Dana White Reveals Backup Fighter For UFC 294 Title Fight

UFC 294 is two weeks away, and although it is topped with the highly-anticipated lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira, the UFC wants to ensure the Abu Dhabi crowd is served with a high-octane main event to satisfy the MMA appetite.

At the UFC Vegas 80 post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Mateusz Gamrot, the lightweight division's No. 6 contender, will fill in if the scenario arises where either Makhachev or Oliveira can't compete. The confirmation comes after Gamrot told reporters in Poland that he secured the backup role.

White's response was short, sweet, and to the point.

"Yeah, it's true," White said. "Yep."

This isn’t the first time the UFC has implemented a backup plan for a main event. Several years ago, the promotion suffered a plethora of injuries which saw major fights get postponed or canceled entirely.

For Gamrot, who has won six out of his last seven fights and two-straight, he’ll have a chance to make history as only the second male Polish champion in UFC history.

Nonetheless, UFC 294 will likely move forward without Gamrot’s services, but only time will tell. This is the UFC’s first trip back to Abu Dhabi since Oct. 2022, where Makhachev won the title from Oliveira.

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