PERTH, Australia – Alexander Volkanovski was more durable than Islam Makhachev expected.
Lightweight champion Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) was confident that he could knock out featherweight champ Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) in this past Saturday’s UFC 284 headliner at RAC Arena, but he wasn’t able to. Makhachev did retain his title, though, beating Volkanovski by decision in a back-and-forth battle.
Although he didn’t get the knockout, Makhachev showed vast improvement standing as he stumbled Volkanovski a few times.
