Author: Chandra Moulee Das
Brazilian MMA fighter Charles do Bronx will be absent from UFC 294 due to a significant eyebrow injury suffered during training on October 9. Consequently, he will not have the opportunity to face Russian fighter Islam Makhachev in their long-awaited rematch, originally scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on October 21.
This development was reported by the OverDogs podcast and confirmed by UFC president Dana White, who expressed his frustration at the fact that Do Bronx had not communicated with the UFC before treating his eyebrow injury. The incident allegedly took place during the last training session before the Brazilian fighter left for the United Arab Emirates.
“He (Charles) was supposed to take the plane today, but he hurt his eye, of course, he can’t fly like that. They (the Chute Boxe academy) never call us about these things. He will have to have plastic surgery. Volkanovski had no doubts and accepted the fight” said Dana White.
So far, neither the fighter nor any member of the Chute-Boxe team has commented on the matter, despite the UFC’s official announcement. Due to an eye injury that required plastic surgery, Charles do Bronx will no longer compete in 2023.
Although UFC 294 is scheduled for October 21, it will be back at the APEX in Las Vegas this weekend for another fight night, and this one looks like it could be exciting.
MAIN CARD
Featherweight fight: Sodiq Yusuff (NIGERIA) – Edson BARBOZA (BRAZIL)
Entering the ring for the first time in over a year, Sodiq Yusuff comes in on a two-fight winning streak and has an impressive 6-1 record since joining the UFC. On the other hand, after more than a decade competing against top talent in two different weight categories, Edson Barboza remains a formidable threat, even in his 30s.
The Brazilian veteran broke a two-fight losing streak with a second-round knockout win over Billy Quarantillo earlier this year, reminding everyone of his enduring presence in the 145-pound weight class.
Women’s flyweight: Jennifer MAIA (BRAZIL) – Viviane Araújo (BRAZIL)
In the co-main event, Brazilian veterans Jennifer Maia and Viviane Araujo will face off this weekend. Maia, now in her sixth year on the UFC roster, has established herself in the flyweight division, with her losses coming only against Top 5 opponents in her last two fights.
Araujo, although not much older than Maia, has not yet reached the same level as her opponent. However, Araujo remains firmly in the top 15.
Middleweight fight: Andre Petroski (USA) – Michel PEREIRA (BRAZIL)
Michel Pereira, the former leader of the middleweight rankings, will make his debut at middleweight this weekend against Andre Petroski, who is coming in at short notice to face the Brazilian. Pereira enters the weekend on a five-fight winning streak, although he is moving up a category after missing weight for his scheduled clash with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 291 in July.
Petroski also comes into Saturday’s fight on a five-fight winning streak, having started his post-TUF run with three consecutive finishes before securing decision victories in his last two appearances.
Welterweight fight: Edgar Chairez (Mexico) – Daniel LACERDA (BRAZIL)
Edgar Chairez and Daniel Lacerda will have a rematch after their September 16 clash was stopped prematurely. Lacerda is still looking for his first win inside the octagon, while Chairez, who was called up to the squad at short notice, put in an admirable performance against Tatsuro Taira. He won his two fights between the Contender Series and his debut against Taira by stoppage.
PRELIMINARY
Women’s bantamweight: Tainara LISBOA (BRAZIL) – Ravena Oliveira (BRAZIL)
In an all-Brazilian clash in the bantamweight division, Tainara Lisboa will introduce Ravena Oliveira to the octagon for the first time. Lisboa made an impressive debut with a third-round stoppage win over Jessica-Rose Clark in May, showing mastery of her strikes and clinch work before finishing the popular Australian at the end of the third round.
Oliveira steps in for Darya Zheleznyakova, aiming to add to her 7-1-1 record when she makes her UFC debut this weekend.