The UFC 294 fight card which was recently changed now holds a more diverse and entertaining fight between Islam Makhachev (24-1) and Alexander Volkanovski (26-2) in the main event. Khamzat Chimaev (12-0) and Kamaru Usman (20-3) will be fighting in the co-main, aiming for the title shot in the middleweight division. Volkanovski will be fighting for the lightweight title once again, while Usman has moved up in the weight class; from welterweight to middleweight.
UFC President Dana White made these last-minute decisions after Charles Oliveira the original lightweight title contender had to pull out due to an injury suffered during training. Paulo Costa was forced to make the exit from the card due to his elbow surgery and infection.
The fight is taking place this weekend in the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The main fight card will also consist of Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker, Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves, and Said Nurmagomedov vs. Muin Gafurov. The fight card is expected to be one of the most brilliantly assembled last-minute cards in the organization.
Which song will Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski use at UFC 294?
The lightweight champion was initially set to fight Charles Oliveira but that changed after the latter suffered an incision above his eyebrow. Makhachev (24-1) usually likes to take his culture with him whenever he fights, this also includes the songs he walks out to. He has previously used the song ‘Lezginka’, a popular dance song from the Caucuses which includes a fast rhythm.
Besides this song, Makhachev has also used a popular Arabic song ‘Ghaltana’ by Saad Lamjarred which has a pop and rock fusion to it. He used this song once and it was during his fight against Davi Ramos at UFC 242. No one realized that Islam Makhachev was a huge rap & hip-hop fan until he came walking out to ‘Intro’ by DMX in UFC 220.
Meanwhile, Alexander Volkanovski (26-2) is trying to go for the double champ status in the UFC. He fought Makhachev earlier this year but lost the fight. This opportunity to go head-to-head with the Dagestani again within the same year will be his chance to redeem himself. After becoming champion in the featherweight division, the Australian has always tried to represent his country by using the classic ‘Land Down Under’ by Men at Work as his walkout song.
Which song will Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman use at UFC 294?
The middleweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev (12-0) has a really energetic walkout for his fights, where instead of walking he runs. In his fight against Gilbert Burns in UFC 273, Khamzat walked out to ‘Timur Mutsurayev’ by Tu Noch Kogda. A Chechen singer whose songs are seen as a message to the Chechen freedom struggle. “Borz” which means wolf is beautifully represented in this song.
The former welterweight champion has decided to move up the weight class after two unsuccessful attempts at reclaiming his title. Kamaru Usman (20-3) has walked out to a remix of ‘Try Jesus’ by Tobe Nwigwe and ‘Big League’ by Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo, Lil Poppa & Mozzy in UFC 278. His most outstanding walkout was during his UFC 286 against Colby Covington when he used ‘Yaba Buluku’ by Dj Tariko & Burna Boy. Usman is deeply influenced by hip-hop artists from his hometown Nigeria.
What songs will Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker use at UFC 294?
The Dagestani light heavyweight fighter with a record of 18-1 is ready to step into the octagon on October 21. Throughout his fights, Magomed has walked out to ‘Dance Legend’ by Erisioni. Despite being Russian he walkouts to this Georgian classic, displaying brotherhood and love for the culture.
His opponent Johnny Walker (21-7), on the other hand, tries to embrace his culture by incorporating a song that was ranked as top 5 Brazilian songs into his walkout. He uses, Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes featuring the Black Eyed Peas. The song brings out the dancer within Walker as he starts showing off his dance moves.
Which songs will Ikram Aliskerov and Warlley Alves use at UFC 294?
The Russian Ikram Aliskerov has a record of 14-1 and his face-off against Warlley Alves is long awaited. He won his UFC debut against Phil Hawes via knockout in the first round. Although he does not use any particular song during his walkout, it would be interesting to see the songs he decides to use while walking out to this fight.
UFC 294 fight week! Rate this main card from 1-10.🔥#UFC294 pic.twitter.com/Z9MMf1LJ50
— DiaztwinsMMA (@DiaztwinsMMA) October 16, 2023
Meanwhile, Warlley Alves (15-6) is a Brazilian fighter who has won two performances of the night. He has been with the organization for almost a decade. In UFC 283 fighting against Nicolas Darby, he walked out to ‘Coming in Hot’ by Andy Mineo and Lecrae. Back in 2014, Alves vs. Jouban, he walked out to ‘Crazy’ by D-Road.
Which song will Said Nurmagomedov and Muin Gafurov use at UFC 294?
Also being from Dagestan, Said Nurmagomedov (17-3) also loves representing his culture everywhere. This bantamweight fighter will walk out to ‘Lezginka’ by Djigitovka. This has been a staple for fighters coming out of Dagestan.
His opponent the Tajikistani has earned his way to the UFC, this being his second fight in the organization. Representing his country and culture, Muin Gafurov previously walked out to ‘Ariaee’ by Maryam Jalali a singer from Tajikistan.With so many upcoming fighters being on the main card, it would be a highly anticipated event. The organization has set to bring two more major events before the year comes to an end.
