The UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi feels a little closer following the release of the official poster for <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/combat-sports/2023/03/16/abu-dhabi-to-host-ufc-294-in-october/" target="_blank">UFC 294</a> – featuring big-hitters Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa. The world’s lead mixed martial arts promotion stages its next pay-per-view event in the capital on October 21, with the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/combat-sports/2023/07/20/islam-makhachev-charles-oliveira-2-khamzat-chimaev-return-set-for-ufc-294-in-abu-dhabi/" target="_blank">rematch between lightweight champion Makhachev and former belt-holder Charles Oliveira</a> headlining at Etihad Arena. The pair shared the main event when the UFC last visited Abu Dhabi, at UFC 280, where <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/ufc/2022/10/22/ufc-280-islam-makhachev-overpowers-charles-oliveira-to-clinch-lightweight-title/" target="_blank">Makhachev prevailed by second-round submission</a> to become champion for the first time. The Dagestan native, 31, has <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/combat-sports/2023/02/12/islam-makhachev-achieves-pound-for-pound-dream-after-thrilling-win-at-ufc-284/" target="_blank">since defended his crown</a> against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, in Australia in February, to extend his win streak to 12. He is 24-1 as a professional. Oliveira, meanwhile, rebounded from the Makhachev loss – his only reverse in 13 bouts – <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/combat-sports/2023/06/11/charles-oliveira-calls-for-islam-makhachev-rematch-in-champions-house-in-abu-dhabi/" target="_blank">with a first-round finish of Beneil Dariush</a> in June. His pro record sits at 34-9. UFC 294 marks not only the company’s return to Abu Dhabi, but Chimaev’s much-anticipated comeback to the octagon. The Chechen-born middleweight, who now competes under the UAE flag, takes on former title challenger Costa seeking to maintain his flawless pro record. Chimaev, 29, is 6-0 since <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/other-sport/ufc-fight-night-3-khamzat-chimaev-unfazed-by-khabib-nurmagomedov-comparisons-and-vows-to-be-champion-soon-1.1054468" target="_blank">debuting in the UFC in Abu Dhabi during the inaugural Fight Island</a> in July 2020, and has competed in the emirate twice since. He last fought in September last year, easing to a first-round win against Kevin Holland. Overall, he is 12-0 as a pro. Costa, too, has previous experience on Fight Island, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/other-sport/ufc-253-israel-adesanya-stops-paulo-costa-to-retain-middleweight-title-1.1083993" target="_blank">losing to then-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya</a> at UFC 253. The Brazilian, 14-2, has not competed since defeating Luke Rockhold at UFC 278 13 months ago. UFC 294 also sees history being made, when UAE lightweight Mohammed Yahya <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/combat-sports/2023/09/11/mohammed-yahya-to-make-history-as-first-emirati-to-fight-in-ufc/" target="_blank">becomes the first Emirati to fight in the UFC</a> when he enters the octagon against American Trevor Peek. Other notable bouts at Etihad Arena include a clash of middleweight contenders in Nassourdine Imavov and Ikram Aliskerov, while former light-heavyweight title challenger Magomed Ankalaev takes on Johnny Walker, and <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/ufc/2022/10/22/ufc-280-muhammad-mokaev-dominates-malcolm-gordon-in-abu-dhabi/" target="_blank">top prospect Muhammad Mokaev</a> meets Tim Elliott at flyweight.