UFC 294: Alexander Volkanovski loses 25.5lb in 11 days for Islam Makhachev title bout

UFC 294: Alexander Volkanovski’s Epic Weight-Loss Journey

In a stunning turn of events, Alexander Volkanovski, the Australian Featherweight title holder, found himself facing a daunting challenge – losing a whopping 25.5 pounds in just 11 days! Why, you might ask? Well, it all boils down to the fascinating world of mixed martial arts and the ever-dramatic UFC.

This whirlwind transformation was undertaken by Volkanovski as he geared up for a rematch against the Russian champion, Islam Makhachev, at UFC 294. But the story becomes even more jaw-dropping when you realize that he was called in as a replacement just 12 days before the bout, stepping into the octagon after Charles Oliveira’s unfortunate injury. Talk about a high-pressure situation!

Volkanovski shared his incredible weight-loss journey, shedding light on his remarkable dedication and the mysterious ways in which his body cooperated. He admitted, “Obviously I was holding a lot of water. I was on a little holiday with the family, and I was enjoying it. I was enjoying the sun, had a couple of drinks and eating very well.”

It’s clear that Volkanovski was enjoying life and indulging during his vacation. However, when he received the call to fight, he realized he needed to make a drastic change. “But it’s funny, I had a day head-start before I got the call [to fight] because I saw that weight and I was like ‘oh wow, I’m not happy with that’. So when I did get the phone call, I was [already] a kilo or two lighter,” he explained.

This weight cut was a true test of his mettle, and he emphasized the incredible adaptability of his body. “You have to move some [weight] but my body just knows, I flick a switch and the weight went off, and my body just kicked into gear,” Volkanovski said.

The stakes in this bout were enormous. Volkanovski was striving to become only the fifth simultaneous double champion in UFC history, a club that includes luminaries like Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo. The fact that he was willing to undertake such a dramatic weight cut speaks volumes about his determination to etch his name in the annals of MMA history.

Now, picture the pressure and intrigue in this situation. Makhachev had already thwarted Volkanovski’s initial attempt to win a second belt in February, eking out a close decision. The rematch held the promise of redemption for the Australian fighter.

But the plot thickens, as we delve into the co-main event. Kamaru Usman, a fighter who has primarily competed at welterweight, weighed in at 184.5 pounds for his middleweight clash against Chechen-born Khamzat Chimaev, who tipped the scales at 185.5 pounds. Usman was yet another late replacement, stepping in for Paulo Costa due to an injury. Chimaev, on the other hand, was moving up in weight after previously missing the welterweight limit for his bout against Nate Diaz at UFC 279.

The resulting reshuffling of the card added an extra layer of drama to the event, with Chimaev facing Kevin Holland at a catchweight of 180 pounds and Diaz squaring off against Tony Ferguson in the main event. The unpredictability and last-minute changes in the world of UFC are simply unparalleled.

Beyond the headline events, it’s worth noting that British fighters Muhammad Mokaev and Nathaniel Wood also made weight for their respective bouts on the undercard. Mokaev, at just 23 years old, was set to face Tim Elliott at flyweight, while Wood, aged 30, was ready to take on Muhammad Naimov in the featherweight division.

In the world of mixed martial arts, every fight is a story, and every fighter has a unique journey. The remarkable dedication and adaptability shown by fighters like Alexander Volkanovski, Kamaru Usman, and Khamzat Chimaev add a layer of intrigue that keeps fans at the edge of their seats. The octagon is not just a battleground for physical prowess; it’s a theater of dreams, determination, and sometimes, last-minute miracles.

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More about MMA Weight Cut Challenges

• UFC 294: Alexander Volkanovski’s Epic Weight-Loss Journey
• MMA Weight Cut Challenges
• Islam Makhachev
• Kamaru Usman
• Khamzat Chimaev
• UFC Champions
• UFC Drama
• Mixed Martial Arts
• Last-Minute Replacement
• Featherweight
• Middleweight
• Catchweight
• MMA Fighters
• UFC 294 Recap