam and punch him for the last minute of their fourth round. pic.twitter.com/6oZFtsxKfr
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) October 11, 2023
Nate Diaz
Crotch injury just like Dustin porier 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/Trn0DwvCyx
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 11, 2023
Hyon Ko
Volk really chasing after GOAT/legend status. How could you not love @alexvolkanovski #ufc294
— Hyon Ko (@KoreanJohn_) October 11, 2023
Aaron Bronsteter
Something to watch is how the Islam/Volk fight impacts UFC 297, expected to be held in Toronto, which was reportedly going to be headlined by Volkanovski vs. Topuria.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) October 11, 2023
Alan Jouban
Volk is a gangsta!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) October 11, 2023
Mike Malott
“Charles is out, Volk is in”
“No seriously, Volk is in” #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/X7F2coF8Za
— Proper. Mike Malott (@Michael_Malott) October 11, 2023
Casey O'Neill
https://t.co/n2INCRcs3q pic.twitter.com/c5jnCwoxoc
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) October 11, 2023
Chase Hooper
Probably the guy with the best chance of beating Islam, and the first fight was a banger so I’m all in for it 🔥🔥 https://t.co/lvQ2H6nsmm
— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) October 11, 2023
Jasmine Jasudavicius
https://t.co/IXeJibGWYD pic.twitter.com/td4vrHduvX
— Jasmine Jasudavicius (@JasJasudavicius) October 11, 2023
Josh Thomson
🤷🏼♂️ sometimes I hate being right https://t.co/AGJ4CT7sDU
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) October 11, 2023
Jose Youngs
#UFC294 pic.twitter.com/PjFNKzKqEb
— José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) October 11, 2023
Michael Bisping
Massive respect to @alexvolkanovski for stepping up on super short notice against Islam. Respect to @MAKHACHEVMMA also for accepting a dangerous stylistic change. What a story and what a sport!
— michael (@bisping) October 11, 2023
Eric Jackman
*whispers* Ilia vs. Max
— Eric Jackman (@NewYorkRic) October 11, 2023
Chad Dundas
When you find out Chucky Olives is out but then you find out Volk is in pic.twitter.com/4m6sb1M6c8
— Chad Dundas (@chaddundas) October 11, 2023
Dustin Poirier
Yes, they did call and I did say yes https://t.co/5hWT29Nb4u
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 11, 2023
