Australian champion Alexander Volkanovski fails to wrestle second UFC title in epic bout

Alexander Volkanovski soaks up the home crowd’s support before his fight with Islam Makhachev. Photograph: Richard Wainwright/EPA

Alexander Volkanovski has fallen short in his bid to become the first Australian to simultaneously hold two UFC titles, losing to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in Perth.

In front of a raucous sold-out crowd at RAC Arena on Sunday, Volkanovski could not overcome Russian grappler Makhachev in a headline fight which went the distance across five rounds.