In a shocking turn of events, Charles Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) sustained a severe laceration that led to his withdrawal from the UFC 294 main event against Islam Makhachev. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Alexander Volkanovski stepped in as a replacement. Oliveira took to social media to share images of the gruesome cut, accompanied by a brief apology video sporting a bandage on his left brow.
White revealed that the laceration occurred on the eve of Oliveira's scheduled flight to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi for his October 21 title rematch with Makhachev. It was noted that Oliveira's team attempted to address the issue through their own connections rather than seeking the UFC's medical expertise. White suggested that reaching out to the UFC could have resulted in a better solution, stating, "They didn't call us. We would've had him go to a plastic surgeon. They would've sewed it from the inside-out... These guys never call us like they should when something happens. They call us after they get it stitched up."
Despite the setback, Oliveira's recent record stands at an impressive 12-1 in his last 13 fights, with his sole loss coming against Makhachev at UFC 280 in October 2022. The former champion boasts victories over prominent fighters such as Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Beneil Dariush, among others.
I apologize pic.twitter.com/TYes4iNUn0
— Charles 'DoBronxs' Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) October 11, 2023