ISLAM MAKHACHEV survived a late knockdown to become the pound-for-pound king of the UFC jungle in a thrilling showdown with Alexander Volkanovski.
The Russian wrecking machine saw off the featherweight champion’s challenge for his lightweight throne in front of a hostile crowd in Perth, Australia in the main event of UFC 284 early this morning.
GettyIslam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski locked horns in the main event of UFC 284[/caption]
GETTYIslam Makhachev showed significantly improved striking in his first title defence[/caption]
GettyThe Dagestani destroyer managed to ground Volk on several occasions[/caption]
GETTYBut the challenger did an incredible job of getting back to his feet[/caption]
Makhachev retained his belt with a unanimous decision victory over the Aussie, with the judges scoring the fight 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 in his favour.
The Dagestani destroyer’s victory in on enemy territory registered his first defence of the title he claimed last October and made him the undisputed best MMA fighter on the planet.
In his post-fight interview, he roared: “You like or you don’t like, I am best [the] fighter in the world right now!”
Volk started the mouthwatering showdown happy to operate on the outside and feint his way in as chants of “Ole, ole, ole” rang throughout the RAC Arena.
The challenger utilised lots of stance switches early doors to try and overload the mind of Makhachev.
And they set up a good right hand that sent the champion backwards and drew a big reaction from the crowd.
But his lack of respect for Makhachev’s striking soon came to the fore when he got dropped in a wild exchange, although he quickly returned to his feet.
He soon found himself on the ground after being pressed up against the cage and ended the round fighting off a neck crank after some beautiful back control from Makhachev.
Volk started the second as he did the first, looking to feint his way in – albeit with less footwork.
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And he, like the crowd, will have no doubt been buoyed when Makhachev missed with a telegraphed left hand.
But his confidence in becoming a champ-champ grew massively when he dropped a retreating Makhachev against the fence.
The Dagestani, however, managed to transition to a takedown and held on until Volkanovski broke his grip and landed a nice knee on the break.
And he would’ve been stunned when Volk flipped the script and tried to take him down against the cage.
Makhachev’s continually-improving striking was on show late in the round when he stunned Volk with a beautiful counter left.
Volk recovered quickly and ended the stanza fending off a crushing Thai clinch.
The passionate Perth crowd were quick to rally behind Volk as the third started.
And they rose to their feet when Makhachev was unbalanced by a leg kick.
They were, however, quickly deflated by when Makhachev shot for a takedown midway through the round and grounded the fight.
Volkanovski once again managed to make his way back to his feet and forced a clinch of his own against the fence.
Heavy leather was traded after the break, although Makhachev got the better of the exchanges with a good counter left hand.
Volkanovski was left frustrated in the fourth after Makhachev grounded him with a beautifully-timed takedown, so much so that he started talking smack to his opponent’s corner.
Makhachev’s impressive back control saw him see out the round on top, although he did have to deal with several over-the-shoulder punches from a fired-up Volk.
GETTYVolkanovski dropped Makhachev late in the fifth round[/caption]
GettyThe featherweight king went all out for the finish but was unable to find it[/caption]
GETTYVolkanovski cut a dejected figure after the scorecards were read out[/caption]
EPAVictory over Volk was Makhachev’s first title defence and saw him become P4P king[/caption]
Volkanovski had his head snapped up by a big straight left hand moments into the fifth and final stanza.
And his equilibrium was further tested when Makhchev landed a picture-perfect counter knee as he closed the distance.
More knees in the clinched bloodied Volkanovski and worried the crowd. But they were lifted once again when a takedown attempt from Makhachev was stuffed by a bloody Volk.
Volk was briefly grounded moments later but did an incredible job of rising to his feet and pressing the champ.
And he would’ve seen himself holding two belts aloft when he dropped Makhachev with a big right hand moments after they broke from the clinch.
Volk used every ounce of his energy searching for the finish in full guard, dropping bomb after bomb.
But Makhachev managed to weather the storm and retain his title, which will head back to his native Dagestan in the coming days.
A crestfallen Volkanoski said: “I was expecting to win. I knew he was really good and I just knew I prepared properly.
“But hey, it was a fun maybe. Maybe I could’ve capitalised on some positions a bit more. I left it a little bit later.
“But hey, Congrats to Islam. Great fighter. Maybe we’ll settle pound for pound No. 1 again.”