Anshul Jubli has been added to UFC 294. The undefeated Indian lightweight will be facing Mike Breeden in Abu Dhabi on October 21st.
Jubli (7-0) won the Road to UFC lightweight tournament to earn a UFC contract. He stopped Jeka Saragih in the second round and earned a $50,000 USD performance bonus.
It has already been a lucrative year for the 28 year old who came to prominence competing on Matrix Fight Night cards. His last fight was at the Apex Centre but he won’t have as far to travel this time.
Jubli is competing at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. His opponent has more UFC experience but has yet to enjoy any success inside the octagon.
Breeden (10-4) has lost three out of three since signing for the UFC in 2021. A fourth loss would surely signal the end of his brief tenure competing inside the octagon.
A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it ☠️ pic.twitter.com/Uyyi77UDtw
— Anshul Jubli (@anshuljubli_) February 20, 2023
Title rematch
UFC 294 will be the promotion’s first event in Abu Dhabi this year. The card will be headlined by a rematch with Islam Makhachev putting his lightweight title on the line against Charles Oliveira.
The two men first met at UFC 280 last year. Makhachev submitted Oliveira in the second round to win the lightweight title in Abu Dhabi, at the same venue which will host the rematch.
Makhachev would go on to beat Alex Volkanovski by decision at UFC 284 in Perth to defend the belt. He is the protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov who held the lightweight title himself and retired undefeated.
At UFC 289 last month Oliveira stopped Beneil Dariush in the opening round. The Brazilian holds the promotion’s record for most finishes, most submission and most bonuses.
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Middleweight debut
The card will also feature the middleweight debut of Khamzat Chimaev. Having missed weight by nearly 10lbs at UFC 280 he has moved up a division and will be taking on Paulo Costa.
Also in the middleweight division Nassourdine Imavov has been matched with Ikram Aliskerov. The former had been booked to fight Costa at UFC 291 but that fight was cancelled with both men facing different opponents in October instead.
Khamzat Chimaev taps out Kevin Holland in the first round.#UFC279 pic.twitter.com/9kWjh1Bn5k
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) September 11, 2022
Good support
Mohammad Yahya has signed with the UFC and will debut in Abu Dhabi next month. The reigning UAE Warriors lightweight champion will become the first fighter from the country to compete inside the octagon.
Yahya has been booked to face Trevor Peek at UFC 294. The event is set for the Etihad Arena on October 21st and the Emirati should get good support from the fans in Abu Dhabi.
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Strawweight fight
A strawweight fight between Victoria Dudakova and Jinh Yu Frey is also on the UFC 294 card. The former is coming off a slightly fortuitous victory over Istela Nunes at UFC Vegas 77. The former ONE Championship atomweight title challenger dislocated her elbow in the opening round and was unable to continue.
Frey is a veteran of nine UFC fights but the 38 year old has lost her last three. Before signing for the promotion she fought for Road FC and Rizin and has been in with the likes of Ayaka Hamasaki and Seo Hee Ham.
UFC 294, Abu Dhabi, October 21st
Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira (For lightweight title)
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa (Middleweight)
Nassourdine Imavov vs. Nassourdine Imavov (Middleweight)
Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev (Flyweight)
Abu Azaitar vs. Sedriques Dumas (Middleweight)
Jinh Yu Frey vs. Victoria Dudakova (Strawweight)
Mohammad Yahya vs. Trevor Peek (Lightweight)
Anshul Jubli vs. Mike Breeden (Lightweight)
