UFC 294: Injured Oliveira Pulls Out Of  Rematch With Makhachev

Charles Oliveira has pulled out of the rematch with defending lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi through injury.

Brazil’s Oliveira, 33, split his eyebrow open in sparring on Monday and has been replaced with Australian featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Russian Makhachev, 31, holds the belt after beating Oliveira at UFC 280 via unanimous decision last year.

UFC 294 takes place on 21 October.

Makhachev successfully defended his title at UFC 284 against home favourite Volkanovski in Perth, Australia by unanimous decision in February.

To set up the rematch, Oliveira defeated American Beneil Dariush in June.

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BBC/Jamiu Ogunshe