Photo from UFC Twitter
PERTH, Australia – Islam Makhachev survived an exhausting five-round war of attrition to retain his UFC lightweight title on Sunday, scoring a unanimous decision victory over Alexander Volkanovski after a thrilling battle at a sold-out RAC Arena.
Stepping up a weight class in an effort to become champion in two divisions, featherweight champ Volkanovski put on a tremendous display at UFC 284, but came up just short.
The fight started with some cagey exchanges in the middle of the octagon, with both fighters landing some heavy strikes before Makhachev used his wrestling to take Volkanovski down, threatening with chokes from the back to end the round.
We just witnessed an ALL TIMER ???? #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/Abd1D0T24S
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
Having learned his lesson, the 34-year-old Volkanovski did a much better job of dealing with Makhachev’s relentless wrestling in the next two rounds to keep the fight on the feet, but the left hand of the taller Russian was always a threat.
Makhachev reversed the tide early in the fourth, landing an early takedown in the center of the cage and trapping Volkanovski in a punishing body triangle before dominating the rest of the frame with his grappling.
Volkanovski showed tremendous tenacity to counter yet another takedown attempt in the fifth round. He came blazing back, decking Makhachev with a big right hand and pounding his opponent as he sought a knockout finish, but to no avail.
“I showed why I am number one, they have to improve more,” Makhachev said in a post-fight interview. “I am the best striker in the world right now.”
All three judges gave the fight to the 31-year-old Russian to improve his record to 24-1, while Volkanovski registered the second loss of his professional career to drop to 25-2.
In the co-main event, Yair Rodriguez scored a second-round submission win via triangle choke to win the interim featherweight title, and he will likely meet Volkanovski to decide the undisputed champion.
RELATED STORIES
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Read Next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Basketball News Click Here
