UFC legend Nate Diaz has told Islam Makhachev he got his "a** whooped" against Alexander Volkanovski despite winning the fight.
Makhachev, 31, defended his lightweight title against featherweight champion Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 284 with scores of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 across the board. Featherweight titleholder Volkanovski was moving up to lightweight for the first time in his UFC career and was attempting to become just the fifth double-champ in promotional history by capturing Makhachev's belt.
The scorecards were somewhat controversial as many fans feel that Volkanovski won the fight despite all three judges scoring it in favour of Makhachev. Diaz echoed this sentiment as he wrote on Twitter "Yeah right Islam got his a** whooped," before also tweeting to Volkanovski: "Congrats".
Makhachev was asked about Diaz's comments at the post-fight press conference to which he nonchalantly replied: "Honestly I don't want to talk about this guy. Maybe he smoked something and watched the fight?" Diaz is an avid marijuana user and has even smoked the substance at press conferences before and after his UFC fights.
Top featherweight contender Arnold Allen also believes Volkanovski deserved to have his hand raised as he tweeted: "Volkanovski won that fight." Former UFC flyweight turned bare-knuckle boxer Bec Rawlings tweeted of the decision: "That’s absolute dog s***! Everyone knows Alexander Volkanovski won the fight."
Both Makhachev and Volkanovski have expressed their interest in a rematch following the conclusion of the thrilling title fight. Volkanovski claims he won rounds two, three and five after rewatching the fight just hours after his defeat. Makhachev, who believes he won all but one of the rounds, praised Volkanovski for being his toughest challenger to date.
How did you score the fight between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski? Let us know in the comments section below
"I prepared for a hard fight, in the last round he landed a good punch but all of the other rounds I won, in my opinion. After he landed the good shot in the last round, I went down and tried to get a triangle choke or armbar. First round I landed good shots many times but this guy is so strong, he always tries to push you," Makhachev told ESPN.
"He was such a short and hard opponent, I needed a tough fight as I have to improve. I thought he was going to be easy on the ground, but this guy improved a lot and I needed a tough guy. I showed why I'm number one, you like or you don't like I am the best fighter in the world right now."
