The occasion will certainly mark the last of the current five-year offer between the UFC as well as the UAE funding.

There will likely be one more partnership announced before a clenched fist is thrown in rage at the Etihad Arena, but just like the previous sold-out programs it is expected UFC 294 will certainly be just one of the most talked-about cards of the year.

Up until now, no main bouts have actually been revealed, yet there will definitely be a title battle or more. Right here are some most likely circumstances that will shape the most up to date Abu Dhabi showdown.

Islam Makhachev to defend his lightweight title

The Dagestani has happy memories of dealing with in Abu Dhabi. At UFC 280 he grabbed the light-weight championship from Charles Oliveira with a leading display that had the Etihad Arena crowd on their feet.

Comparable to Khabib Nurmagomedov before him, Islam Makhachev commands a huge following in the UAE, and also it will be not a surprise to see him covering the expense at UFC 294.

There is currently no natural opposition from the lightweight division that makes good sense. Oliveira (rated No. 1) is handling Beneil Dariush (No. 4) on May 5, while Dustin Poirier (No. 2), as well as Justin Gaethje (No. 3), do not currently have actually a fight reserved.

The most likely choice is to book one more extreme battle in between Makhachev as well as the present featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski. Makhachev may have gotten an unanimous choice triumph over the Australian back in February, however, the fight was his toughest test to date. Makhachev versus Volkanovski sequel would be a deserving headlining spell. Yet there could be a surprise in the mix for Makhachev. A lot more on that to come.

Khamzat Chimaev ultimately obtains a battle

For numerous factors, the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev has not dealt with given that rag-dolling Kevin Holland and also defeating him within three minutes in September. His bogeyman status in the welterweight department appears to have had an impact on possible matchups.

If the Chechnya-born boxer is to be believed, then he has actually been eluded by Colby Covington (No. 2) and also a lot of the middleweight department also.

Something is for sure, he intends to battle in Abu Dhabi.

Chimaev informed "The MMA Hour": "October will certainly be a big show in Abu Dhabi-- it resembles, for me, home nation. I such as that location. It really feels excellent there."

His target? The current welterweight champion, Leon Edwards. Although this would certainly be what lots of followers would want, it is not likely the British boxer would want to climb up back into the octagon so soon after his March success over Kamaru Usman.

Disallowing any type of injuries, Chimaev will certainly get on the card. Who he fights is another inquiry entirely.

Jiri Prochazka versus Jamahal Hillside for the light heavyweight title

Jiri Prochazka needed to relinquish the light heavyweight belt adhering to a shoulder injury that a UFC doctor called "the worst" he had ever before seen.

The always-entertaining Czech boxer needed to sit on the sidelines and also watch Jamahal Hillside conquer Glover Teixeira for the vacant title. Prochazka is still recovering however informed MMA Combating that "it (the injury) is obtaining far better than individuals anticipated" as he targets a summertime return.

Nonetheless, provided the nature of the injury, a somewhat longer spell is most likely called for, and also Prochazka versus Hill could be the 2nd title battle on the UFC 294 card.

The return of Conor McGregor

It is a slim chance, as well as there would certainly need to be an unbelievable series of events to permit it, however Conor McGregor combating at UFC 294 is possible. Unlikely, certain, however there is a possibility.

McGregor has been out of the octagon for the past 2 years. A busted leg and after that a duty in the upcoming "Roadway House" film reboot has actually postponed the return of the UFC's largest draw. His following battle will protest fellow light-weight competitor Michael Chandler.

The pair are presently opposition trains on "The Ultimate Competitor" television program, the ending of which will certainly see the two square off versus each other. The earliest this bout can happen is in August, which would certainly not leave much time to recover and recuperate prior to UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.

However, and also it is a massive one, if the Irishman was to make easy work of Chandler as well as get away unharmed, after that a title fight with Makhachev is feasible.

It is not precisely fair to the competitors that have actually remained energetic in the division, however placing McGregor at the front of the queue for a chance at Makhachev's belt breaks all type of UFC PPV records. Stranger things have occurred.