CNN —Alexander Volkanovski says he lost 26.5lbs in 11 days ahead of his highly-anticipated UFC lightweight title rematch against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294. The pair will face off in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, October 21; the second time they have done so after Makhachev beat Volkanovski at UFC 284 in February this year for the UFC lightweight championship belt. Volkanovski and Makhachev shake hands during a press conference ahead of their lightweight fight at UFC 294. In the other co-headline event of UFC 294, Kamaru Usman will take on Khamzat Chimaev in a special middleweight bout. ET, with the headline fight of Volkanovski vs. Makhachev expected to begin a few hours later.

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Persons: CNN — Alexander Volkanovski, Islam Makhachev, Volkanovski, Charles Oliveira, ” Volkanovski, Makhachev, Chris Unger, I’ve, “ I’m, ”, it’s, Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, Henry Cejudo, Kamaru Usman Organizations: CNN, UFC, United, TNT Sports, Makhachev, Etihad Arena, ESPN Locations: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 154.5lb, 155lb