BREAKING: Volk and Islam rematch ON after Oliveira’s injury blow ahead of UFC 294

Australian sports fans have today been gifted one of the biggest fight weeks in the nation’s history – with a bizarre chain of events suddenly seeing Tim Tszyu and Alexander Volkanovski take world title blockbusters within days of one another.

In huge news for the UFC featherweight king, Volkanovski has been catapulted into a lightweight title showdown against reigning champ Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 next Sunday.

The Aussie favourite comes into the Abu Dhabi event as a late replacement for Brazilian Charles Oliveira, who has been ruled out after being seriously cut during a sparring session.

UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski SUN 22nd OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

UFC president Dana White revealed on Friday that Oliveira had split his eyebrow “wide open” in the training mishap.

Speaking to US media after the latest instalment of Contender Series, White confirmed then Volkanovski would be given a second shot at ‘champ champ’ status in a heavily-anticipated rematch between two men who squared off at UFC 284 back in February.

The news also comes only months after Tszyu predicted to Fox Sports Australia that he and ‘Volk’ – who he labelled “a beast” – where set to take over the fight world together.

Asked if Oliveira was out and Volkanovski now in, White replied: “Yes, all of that is true.

“Round five of sparring last night, before he was supposed to jump on a plane today, he (Oliveira) split his eyebrow wide open and had it stitched up.

“Obviously he can’t fly out there with that.

“(Plus) they didn’t call us.

“We would’ve had him go to a plastic surgeon — they would’ve sewed it from the inside out and got that thing done the right way.

“But they never call us like they should when something happens. They call us after they get it stitched up.

“But on the flipside I can see him not wanting to risk it, getting a shot like this and … the Volkanovski crew, him and Israel (Adesanya), these guys are studs, man.

“He jumped in and accepts the fight.”

Izzy’s brutal breakdown of Strickland | 08:04

One phone call?

“One phone call,” White concurred of Volkanovski.

“And I would’ve announced it hours ago except I was waiting for the guys in Abu Dhabi to wake up so I could let them know before we reported it.

“But these guys that surround these guys down in Brazil, they can’t keep their f…ing mouths shut, you know.

“This came out of Oliveira’s camp apparently. Which is part of the f…ing business.

“I would’ve liked to talk to the powers that be in Abu Dhabi before it got announced but people can’t keep their mouths shut for whatever f…ing reason.

“So here we are.”

Volkanosvki first fought Makhachev back in February, losing his bid for ‘champ champ’ status in a contentious points decision loss.

The Aussie then went and defended his UFC featherweight title against Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in July and was being tipped for another defence against Ilia Topuria next January.

Instead, he will now race across to Abu Dhabi and fight on Sunday week.

Tszyu, meanwhile, is set for his own championship blockbuster this Sunday – defending his WBO super welterweight title against America’s Brian Mendoza.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia earlier this year, Tszyu branded Volkanovski “a beast” and predicted, together, the pair were set to become part of a global combat sports revolution Down Under.

At the time, Volkanovski was the No.1 ranked UFC fighter pound-for-pound – a spot he now shares with UFC heavyweight champ and Octagon legend Jon Jones.

“Alexander Volkanovski — beast,” Tszyu declared. “And No. 1 pound for pound for a reason.

“He’s not only smashing it up right now, but has all the tools required to stay the best fighter in the UFC.

“Us Aussie fighters may still have a certain reputation (internationally), but mark my words, we’re taking over combat sports.

“We’re actually right on the verge now.

“We’re in such a good place.

“And the greatest thing is, the Aussie fans are right behind us.

“Everyone is interested.

“We’re bringing big fights to Australia, big names, and to have so many of us at that top level now … we really are about to take over.”

Unthinkable not so long ago, both Volkanovski and Tszyu can now finish 2023 as two of the most exciting champions anywhere in the world.

Should Tszyu beat Mendoza this weekend, No Limit CEO George Rose has confirmed he will chase names like Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jnr, even Canelo Alvarez.

At some stage next year too, Tszyu will almost certainly get the chance to unify the division against Jermell Charlo, who holds the other three major belts.