UFC 284: Islam Makhachev defends title, stops history with win over Alex Volkanovski

Islam Makhachev defends title, stops history with win over Alex Volkanovski.

On Saturday night UFC 284 was headlined by a history-making fight when No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter Alex Volkanovski went up in weight looking to become the fifth UFC champion to hold champ-champ status when he challenged No. 2 ranked pound-for-pound fighter Islam Makhachev for his lightweight title.

UFC 284: Islam Makhachev vs. Alex Volkanovski round-by-round breakdown

They touched gloves to start the fight.

The first round started slow, with both fighters measuring each other up, showing respect, and taking their time. Volkanovski changed stances several times, likely in hopes of confusing Makhachev and keeping his takedowns at bay. The first exciting moment of the fight was a near knockdown of Makhachev but he recovered quickly and the fight resumed as normal. With two minutes remaining in the first, they traded strikes and Volkanovski briefly dropped to his knees. He popped back up but then Makhachev put him against the fence and took him down. This is what Volkanovski was trying to avoid. Makhachev then took the back but wasn’t able to get the submission before the round ended.

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The second round started much like the first round but Volkanovski seemed more urgent, likely wanting to make up for the first. Volkanovski knocked Makhachev to the mat but without much struggle, Makhachev went back to his feet and now had Volkanovski against the cage like in the first. Volkanovski was able to escape this time and they briefly traded before clinching. Once separated Makhachev landed several strikes, leg kicks, and body shots to back up Volkanovski, likely winning round two as well.

In the third round, the commentary seemed to think the fight was closer than it seemed to us. Perhaps it was wishful thinking, or perhaps we were seeing it wrong. Potentially down two rounds, Volkanovski was in a tough spot. Makhachev clinched and then pushed Volkanovski to the change, looking to secure the submission he lost in the first round. Volkanovski was able to get out of the hold easily and they went back to the center of the Octagon. Makhachev slipped with just 30 seconds left and Volkanovski took advantage ending the round in a flurry of punches, possibly to edge the round for him finally.

In the fourth round, they started out trading. The hesitation and respect were clearly gone. Makhachev peppered Volkanovski with strikes before taking him to the ground and then moving him over against the fence. With three minutes in the round and the back of Volkanovski, he went looking to end the fight. Despite the terrible position that Volkanovski was in, Makhachev wasn’t able to get the submission, but he absolutely won the round.

It was a do-or-die fifth round for Volkanovski. He needed a finish, likely down three rounds to the champion. They touched gloves to start the round and hugged. But after the pleasantries, it was all violence. Both fighters traded moments with leg kicks, knees, and body shots coming from both reigning champions. A knee to Volkanovski opened a cut by his eye, further hurting his chances with the judges. They went to the canvas with 2.5 minutes remaining, Volkanovski briefly taking Makhachev’s back but they were back on their feet in a moment. Vokanovski, knowing he needed something special briefly took Makhachev down but he popped back up quick and then walked back to the center of the Octagon. A right hand dropped Makhachev with just over a minute left and Volkanovski got on top of Makhachev and landed massive ground and point to end the round.

The fight went to the judge’s scorecards.

After an insane back-and-forth and a nail-biting decision, Makhachev remained the champion and likely earned the No. 1 pound-for-pound spot.

“This is such a hard opponent, thank you Alex,” he said. “I have to improve.”

Makhachev, the protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov, was riding an 11-fight win streak and secured his title after defeating Charles Oliveira. This was his first attempt at defending that title.

Volkanovski was testing on the precipice of GOAT status and a win at lightweight against Makhachev would have secured it.

UFC 284: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski takes place on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, live from the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all your news and highlights.