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Again bests Alexander Volkanovski
Makhachev retained his UFC Lightweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Alexander Volkanovski via KO (strikes) at 3:06 of Round 1 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
This result only served as further proof that it's going to take a monumental effort for any fighter to take the title off Makhachev at 155 pounds. These two fought this past February in what was a close, back-and-forth affair, but Islam made sure this battle had a more definitive ending. He crushed the exceedingly durable Volkanovski with a head kick and finished him with some follow-up strikes, which would go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Makhachev is probably the best grappler in the sport today. It's almost unfair that a guy with such a good wrestling game is this effective on the feet as well. The next two likely opponents for Islam would appear to be either Charles Oliveira -- who was due to get the call here before he had to withdraw due to a nasty cut suffered in training -- or Justin Gaethje. Makhachev is going to be a significant favor over either. He's that good.
This result only served as further proof that it's going to take a monumental effort for any fighter to take the title off Makhachev at 155 pounds. These two fought this past February in what was a close, back-and-forth affair, but Islam made sure this battle had a more definitive ending. He crushed the exceedingly durable Volkanovski with a head kick and finished him with some follow-up strikes, which would go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Makhachev is probably the best grappler in the sport today. It's almost unfair that a guy with such a good wrestling game is this effective on the feet as well. The next two likely opponents for Islam would appear to be either Charles Oliveira -- who was due to get the call here before he had to withdraw due to a nasty cut suffered in training -- or Justin Gaethje. Makhachev is going to be a significant favor over either. He's that good.
Gets new opponent for UFC 294
Makhachev will fight Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 in Abu Dabi on Oct. 21, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Makhachev's opponent change comes after Charles Oliveira split his eyebrow while sparring, forcing him to withdraw less than two weeks before the event. Makhachev has already faced Volkanovski once in his career, winning via unanimous decision at UFC 284 in February.
Makhachev's opponent change comes after Charles Oliveira split his eyebrow while sparring, forcing him to withdraw less than two weeks before the event. Makhachev has already faced Volkanovski once in his career, winning via unanimous decision at UFC 284 in February.
Set to defend title at UFC 294
Makhachev will face Charles Oliveira in a lightweight title fight at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 21, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Makhachev and Oliveira will headline the UFC 294 card as the former attempts to defend his title for a second time. The 31-year-old Russian fighter completed his first title defense against Alexander Volkanovski in February, winning in an unanimous decision back. Makhachev, who holds a 13-1 record in the UFC, will look to beat Oliveira for a second time after previously submitting him at UFC 280.
Makhachev and Oliveira will headline the UFC 294 card as the former attempts to defend his title for a second time. The 31-year-old Russian fighter completed his first title defense against Alexander Volkanovski in February, winning in an unanimous decision back. Makhachev, who holds a 13-1 record in the UFC, will look to beat Oliveira for a second time after previously submitting him at UFC 280.
Survives war to retain title
Makhachev retained his UFC Lightweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Alexander Volkanovski via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
It was by far the most competitive fight of Makhachev's UFC run, and it came against a natural featherweight. Islam ran through Charles Oliveira in less than two rounds in late-October, but it took five back-and-forth rounds to get past Volkanovski. As is always the case, Islam's wrestling game was on point. He landed four takedowns on nine attempts, good for 7:37 worth of control time. He kept Alex pinned to the mat for long stretches at a time, but also shockingly allowed his opponent to get back to his feet at times. He even absorbed some damage in positions where he would traditionally be in control. That says more about how great Volkanovski is than anything Islam did wrong. On the feet, Makhachev started slowly and finished slowly, but he picked up the pace in a major way in the middle rounds. The fact Volkanovski landed 164 total strikes compared to 95 from Makhachev isn't indicative of how this fight played out. Ultimately, it was a close contest between arguably the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but the judges got it correct. It's going to take a Herculean effort for any fighter to take the 155-pound belt off Islam. Volkanovski came closer than any man before him, but it still wasn't enough. Still the lightweight king despite rumors of a move up to welterweight, Makhachev will also take home a $50,000 bonus after this main event was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
It was by far the most competitive fight of Makhachev's UFC run, and it came against a natural featherweight. Islam ran through Charles Oliveira in less than two rounds in late-October, but it took five back-and-forth rounds to get past Volkanovski. As is always the case, Islam's wrestling game was on point. He landed four takedowns on nine attempts, good for 7:37 worth of control time. He kept Alex pinned to the mat for long stretches at a time, but also shockingly allowed his opponent to get back to his feet at times. He even absorbed some damage in positions where he would traditionally be in control. That says more about how great Volkanovski is than anything Islam did wrong. On the feet, Makhachev started slowly and finished slowly, but he picked up the pace in a major way in the middle rounds. The fact Volkanovski landed 164 total strikes compared to 95 from Makhachev isn't indicative of how this fight played out. Ultimately, it was a close contest between arguably the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but the judges got it correct. It's going to take a Herculean effort for any fighter to take the 155-pound belt off Islam. Volkanovski came closer than any man before him, but it still wasn't enough. Still the lightweight king despite rumors of a move up to welterweight, Makhachev will also take home a $50,000 bonus after this main event was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Defending title against Volkanovski
Makhachev will take on Alexander Volkanovski for the lightweight title at UFC 284 in Perth on Feb. 11, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Makhachev conquered the lightweight division by defeating Charles Oliveira by second-round submission in late October. He now has an 11-fight winning streak and hasn't needed to wait for the judges in any of his last five victories. His first title defense won't come against a lightweight but instead against the featherweight champion, who will be fighting in his home country as he looks to secure his second belt.
Makhachev conquered the lightweight division by defeating Charles Oliveira by second-round submission in late October. He now has an 11-fight winning streak and hasn't needed to wait for the judges in any of his last five victories. His first title defense won't come against a lightweight but instead against the featherweight champion, who will be fighting in his home country as he looks to secure his second belt.