ISLAM MAKHACHEV prevailed in a thrilling contest against Alexander Volkanovski in Australia to win the title of UFC pound-for-pound champion.
But Nate Diaz and ESPN pundit Laurie Horesh have both expressed their unhappiness at the result, after the Russian won via a unanimous decision.
Aussie Volkanovski, fighting in front of a Perth crowd, was ultimately undone by Makhachev’s wrestling skills.
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Pimblett called out
Rising Aussie star Jamie Mullarkey called out one of the UFC’s star names, after beating Francisco Prado by unanimous decision.
When he was asked who he would like to fight next following his victory, Mullarkey said: “I’m glad you asked – there’s this lad that thinks he can’t get knocked out because of where he’s from.
“Paddy Pimblett, get in the cage with me and I’ll put that Scouser chin to the test son.”
Daylight robbery
Fans claim that Alexander Volkanovski was robbed of victory against Islam Makhachev.
The Aussie narrowly lost via unanimous decision in favour of the Russian.
The judges scorecards read “48-47, 48-47 and 49-46”.
But many supporters believe Volkanovski did enough to win the fight with his attacking style despite Makhachev pinning him to the canvas in spells.
UFC legend Nate Diaz tweeted: “Yeah right Islam got his ass whooped.”
ESPN’s Laurie Horesh said: “Who on earth scored that 49-46? Laughable.”
And the tweets kept coming: “There’s absolutely no way that was a unanimous decision. That’s disgraceful.”
A fourth said: “Ain’t no way!!! Volk was robbed!!!!!!”
Tafa reacts after snub
Justin Tafa wasn’t happy to be snubbed of a performance bonus at UFC 284.
Tafa took on Parker Potter – knocking his opponent out in just 60 seconds.
After the fight, he took to Twitter to complain: “No 50k? Like a walk off KO should be automatic.”
Volk’s reaction
Volkanoski’s reaction after Makhachev defeat: “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.”
Khabib’s praise for Makhachev
Khabib Nurmagomedov took to Instagram and Twitter to praise Islam Makhachev following his victory over Alexander Volkanovski.
He wrote on Instagram: “Simply the best.
“Proved it in a hard, competitive fight against the best active fighter on the planet.
“There is always something to work on.
“But this story will remain for a long time in this sport.
“Just have a flashback on your memory of who topped the best regardless of weight category from Eurasia in the history of MMA, there were only a couple of fighters and Islam was already on that list.”
Rodriguez’s message to Emmett
Yair Rodriguez had a post-fight message for Josh Emmett, after forcing him into submission before consoling him at the end of their scrap.
He said: “This is a really important moment for us, and when I finished the triangle, I could see in his expression the desperation of like, ‘F***, I lost.
“It’s like he saw his opportunity go away, but I just wanted to say to him, ‘No.’ I told him, ‘No, No. Hey, no. Stop that thinking that you have right now. You’re a warrior. You will overcome this. You got this.’
“So the only thing I could say to him was, ‘You’re a warrior, brother.’ We find a way to stand up every time we fall to the ground. So I am sure he will do that, and stay strong, and I’m sure we’ll see each other in the future. So stay strong brother.”
Paul and KSI booed
The crowd in Australia booed Logan Paul and KSI when they were shown on the big screens at the RAC Arena.
The founders of the Prime energy drink were in attendance as their much-wanted product has become sponsors of the UFC.
Their faces were flashed for fans to seen and they were jeered by fans.
The duo saw the funny side and begun bursting out with laughter.
Volkanovski wants rematch
Alexander Volkanovski is unhappy at his unanimous decision defeat to Islam Makhachev and has taken to Twitter wanting a rematch.
Many fans felt he put up a good fight and the judges were wrong to score in the Russian’s favour, especially with one card coming in at 49-46.
Volkanovski has tweeted: “Just watched the fight, I definitely think I won 2,3 and 5.
“Surprised I didn’t get my hand raised! Let’s do the rematch, anywhere, anytime!”
Volkanovski robbed?
Fans claim that Alexander Volkanovski was robbed of victory against Islam Makhachev.
The Aussie narrowly lost via unanimous decision in favour of the Russian.
The judges scorecards read “48-47, 48-47 and 49-46”.
But many supporters believe Volkanovski did enough to win the fight with his attacking style despite Makhachev pinning him to the canvas in spells.
UFC legend Nate Diaz tweeted: “Yeah right Islam got his ass whooped.”
ESPN’s Laurie Horesh said: “Who on earth scored that 49-46? Laughable.”
And the tweets kept coming: “There’s absolutely no way that was a unanimous decision. That’s disgraceful.”
A fourth said: “Ain’t no way!!! Volk was robbed!!!!!!”
Khabib praises Makhachev
Khabib Nurmagomedov took to Instagram and Twitter to praise Islam Makhachev following his victory over Alexander Volkanovski.
He wrote on Instagram: “Simply the best.
“Proved it in a hard, competitive fight against the best active fighter on the planet.
“There is always something to work on.
“But this story will remain for a long time in this sport.
“Just have a flashback on your memory of who topped the best regardless of weight category from Eurasia in the history of MMA, there were only a couple of fighters and Islam was already on that list.”
Khabib Time
Islam Makhachev received a FaceTime from his good friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov moments after seeing off Alexander Volkanovski.
“I need some crazy fight”
It looks like Islam Makhachev thoroughly enjoyed his barnburner with Alexander Volkanovski.
Scorecards
Here are the scorecards for the thrilling main event.
Volk speaks
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.”
Makhchev speaks
“You like or you don’t like, I am best fighter in the world right now!”
And still!!
Islam Makhachev defeats Alexander Volkanovsi via unanimous decision.
The judges scored the fight 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 in the Russian’s favour.
What a fight!
They go the distance. An incredible fight by both men.
The close second round could end up determining the winner. But I have Makahchev winning.
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 5
Volk paws out at the champion with jabs as he continues to feint.
But he eats a big straight left hand that snaps back his head.
A big counter knee up the middle lands for the champion and briefly quietens the crowd.
More knees in the clinch for Makhachev opens Volkanovski.
A takedown attempt from Makhachev is stuffed by a bloody Volk and the arena goes bananas
Makhachev ducks under a punch from Volk and shoots for a takedown.
Volk does an incredible job of stuffing it and getting back to his feet.
Volk pressures the champion against the fence and lands a good left hand.
They break and a tired Makhachev checks he clock.
Makhachev gets dropped by a huge right hand with a minute to go.
Volk is going to work from full guard – dropping bombs on the champion.
But the Makhachev survives until the final horn. What a fight!
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 4
Makhachev is happy to trade strikes once again.
But he grounds the fight with a beautifully-timed takedown a minute-a-and-half into the round.
Volk bizarrely speaks to Makhachev’s corner as he tries to stop the Dagestani from taking his back.
Makhachev does manage to take the back and secures the position with a body lock.
Volk is having a real hard time shaking the champ off him but is trying to frustrate him with punches over his head.
But Makhachev ends the round in the dominant position.
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 3
The crow rallies behind their man at the start of the third, which sees Volk avoid a left head kick.
Two nice body kicks land for the champion but Volkanovski is undeterred.
An inside leg kick briefly unbalanced Makhachev but Volk is unable to capitalise.
Makhachev shoots for a takedown midway through the round and manages to ground the challenger.
But Volk manages to work his way back to his feet and forces a clinch of his own against the fence.
They trade heavy leather on the break.
A good counter left lands for Makhachev as Volk comes in. That’s not the first time that counter has landed.
Makhachev loses his balance after a leg kick but pops back up to his feet.
Volk doesn’t give him any breathing space but is unable to land anything significant.
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 2
Volk starts the second round as he did the first, looking to feint his way in but with less footwork.
Makhachev misses with a telegraphed left hand that draws a big reaction from the crowd.
Makhachev appears to get dropped as he retreats but transitions to a takedown.
Volk manages to get back to his feet but has yet to shake off Makhachev.
Makhachev tries to bring the fight back to the ground but Volk manages to pop right back up.
Volk lands a nice knee on the break.
And now it’s Volk trying to force a takedown against the cage.
They separate and are back to striking in the centre of the cage.
A huge counter left hand stuns Volk after he recklessly entered striking and puts him in retreat mode.
But he recovers quickly.
Makhachev initiates a Thai clinch against the fence but gets reversed and ends.
The round ends.
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 1
They touch glove sand they’re off.
Makhachev looks huge in comparison to Volk, who is happy to operate on the outside and look to feint his way in.
Chants of “Ole, ole, ole” ring throughout the RAC Arena in support of the challenger Volkanovski.
Makhachev lands a good body kick on the advancing Volkanovski.
Lots of stance switches from Volk to try and overload the mind of Makhachev.
A good right hand lands from Volk and sends Makhachev backwards.
The crowd pops but Volk doesn’t get too reckless and bides his time.
Volkanovski gets knocked down following a wild exchange but gets back up to his feet.
But Makhachev presses him up against the fence and looks to take him down.
And he gets it. Makhachev quickly moves to the back of Volk and has the body lock.
He’s looking to cinch in a rear-naked choke but it’s not there. Now he’s going for a neck crank, but Volk rides it out and smiles before the end of the round.
Moments away from the big one
We’re just minutes away from the eagerly-anticipated champion vs champion bout between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski.
Does Volk have what it takes to snap Makhachev’s 11-fight win streak and become a two-weight champion?
Or will the Dagestani destroy reign supreme in his first title defence?
We’ll soon find out.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA â FEBRUARY 11: Islam Makhachev of Russia and Alex Volkanovski of Australia face off during the ceremonial weigh-ins ahead of UFC 284 at RAC Arena on February 11, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Interim king crowned
Yair Rodriguez is the interim featherweight champion thanks to a second-round triangle choke.
El Pantera was truly in a flow state and was rarely in trouble.
His unification fight with Alexander Volkanovski is going to be a banger.
