Follow usRussian gappler Islam Makhachev edged Australian Alexander Volkanovski to retain his UFC lightweight title after a gripping five-round battle at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia.
THE NEW P4P #1 IN THE WORLD!! 🏆@MakhachevMMA has defeated Alex Volkanovski by unanimous decision! #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/zpqyy7HKZ6
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
Featherweight champion Volkanovski stepped up a weight class to take on lightweight king Makhachev in the main event at the RAC Arena, and both men were tested in ways we hadn’t seen before, as Makhachev was dragged into deep waters by Volkanovski, who himself had to adjust to Makhachev’s effective striking.
It made for a thrilling champion-versus-champion encounter that had the fans on the edge of their seats until the scorecards were finally announced as Makhachev took the unanimous decision victory with scores of 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 to retain his title.
Ultimately, Makhachev cemented his spot at the top of the 155-pound division, while Volkanovski, despite his defeat, may actually have seen his stock rise after pushing the Russian closer than any of his recent opponents.
“I showed why I am No. 1… You like it or you don’t like it, I’m the number one best fighter in the world,” 31-year-old Makhachev told UFC commentator Michael Bisping during the post-fight interview.
“I want a real contender. Not fakes.”
After the fight, Makhachev mentioned suffering Syria and Turkey, which were struck by a powerful earthquake with more than 30,000 deaths reported.
Islam Makhachev mentioning Syria and Türkiye in his post fight interview after his victory in the UFC.
— • (@Alhamdhulillaah) February 12, 2023
“People didn’t give me a chance but I gave myself a chance,” Volkanovski, a sizable underdog, said. “It was a fun fight. Maybe I could have capitalized on some positions more.
“I left it late, but what can you do? Congrats to Islam… Obviously, he didn’t respect my wrestling and grappling and I guess maybe I didn’t respect his strikes enough because he landed some good shots.”
