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UFC 294 will feature a highly anticipated rematch between UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and challenger Charles Oliveira. The two will face off in Abu Dhabi, the same venue where Makhachev defeated Oliveira by second-round submission to claim the vacant title last year.
Oliveira, who hails from Brazil, has expressed his frustration with having to fight Makhachev in his home turf again. He believes that the Russian fighter has an unfair advantage in front of his loyal fans.
However, Makhachev has dismissed Oliveira’s grievances as nonsensical. He revealed on X that he had requested to fight in the US in the summer, but the UFC had other plans for him. He also pointed out that he had fought in Australia, the home country of his previous opponent, without any complaints.
“Charles, I asked to fight in US in the summer, but UFC has other plans,” Makhachev wrote on X. “I am a UFC fighter like you, never set the conditions for the UFC and fought where they offered, my last fight took place in Australia at the challenger’s [backyard], simple, everything you say makes no sense.”
Makhachev also explained that he had been waiting for a long time to defend his title, as the UFC had reserved him for the Abu Dhabi card. He said that he was eager to fight in the summer, but the promotion had other ideas.