Russian Islam Makhachev defeated Australian featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 284 on Sunday (February 12th) in Perth. He retains his lightweight title after a massive fight against his current biggest rival.
You will have to be very solid to go and dethrone Islam Makhachev. The 31-year-old Russian defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight championship belt for the first time, obtained against the Brazilian Charles Oliveira last October. He defeated the Australian Alexander Volkanovski, the current featherweight champion, after a huge fight won on points by unanimous decision, this Sunday, February 12 in Perth.
Volkanovski, who was fighting in a room fully committed to his cause, was seeking a double belt by facing the Russian. But the step was a little too high, and he failed to become the fifth double champion – in two different categories – in UFC history.
The Dagestani’s victory over his biggest rival at the top of the league allows him to overtake Volkanovski in the standings and become the best fighter in the UFC. He also remains on a 12-fight winning streak and has only had one loss, dating back to 2015, in 14 total UFC fights.
Makhachev, conqueror and strategist
The Russian, ultra-conquering on the ground phases, however had to quickly review his plans against the very good defense of Volkanovski, who was able to resist him in his favorite exercise. Not enough to disconcert Makhachev, who changed his strategy: he applied himself to wearing down his opponent by ” striking », the standing combat phases. Undaunted, the pupil of the legend Khabib Nurmagomedov pushed his opponent to his last entrenchments by succeeding despite everything four takedowns in total.
Cornered, the Australian revolted during the fifth and final round by unleashing huge blows that could have tipped the judges’ opinion in his favor. But Makhachev’s science of combat had already done its work and the verdict was already sealed. ” I showed why I’m number one. Thought It Was Gonna Be Easy On The Ground But This Guy Proved Me Wrong “, declared the Russian at the end of the fight.
For his part, Alexander Volkanovski will certainly defend his featherweight belt against the Mexican Yair Rodríguez, his runner-up in the category. ” The fact that I didn’t measure up tonight doesn’t change anything. I’ll be back, but now let me go and settle this featherweight division “, decided the Australian. It is therefore surely not the last shock which will oppose the two warriors at the top of the UFC.