Short-Notice UFC 294 Booking
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Short-Notice UFC 294 Booking
Alexander Volkanovski was not the only fighter who accepted the offer to replace Charles Oliveira in the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 on a short-notice booking. After Oliveira pulled out due to a severe cut suffered in sparring 11 days before the fight, the UFC was left scrambling for a replacement. Volkanovski, the featherweight champion, was announced as Oliveira’s replacement the next day.
ESPN MMA on Twitter: “More than two weeks after his win at UFC 294, Islam Makhachev is now ranked number 1 pound-for-pound in the UFC 👑 pic.twitter.com/5TR15Irt7S / Twitter”
More than two weeks after his win at UFC 294, Islam Makhachev is now ranked number 1 pound-for-pound in the UFC 👑 pic.twitter.com/5TR15Irt7S
However, former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier claims he also received a call from UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell asking if he could make weight on short notice at around the same time. Poirier agreed to the offer but did not receive a callback, as he believes the UFC was waiting on Volkanovski to commit. Poirier spoke about this recently to MMA Fighting.
Poirier Not First Choice
After returning to his condo and unpacking his bags, the phone rings. Hunter is on the other end, and the person answering is full of energy from Celsius. Hunter asked about weight, and the answer was positive, with the person saying they could make weight in 11 days. Hunter then asked for one day to think about it, but there was no follow-up the next day. The person contacted Hunter again to confirm their commitment, but Hunter didn’t say “You’re the guy.”
Dustin Poirier, currently ranked third in the lightweight division, is coming off a Round 2 knockout loss against Justin Gaethje in July at UFC 291. The 34-year-old has won one out of his last three fights, which include a failed title bid against Oliveira followed by a submission victory over Michael Chandler in an iconic battle last November at UFC 281.