UFC 294: Islam Makhachev takes out Alexander Volkanovski to defend lightweight crown – MMA Crossfire
Islam Makhachev left no doubt this time at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, defeated Alexander Volkanovski to defend his lightweight crown at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. Makhachachev used a left headkick to knock Volkovski down and then followed up with hammerfists to secure the win. This win was the 13th consecutive for Makhov, giving him a 2-0 advantage over Volkanova. The loss was the second consecutive for Volkanovsky, who was coming in on 11 days short notice when his challenger Charles Oliveira pulled out due to an injury. Kenai Andrews commented on the win, noting that it was a clean and tidy win and that Naimov now has a good sense of what it takes to compete in the UFC now. The next UFC event is UFC Fight Night 231, scheduled for Saturday Nov. 4 at the Ginásio do Ibirapuera in Brazil.
Published : 2 years ago by KenaiAndrews in Sports
Islam Makhachev left no doubt this time at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.
Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, used a left headkick to penetrate the guard of featherweight champion challenger Alexander Volkanovski and knock him down, then followed up with hammerfists for the high-stakes victory at the Etihad Arena.
Things started relatively well for Volkanovski (25-1-0), 31, who was coming in on 11 days short notice when original challenger Charles Oliveira pulled out with an injury. Volkanovski (26-3-0), 35, stuffed a takedown, and reversed the clinch against the fence moments before the shot that ended the fight.
But Makhachev said in the post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier that he was sizing up Volkanovski by feeding him low kicks and then went up high and found the target.
The win was the 13th consecutive for Makhachev and gave him the definitive 2-0 edge in the rivalry with Volkanovski. When asked who he wanted to fight next in his division, he pointed to UFC president Dana White and asked him to find somebody.
The loss was the second consecutive for Volkanovski
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the fight.
Andrews: Shara went in there and got the job done despite not getting the finish.
Andrews: Silva has lost three of his last four and the table appears set for the undefeated Magomedov to make an emphatic debut.
Andrews: Frey is still competitive, but is now a gatekeeper despite Dudakova missing weight.
Andrews: Give Naimov credit for using the energy of the crowd to spur him on to victory.
Andrews: Hard luck for Jubli, who was trying to make India proud. Breeden got the win, but missed weight doing it.
Andrews: Abu made it close, but Dumas pulled through as expected.
Andrews: Yahya now has a good sense of what it takes to compete in the UFC now.
Andrews: Mokaev grounded down Elliott more than I thought. A submission win is icing on the cake.
Andrews: Wow! Muin gave Said his neck and Said took full advantage. Clean and tidy win.
Andrews: Wow! To get a guy like Alves out of there that quick is impressive.
Andrews: As much as I love the veteran Alves, Aliskerov takes this one by decision.
Andrews: Mass confusion. I guess Walker was confused and didn’t appear ready to resume but the referee should have let Walker take more time before asking him.
Andrews: Give Usman credit for fighting back after getting dominated in the first round. That could open up another page on how to beat Khamzat.
Andrews: Alex did what he could to try and start fast and he was getting there. But then the kick that went right through his guard reaffirmed that Islam is just too good. But give Alex credit for trying om 11 days short notice and all hail Islam.
The next UFC event is UFC Fight Night 231, which is scheduled for Saturday Nov. 4 at the Ginásio do Ibirapuera in São Paulo, Brazil. Jailton Almedia takes on Derrick Lewis in the heavyweight main event.
Topics: Islam, MMA, UFC