UFC 284: Islam Makhachev denies Alex Volkanovski, keeps lightweight belt in thrilling battle with featherweight champ
- Volkanovski challenged Makhachev for the lightweight belt in the main event of UFC 284 on Sunday morning in Perth, Australia
- Lightweight champion retained his title with a unanimous decision, but both men had their moments in a fight that will stand the test of time
Islam Makhachev is still the UFC lightweight champion, but Alexander Volkanovski gave him the toughest fight of his career to date.
Russia’s Makhachev, the star pupil of MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, defended the lightweight title against the featherweight champion Volkanovski in the main event of Sunday morning’s UFC 284 event in Perth, Australia.
The two men were considered the best pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC ahead of time, adding extra intrigue and significance to what was already a riveting champion versus champion clash.
And in the end, their fight surpassed all expectations.
From the opening bell, it was clear they were very evenly matched, as the local hero Volkanovski proved he could more than handle Makhachev’s vaunted grappling game, and Makhachev proved he was well prepared for the featherweight champion on the feet – contrary to most pre-fight expectations.
Both men had big moments in the fight, but after five rounds, the three cage-side judges all scored it for Makhachev, with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46.
The win pushes Makhachev, 31, to an impressive 24-1 as a pro fighter. The Dagestan native won the lightweight belt late last year, when he defeated Charles Oliveira by submission.