Perth: Islam Makhachev defended himself. The ultimate fighting championship (UFC) lightweight world title on Sunday, wearing down Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski on both his feet and the ground to secure a unanimous points decision in Perth.
Russia’s Makhachev derailed Australia’s campaign to become the fifth fighter to hold two world titles simultaneously. History of the UFCDespite a fiercely partisan crowd.
“Very tough opponent,” said a breathless Makhachev after a thrilling top-of-the-bill bout at UFC284. “I’m the greatest fighter in the world right now.”
Makhachev, 31, extended his unbeaten streak The UFC Up to 12 fights and his overall record reached 24-1 as he made good on his threats to overwhelm the diminutive Australian, the judges’ cards were reading 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.
The surprise from Makhachev was his surprise, as he picked up his shots with precision landing lefts and checking rights.
The Russian also landed four trademark takedowns to leave a frantic Volkanovski scrambling for answers.
A huge right from the Australian landed late in the fifth to get the local heart rate up but Makhachev held on.
Born in Dagestan, Makhachev has been trained throughout his career by Khabib Nurmagomedov – arguably the world’s greatest fighter. History of the UFC – and boasted 11 submissions on his record coming into Perth.
Makhachev was expected to take the fight to the floor early, but the Australian’s fitness and ground defense went the distance.
It all came down to a number of strikes being thrown by Makhachev and a large number of takedowns being executed.
The win moved Makhachev above Volkanovski in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings.
“I showed why I’m number one,” Makhachev said. “You guys need to improve. I thought he would be easy on the ground but this guy proved me wrong.”
Vulcanoski had moved up from featherweight for the fight, looking to clip one. A place in history.
Only Conor McGregor (featherweight, featherweight), Daniel Cormier (light heavyweight, heavyweight), Amanda Nunes (bantamweight, featherweight) and Henry Cejudo (flyweight, bantamweight) have done it twice before. UFC belts at the same time.
Instead, it was Makachev who was pondering how he could secure his place among the game’s all-time greats.
“I just need to fight some tougher guys,” he said.
Volkanovski will likely defend his featherweight belt against second-ranked Mexican Yair Rodriguez, who previously won the interim belt with a second-round submission of American Josh Emmett to secure the promise of a title shot. .
“Just because I got pulled up short tonight doesn’t change anything,” Volkanovski said.
“I’ll be back but now let me go and settle this featherweight division.”
Australian rising welterweight Jake Della Maddalena lit up the field earlier when he knocked out veteran American Randy Brown to make it four first-round finishes in his four UFC fights.