UFC 294 'Embedded,' No. 3: Coach says Khamzat Chimaev has new attitude, new energy

The UFC is back for its regular fall trip to Abu Dhabi, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 294 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view at a special time of 2 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) takes on featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC), who once again will try to become a two-division titleholder. Volkanovski stepped up on short notice when Charles Oliveira pulled out. He lost to Makhachev in the UFC 284 main event earlier this year in Australia.

In the co-feature, Khamzat Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is at middleweight after he badly missed weight a little more than a year ago at 170 pounds. He takes on former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-3 MMA, 15-2 UFC), who will make the move up to 185 for the first time – and on short notice after Paulo Costa pulled out.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski arrives in Abu Dhabi. Lightweight champ Islam Makhachev melds basketball with Sambo. Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev do intense workouts, then have a virtual sitdown with Chael Sonnen.

Also see:

• UFC 294 ‘Embedded,’ No. 1: ‘Until we die or somebody dies’
• UFC 294 ‘Embedded,’ No. 2: Team Khabib hits the pitch in Abu Dhabi

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.