PERTH: Islam Makhachev survived an exhausting five-round war of attrition to retain his UFC lightweight title on Sunday, scoring a unanimous decision victory over Alexander Volkanovski after a thrilling battle at a sold-out RAC Arena.
Stepping up a weight class in an effort to become champion in two divisions, featherweight champ Volkanovski put on a tremendous display at UFC 284, but came up just short.
The fight started with some cagey exchanges in the middle of the octagon, with both fighters landing some heavy strikes before Makhachev used his wrestling to take Volkanovski down, threatening with chokes from the back to end the round.
Having learned his lesson, the 34-year-old Volkanovski did a much better job of dealing with Makhachev's relentless wrestling in the next two rounds to keep the fight on the feet, but the left hand of the taller Russian was always a threat.
Makhachev reversed the tide early in the fourth, landing an early takedown in the centre of the cage and trapping Volkanovski in a punishing body triangle before dominating the rest of the frame with his grappling.
Volkanovski showed tremendous tenacity to counter yet another takedown attempt in the fifth round. He came blazing back, decking Makhachev with a big right hand and pounding his opponent as he sought a knockout finish, but to no avail.
"I showed why I am number one, they have to improve more," Makhachev said in a post-fight interview. "I am the best striker in the world right now."
All three judges gave the fight to the 31-year-old Russian to improve his record to 24-1, while Volkanovski registered the second loss of his professional career to drop to 25-2.
In the co-main event, Yair Rodriguez scored a second-round submission win via triangle choke to win the interim featherweight title, and he will likely meet Volkanovski to decided the undisputed champion.
Reuters
Sun Feb 12 2023
Islam Makhachev survived an exhausting five-round war of attrition to retain his UFC lightweight title on Sunday. - Filepic/REUTERS
Kertas kabinet wujud sektor sukan dibentang dalam tempoh sebulan - Hannah
Hannah berkata dengan data yang lebih menyeluruh melibatkan sektor industri sukan nanti, pihaknya akan mampu merangsang pertumbuhan sukan di negara ini dengan lebih baik.
Tiga Syarikat Semikonduktor umum melabur di Pulau Pinang - Kon Yeow
Tiga syarikat semikonduktor dari China menyatakan komitmen untuk membuat pelaburan baharu di Pulau Pinang.
Pindaan garis panduan lawatan: Sekolah diharap susun semula program - Fadhlina
Semua sekolah diharap dapat menyusun semula program lawatan masing-masing berikutan pindaan Garis Panduan Lawatan Murid Sekolah pada tahun lepas bagi mengukuhkan pembelajaran di luar kelas, kata Menteri Pendidikan, Fadhlina Sidek.
Kebajikan pendidikan anak-anak dijaga sehingga tamat sekolah - KPM
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia akan memastikan kebajikan pendidikan anak-anak 10 pegawai dan anggota Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia yang terkorban dalam nahas helikopter di Lumut, Perak, terus dijaga sehingga mereka tamat persekolahan.
Chegubard ditahan polis berkaitan hantaran mengenai kasino di Forest City
Chegubard ditahan di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Dang Wangi di sini berkaitan hantaran mengenai pengoperasian kasino di Forest City pada Sabtu.
Zahid minta pihak dalam BN buka "buku baharu"
Ahmad Zahid menegaskan senario politik tanah air sudah berubah dan terdapat banyak video lama dari parti lawan yang meminta pengundi menyokong DAP.
Malaysia kongsi pengalaman dalam usaha berterusan mempertahan Palestin
Delegasi negara akan berkongsikan peranan Malaysia dalam usaha berterusan mempertahankan nasib Palestin dalam Persidangan Liga Parlimen Al-Quds kelima yang berlangsung di Istanbul, Turki pada Sabtu.
Universiti Malaya mohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia
Jabatan Pengajian Antarabangsa dan Strategik, Universiti Malaya memohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia berhubung kenytaaan tidak bertanggungjawab Profesor Dr Bruce Gilley pada 24 April lalu.
Genting Malaysia nafi terbabit perbincangan
Selepas Berjaya Corporation Bhd dan Kerajaan Negeri Johor, kini Genting Malaysia Bhd pula menafikan sebarang penglibatan dalam perbincangan mengenai pengoperasian kasino di Forest City, Johor.
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Sabtu, 27 April 2024.
UFC 284: Islam Makhachev kekal kejuaraan lightweight, kini No.1 dalam 'pound for pound'
Islam Makhachev mengekalkan kejuaraan lightweight miliknya selepas mengalahkan Alexander Volkanovski dalam acara utama UFC 284, pada Ahad.