Islam vs volkanovski

Islam Makhachev has retained the UFC lightweight title after a thrilling 25-minute back-and-forth contest with 145-lb champion Alex Volkanovski at UFC 284 in Perth. The Dagestani took out a unanimous decision (48-47 x2, 49-46) but Volkanovski made him work awfully hard for it in front of a parochial Australian crowd. Makhachev's grappling and Volkanovski's striking were seen as the two difference makers going into the bout and in the end they effectively cancelled each other out. MORE: On the occasions he was taken down, Volkanovski remained calm, defended submission attempts and was able to get back to his feet on several occasions. In the standup exchanges, Makhachev deserves plenty of credit for his counter shots and array of offence, which Volkanovski admitted caught him off guard. “It was a fun fight, maybe I could have capitalised on some positions a bit more, left it a little late but hey, what do you do? Congrats to Islam,” Volkanovski said post-fight. “He didn’t respect my wrestling and grappling and I guess maybe I didn’t respect his striking enough either because he landed some shots.” The crowd at the RAC Arena were on the feet for the final moments after Volkanovski dropped Makhachev with a right hand but the Aussie couldn't get the finish. Makhachev gave credit to Volkanovski for the challenge but asked to be acknowledged as the new pound-for-pound number one. “This is a short and hard opponent. Thank you, Alex,” Makhachev told Michael Bisping in the octagon....

Alexander Volkanovski fell short in his pursuit of glory but made believers of his many naysayers. UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and featherweight champion Volkanovski fought back-and-forth for five hard rounds. Makhachev retained his title, but the outcome is sure to be debated for some time. Makhachev and Volkanovski masterfully weaponized each other's greatest strengths. Volkanovski managed to peel away Makhachev's grappling and confidence to wrestle offensively. But Makhachev mastered the range on the feet and countered Volkanovski well. All five rounds were competitive, but the momentum trended from Makhachev to Volkanovski with each passing five minutes. Makhachev, 31, ran his win streak to 12 with the victory as he continues to collect accolades along the way. "I showed why I am No. 1... You like it or you don't like it, I'm the number one best fighter in the world," Makhachev told UFC commentator Michael Bisping during the post-fight interview. "I want a real contender. Not fakes." Round 2 was a major swing round. Volkanovski appeared to have dropped the defending champion, but Makhachev immediately shot for and secured his second takedown of the fight. Later in the round, Makhachev hit Volkanovski with a big punch that put the challenger off-balance and sent him in retreat. Volkanovski wasn't always able to stuff the takedown attempt, but he regularly peeled off the notoriously sticky Makhachev and either broke free or pushed Makhachev against the fence...

In front of a rowdy RAC Arena full of passionate fans who cheered on his opponent Alexander Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC), the promotion’s lightweight champion Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) retained his title via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46). The bout served as the Saturday’s fight matched the UFC-ranked No. 1 and No. 2 pound-for-pound fighters in the world against each other – a rare happening. Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion, elevated to 155 pounds and served as UFC lightweight champion Makhachev’s first title defense. Few crowds have paralleled the loudness of the environment when Volkanovski first, then Makhachev second, walked into RAC Arena. The two fighters met opposite receptions as the fans sang along to “Down Under” by Men At Work during Volkanovski’s walk, and booed during Makhachev’s walk. The thunderous energy continued through the introductions and well into the first round, and reenergized when Volkanovski landed the first big punch of the fight. Makhachev stumbled backward but did not go down. Moments later, both men landed hard shots. Champ vs champ P4P #1 vs #2 It's time to make HISTORY — UFC (@ufc) Makhachev’s strike dropped Volkanovski down briefly. Volkanovski popped up but was taken down. Makhachev shimmied to the back but was unable to sneak in a choke before the round ended. In Round 2, Volkanovski was first to land a significant blow. A punch dropped Makhachev, who popped up and took Volkanovski down again. Volkanovski r...

Watch UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski took place Feb. 12 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev (24-1) and featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski (25-2) collided in the seventh champion vs. champion fight in UFC history, with Makhachev’s belt on the line in the night’s main event. The fight aired live on ESPN+ pay-per-view. Catch the video highlights below. The new world P4P #1 and NOBODY can take that away from For more on Makhachev vs. Volkanovski, check out the Round 1: Makhachev out in southpaw, Volk in orthodox to start and feints immediately from Volk. He’s moving around the outside, while Makhachev looks to cut the cage. Both men taking their time, feeling things out. Volk moving on angles and showing a right hand swing but not firing yet. Makhachev lands a kick to the body to start. Volk charges in but comes up with air. Still circling from both me but now Volk is leading the dance and he’s switching stances a lot. Showing different looks. Volk lands a low kick as they exchange and Volk lands a right hand down the middle that stings Makhachev! Volk shouts Let’s go and he’s feeling himself right now. He’s got the speed for sure and Makhachev is staying very patient. Too patient maybe. Volk is charging in though. Not working in cleanly, which would be dangerous. But the speed is troubling Makhachev early. Volk comes in and Makhachev sits him down! Volk back up but he got clipped in an exchange and now Makhachev charges and l...

See every judges' scorecard from Volkanovski, the UFC’s reigning featherweight champion who moved up a division to challenge Makhachev, won rounds 3 and 5 on the scorecards of judges Ben Cartlidge and David Lethaby. It wasn’t enough though as all three judges agreed that Makhachev won rounds 1, 2, and 4, with Derek Cleary also scoring Round 3 for Makhachev. Regardless of the result, every round felt competitive and few would argue that Volkanovski gave Makhachev his most difficult fight since Makhachev’s lone loss to How did you score the fight? Did the judges get it right?