See how fellow fighters reacted to Islam Makhachev getting the nod from the judges over Alexander Volkanovski in their UFC 284 superfight.
In what will go down as a fight that lived up to its hype, and what should finish a top fight for 2022, Islam Makhachev scored a decision win over featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski to retain the UFC lightweight championship in the main event of UFC 284.
Volkanovski started this fight by keeping his distance, looking to just come in when able to land an attack and avoid being taken down. Volkanovski cracked Makhachev a couple of minutes into the round, but Makhachev got the better of him in exchange the next minute, clinching Volkanovski against the cage. Makhachev would score the takedown late in the first and went for a face crank, though Volkanovski didn’t seem bothered by it and worked through it.
Volkanovski worked Makhachev’s body early in round two and scored another shot to the head, but Makhachev countered by grabbing a leg and scoring another takedown. Volanovski countered another takedown, getting to his feet quickly. Makhachev backed Volkanovski up with a left hand and a knee. The two ended the round in a Thai clinch against the cage.
Makhachev landed another takedown attempt about halfway through the third round, but Volanovski seemed to have the more effective striking to make it a very close round. Makhachev dominated the fourth round with his grappling — albeit he seemingly could have done a better job with his work — before Volkanovski’s striking helped him lead the fifth round.
Ultimately, all three judges’ scorecards went in Makhachev’s favor, with two 48-47 scores and one 49-46.
UFC 284: Pros react to Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski
Yeah right Islam got his asss whooped
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) February 12, 2023
Volk is still p4p number 2 that was foty so far
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 12, 2023
Volks & Islam put on a hell of a fight ! #UFC284
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 12, 2023
Wow !! little guy is tough #UFC284 ☺️
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) February 12, 2023
Congrats to both Champions!
Volk vs Yair 🔥🔥
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) February 12, 2023
Great fight! Both guys showed some great technique and holes in their game. #UFC284
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) February 12, 2023
Bro wat a fight. Idk about unanimous win tho.fight of the year. #UFC284live
— Erick Gonzalez 👻🌶 (@GhostPepper_UFC) February 12, 2023
Not mad at that at all great fight man
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) February 12, 2023
Awesome fight for sure! #UFC284
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) February 12, 2023
I though Islam won as well.
👏🏽
— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) February 12, 2023
Run it back!! #UFC284
— Darren Elkins (@DarrenElkinsMMA) February 12, 2023
Volks still my pfp #1 😤
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) February 12, 2023
What a great main event between two warriors! Amazing fight! #UFC284
— The Golden Boy (@edmenshahbazyan) February 12, 2023
I feel like volk won the fight overall but 3-2 Islam feels fair. Amazing fight from 2 of the best ever. #UFC284
— Cody Stamann (@CodyStamann) February 12, 2023
That was a tough fight!!! I thought Volk took it. Thoughts? #UFC284
— Jessica Penne (@JessicaPenne) February 12, 2023
That was a bad scorecard. 3-2 Volk lost nothing tonight. He fought better than anyone thought he could. He is as good as anyone at any weight in the world. Great fight overall https://t.co/vsNmW7blvT
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 12, 2023
This fight marked Makhachev’s first defense of the UFC lightweight title since claiming it in a fight with Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in October.
Volkanovski moved up in weight and challenged for the 155-pound title after four successful defenses of the UFC featherweight crown. Volkanovski captured the 145-pound title with a win over Max Holloway at UFC 245. Since then, he’s defended the belt twice more in rematches with Holloway, as well as one time each against Brian Ortega and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung.