UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev confirmed off his full arsenal to finish his rivalry with Alexander Volkanovski.
Islam Makhachev, a high protege of UFC Corridor of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, rose to championship prominence resulting from his elite wrestling base and ferocious fashion. However in a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294, Makhachev confirmed off elite hanging to spherical out his full arsenal.
Makhachev and Volkanovski competed in a ‘Struggle of the Yr’ candidate at UFC 284, with Makhachev strolling away with a call victory. It nonetheless stands as arguably the hardest check of Makhachev’s profession in a battle that some consider Volkanovski deserved the nod on the judges’ scorecards.
The rematch, nevertheless, wasn’t aggressive.
Islam Makhachev proved to be greater than a wrestler in a wild KO win at UFC 294
After Charles Oliveira suffered a nasty minimize simply days earlier than UFC 294, the UFC matchmakers scrambled to discover a short-notice substitute to face Makhachev. Volkanovski, who had defeated Yair Rodriguez to defend the UFC featherweight belt simply months earlier at UFC 290, minimize a big bulk of weight to fill in towards Makhachev and run again their immediate basic matchup.
After taking over the short-notice problem, some believed Volkanovski might shock the world and dethrone Makhachev on days discover. However Makhachev put an emphatic finish to his rivalry with Volkanovski with a ‘Knockout of the Yr’ candidate.
Volkanovski teased a quick begin at UFC 294, and had some constructive moments within the first two minutes of the battle. He utilized leg kicks and speedy motion to evade Makhachev’s advances.
However it didn’t take lengthy for Makhachev to seek out his footing, and when he did, fireworks ensued. Makhachev landed a large head kick, adopted up by vicious ground-and-pound, to retain the light-weight championship.
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Left little question within the rematch
@MakhachevMMA is your ultimate nominee for #UFCHonors Fan Alternative Knockout of the Yr!
[ Voting starts Dec. 26th | B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/7bXLn0tuYW
— UFC (@ufc) December 8, 2023
Islam Makhachev is on a collision course with a present UFC titleholder
Two years later, Makhachev is the UFC’s pound-for-pound king and is within the midst of one of the crucial dominant title reigns in combined martial arts historical past. For his subsequent UFC light-weight title protection, Makhachev might doubtlessly face UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in a large superfight.
Topuria will make the full-time transfer to light-weight as he vacates the title forward of UFC 314. Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will sq. off for the vacant belt within the UFC 314 major occasion, marking the sudden finish of Topuria’s title reign.
Makhachev and Topuria might doubtlessly face off within the subsequent light-weight title battle, regardless of some hesitance from Makhachev’s team. UFC CEO Dana White has remained quiet on Topuria’s next fight, main many to invest that the belt will possible be on the road for his light-weight return.
Makhachev defeated Renato Moicano in his most up-to-date light-weight title protection at UFC 311. He was initially purported to face Arman Tsarukyan, earlier than Tsarukyan withdrew on hours’ notice resulting from damage.
Makhachev’s subsequent title protection may very well be introduced within the coming weeks, and no matter his opponent, the pound-for-pound king will look to defend the throne.
