Islam Makhachev survived an exhausting five-round warfare of attrition to retain his UFC light-weight title on Sunday, scoring a unanimous determination victory over Alexander Volkanovski after an exhilarating battle at a sold-out RAC Area. Stepping up a weight class in an effort to develop into champion in two divisions, featherweight champ Volkanovski placed on an incredible show at UFC 284, however got here up simply quick.
The combat began with some cagey exchanges in the course of the octagon, with each fighters touchdown some heavy strikes earlier than Makhachev used his wrestling to take Volkanovski down, threatening with chokes from the again to finish the spherical.
Having realized his lesson, the 34-year-old Volkanovski did a significantly better job of coping with Makhachev’s relentless wrestling within the subsequent two rounds to maintain the combat on the ft, however the left hand of the taller Russian was at all times a menace.
Makhachev reversed the tide early within the fourth, touchdown an early takedown within the centre of the cage and trapping Volkanovski in a punishing physique triangle earlier than dominating the remainder of the body together with his grappling.
Volkanovski confirmed great tenacity to counter one more takedown try within the fifth spherical. He got here blazing again, decking Makhachev with a giant proper hand and pounding his opponent as he sought a knockout end, however to no avail.
“I confirmed why I’m primary, they’ve to enhance extra,” Makhachev mentioned in a post-fight interview. “I’m the most effective striker on the earth proper now.”
All three judges gave the combat to the 31-year-old Russian to enhance his file to 24-1, whereas Volkanovski registered the second lack of his skilled profession to drop to 25-2.
Within the co-main occasion, Yair Rodriguez scored a second-round submission win through triangle choke to win the interim featherweight title, and he’ll probably meet Volkanovski to determined the undisputed champion.
This story has been revealed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content.