Breaking: Alexander Volkanovski's Astonishing 265lb Weight Shed in Record-Breaking 11 Days for Epic UFC Clash Against Islam Makhachev!

Alexander Volkanovski revealed that he shed 26.5lbs in just 11 days leading up to his eagerly awaited UFC lightweight title rematch with Islam Makhachev at UFC 294. The showdown is set to take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, October 21, marking their second encounter since Makhachev claimed the UFC lightweight championship belt with a victory over Volkanovski at UFC 284 in February of this year.

The 35-year-old Australian recently discovered that he would be returning to the ring to face Makhachev, as his original opponent, Charles Oliveira, withdrew due to an injury. Consequently, he had to go through a significant weight reduction to meet the requirements for the fight, all within a tight 12-day timeframe.

Volkanovski admitted, "It was clear that I had been retaining a significant amount of water. I was taking some time off with my family, enjoying a vacation and making the most of it. I soaked up the sun, indulged in a few beverages, and had amazing meals.

"Interestingly, even before receiving the call, I had a feeling of dissatisfaction when I saw my weight. I realized I needed to shed a few kilos. Consequently, when the phone finally rang, I had already managed to lose a kilo or two."

Volkanovski weighed in at 154.5lb during Friday's weigh-in, while Makhachev weighed in at 155lb.

Volkanovski and Makhachev shake hands during a press conference ahead of their lightweight fight at UFC 294.

Despite the limited time for preparation, suggestions that the pressure on Volkanovski has been alleviated have been met with disagreement from the Australian.

During his press conference on Tuesday, Volkanovski expressed his frustration with the phrase "no-lose situation" and emphasized the significance of the upcoming rematch and lightweight title. He acknowledged that his legacy is at stake and highlighted the urgency to secure a victory, despite the short notice of only 12 days. Volkanovski emphasized that this rematch is his final opportunity to contend for the lightweight title, thus debunking the notion of it being a no-lose situation.

Volkanovski, the reigning UFC featherweight champion, is taking on the challenge of moving up in weight for his highly anticipated fights against Makhachev. This clash between two elite pound-for-pound UFC fighters will put Volkanovski's skills to the test, especially considering that he will be facing Makhachev in a rematch. Makhachev, who is currently on a winning streak of 12 fights, including their previous encounter earlier this year, adds an extra level of pressure to the upcoming showdown.

Volkanovski aims to become the fifth UFC fighter to hold two titles simultaneously, joining the ranks of Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo. Also, in another significant match at UFC 294, Kamaru Usman will face off against Khamzat Chimaev in a special middleweight bout.

How to watch

UFC 294 will take place on Saturday, October 21, from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

The preliminary card is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. ET, followed by the main card at 2 p.m. ET. The highly anticipated Volkanovski vs. Makhachev headline fight is expected to take place a few hours after the main card kicks off.

Viewers in the United States can catch the event on ESPN+. In the UK, the fight will be broadcast on TNT Sports.