Storylines to Watch at UFC 294

Pound-for-pound power struggles always provide plenty of palpable intrigue. Alexander Volkanovski will once again put his featherweight title on ice and move up the scale to challenge Islam Makhachev for the undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight crown when their rematch shoulders the UFC 294 marquee on Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Aussie wound up on the wrong side of a five-round unanimous decision against Makhachev in their first champion-versus-champion superfight at UFC 284 in February, though it was contentious enough that there were immediate calls for a rematch.

The incomparable Volkanovski steps up to the plate as a short-notice…