UFC 284: Islam Makhachev beats Alexander Volkanovski to retain lightweight title

Makhachev made the archetypal defence of his UFC lightweight title

Islam Makhachev bushed location favourite and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous determination to clasp his lightweight rubric successful an engaging contention astatine UFC 284 successful Perth, Australia.

In victory, Makhachev 31, could regenerate Volkanovski, 34, who was attempting to go a treble champion, arsenic the UFC's pound-for-pound fig one.

The bout was billed by the UFC arsenic the archetypal ever gathering betwixt their existent pound-for-pound fig 1 successful Volkanovski, and the fig two-ranked combatant successful Makhachev.

Volkanovski, who has dominated the featherweight part since winning the rubric successful 2019, was stepping up to lightweight successful the anticipation of pursuing Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, Daniel Cormier and Henry Cejudo successful becoming the 5th simultaneous treble UFC champion.

Makhachev, meanwhile, was making the archetypal defence of his rubric since beating Charles Oliveira astatine UFC 280 successful October.

The Russian was a large pre-fight favourite with bookmakers due to the fact that of his bigger size, with pundits pointing to his high-level wrestling arsenic being the difference, but the combat was overmuch person than immoderate predicted.

There was a enactment ambiance arsenic Volkanovski made his mode to the octagon, voraciously cheered by the Australians wrong the RAC Arena, portion successful opposition Makhachev sported a stern, focused look arsenic helium was booed during his walk-out.

Makhachev was besides warring without his coach, mentor and erstwhile UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov successful his corner, aft the second suggested successful January helium was stepping distant from the sport.

The combat begun with some athletes showing patience arsenic Volkanovski feinted and switched stances, portion Makhachev looked for openings.

Just implicit midway done the round, Makhachev had his archetypal important infinitesimal arsenic a punch stunned Volkanovski, illustrating the quality successful power, earlier helium landed a takedown and ended the circular successful a ascendant position.

The cardinal infinitesimal successful the 2nd circular belonged to Volkanovski however, arsenic pursuing different takedown from Makhachev, helium managed to execute what galore erstwhile opponents person struggled to bash and got backmost to his feet.

Volkanovski's resilience spurred the Perth assemblage connected arsenic they roared with each punching operation and limb footwear helium landed done the adjacent fewer rounds.

Makhachev continued to usage his scope to his advantage, countering Volkanovski with swift near hands and takedown attempts.

Following a ascendant 4th circular connected the crushed for Makhachev, Volkanovski pushed guardant successful the fifth, possibly knowing helium needed to convincingly triumph the circular to unafraid victory.

After showing beardown takedown defence, Volkanovski dropped Makhachev towards the extremity and finished the combat successful a ascendant position, pounding him connected the canvas.

As the doorbell rang, some fighters got up and raised their arms, assured of victory, with everyone astatine the broadside of the octagon connected their feet applauding some fighters' displays.

The effect meant Makhachev ended Volkanovski's 12-fight UFC winning streak and extended his ain to 12, which is present the existent longest successful the promotion.

"I thought helium was going to beryllium casual connected the crushed but this feline proved helium wasn't," said Makhachev.

"I showed wherefore I americium fig one. If you similar it, I americium the champion combatant successful the satellite close now, convey you."

Volkanovski meanwhile, paid tribute to his opponent.

"I admit the enactment but let's person a circular of applause for Islam. Obviously a batch of radical are going to beryllium blessed with that due to the fact that they didn't springiness maine a accidental but it was a amusive fight," helium said.

"Obviously I'd similar to accidental this connection with a triumph but there's thing incorrect with challenging yourself. Challenge yourself similar this it lone makers you stronger.

"You tin spot I tin get the occupation done but I came up abbreviated tonight, congrats to Islam, large fighter."

Rodriguez secures interim featherweight gold

Rodriguez secured his archetypal submission triumph successful his 13th UFC fight.

In the co-main event, Mexico's Yair Rodriguez enactment connected a good show arsenic helium bushed American Josh Emmett for the interim featherweight rubric via a second-round triangle choke.

Rodriguez, 30, mixed up his striking beautifully, landing an array of damaging kicks, punch combinations and elbows.

Emmett's powerfulness shone erstwhile helium struck the elusive Rodriguez, but helium was 2nd champion throughout.

When the combat went to the ground, Rodriguez showed different furniture to his unsafe acceptable of skills arsenic helium locked successful a triangle choke to extremity the fight.

Rodriguez's triumph volition apt acceptable up an undisputed rubric combat with Volkanovski, who has said helium wants to enactment progressive successful some the lightweight and featherweight divisions.