UFC 294 as it happened: Islam Makhachev ends Alexander Volkanovski bout with first-round KO

It was a quicker main card than usual but you can’t complain with the dramatic knockouts we saw. Until the next time…

“Dana, you have a job to do!”

Volkanovski’s guard was in place but could not stop a picture-perfect head kick.

A huge left head kick put Volkanovski down and after a few unprotected shots to the head the referee jumped in. A huge end to this rivalry.

The first fight was a classic, can this live up to it and will the champion see his hand raised again?

Makhachev is on his way to the Octagon.

Featherweigt champ Volkanovski makes his way to the Octagon. Fans around the world wanted this rematch and we are moments away from it.

He won the fight 29-27 on two cards with the other being a 28-28 draw.

Usman landing beautiful straight shots and making Chimaev back off. He also staved off a takedown, but Chimaev locked another in just after the midway point of the round. They get up for the final 30 seconds and end the bout swinging. A really good fight. Dana White says a well-deserved “Thank You” to Usman for taking the bout at short notice and making it such a competitive fight.

His striking was the better during the round, but Chimaev got another takedown in the last minute though he didn’t come close to closing the show.

The former champ did well to stay in there, blocking choke attempts. The big moment was when Usman got to his feet with his opponent on his back and then go down to the floor knowing he was close to having a choke locked on him.

As Bruce Buffer was doing what only he does, both fighters were exchanging words.

Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev are moments away from going at it, with the former a win away from a shot at the UFC middleweight crown if he can beat the former welterweight champ.

What a letdown but the right call it seems, the doctor asked Walker where he was and what round it was and he couldn’t answer.

Ankalaev landed a knee to the head on Walker when he was held against the Octagon and Walker was given time to recover and see the doctor. After speaking to the fighter, the doctor told the referee to call off the bout. Both fighters want to continue the fight and are being held back… Dana White comes in and settles both fighters down.

The #2 ranked Russian (18-1-1) takes on the seventh-ranked fighter from Brazil (21-7).

Next up we have Magomed Ankalaev taking on Johnny Walker in the Light Heavyweight division.

After a patient first two minutes he put the Brazilian down with a jab then as his man backed against the Octagon landed with a flying knee before unleashing a combination which forced the referee to dive in.

Ikram Aliskerov takes on Brazilian Warlley Alves.

How will Alves look up at 185lbs? He says he will be more comfortable. We know Aliskerov can bang…

He locked a guillotine on Gafurov who tapped on the blind side of the referee. Nurmagomedov released the hold before the referee waved it off.

Said Nurmagomedov takes on Muin Gafurov as the main card kicks off.

Muhammad Mokaev remains undefeated and makes himself a flyweight contender after making Tim Elliott tap.

Thanks for joining our coverage of the main card of UFC 294 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Main Event – Lightweight Title Bout: Islam Makhachev v Alexander Volkanovski

Co-Main Event – Middleweight Bout: Kamaru Usman v Khamzat Chimaev

Light Heavyweight Bout: Magomed Ankalaev v Johnny Walker

Middleweight Bout: Ikram Aliskerov v Warlley Alves

Bantamweight Bout: Said Nurmagomedov v Muin Gafurov