Islam Makhachev spoiled Alexander Volkanovski's hopes of becoming double-champ as he outpointed the Australian to defend his lightweight belt at UFC 284.
Featherweight champion Volkanovski was moving up to lightweight for the first time in his UFC career by facing the division's undisputed champion Makhachev. The Russian won the 155lb belt when he tapped out Charles Oliveira last October in Abu Dhabi, whilst Volkanovski has held the featherweight title since 2019.
The size difference was inevitable from the opening bell as they exchanged strikes on the feet in a tense beginning. Makhachev came out on top in the first big exchange of the fight as Volkanovski got reckless with his punches and was briefly dropped by a left hook from the Russian. Makhachev secured back control and was attempting to secure a face crank submission, but Volkanovski did well to defend and see out the round.
