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In a fight that was even closer than the judges scored, Islam Makhachev defeated Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision.
The win makes Makhachev (24–1) the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, taking the spot formerly held by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski (25–2) put Makhachev through a massive test, forcing him to strike and challenging him on the ground. He also brought Makhachev to the fifth round for the first time in his career, but could not do enough to dethrone the champ.
Makhachev held the edge in the first round, controlling the final couple minutes on the ground following his takedown. But Volkanovski was competitive, and proved he was never in serious danger.
Volkanovski was able to break free from a Makhachev takedown in Round 2, getting back to his feet—just as he promised. This was an extremely competitive round, with Makhachev slightly more effective, especially considering the body kicks and left hand he landed. But Volkanovski was again able to withstand Makhchev’s best.
Grappling defense was a key for Volkanovski in the third round. Makhachev was precise on his feet, but he could not bring Volkanovski to the ground. The last minute likely swung the round in Volkanovski’s favor, as he finally seized control and put Makhachev on defense. Volkanovski won this round on two of the judges’ scorecards, and he should have won it on all three.
Volkanovski’s southpaw stance caused problems for Makhachev, particularly limiting his ability to connect with his jab. But with just over three minutes in the fourth round, Makhachev landed a perfectly-timed takedown. Makhachev locked him in a body triangle, dominating control time, and his only flaw was his inability to finish the fight. Along with the first and second rounds, this round was awarded to Makhachev by all three judges.
For the first time in his career, Makhachev entered the fifth round of a fight, compared to the fifth time in the last six fights for Volkanovski. Maintaining the same incredibly high energy level that kept him competitive, Volkanovski had an answer for everything Makhachev threw at him. Volkanovski stifled Makhachev with a right hand in the final minute, then mounted Makhachev and ended the bout with some damaging ground-and-pound, which won him the round.
Makhachev by decision was the right call. He decisively won three rounds. Judges Ben Cartlidge (49–47, Makhachev) and David Lethaby (49–47, Makhachev) had this scored correctly, but the one flaw was Derek Cleary (49–46, Makhachev) awarding the third round to Makhachev.
Volkanovski wants four fights this year, and his next bout is clear: He will fight newly-crowned interim featherweight champ Yair Rodríguez. For Makhachev, it is harder to gauge. Dustin Poirier remains a favorite, but the field of opponents is crowded. If Makhachev continues to overwhelm opponents, then that could open a window for a rematch against Volkanovski, especially if he is able to steamroll Rodríguez.
Tonight was a test for Makhachev, one that he certainly passed. He overcame a hostile territory, showed off his elite striking and entered the fifth round for the first time in his career. He still controlled the fight on the ground, and though the gap was modest, Makhachev earned that win. There is now no doubt he stands alone as the best in the world.
Main Card Results
Interim Featherweight Title Bout: Rodriguez wins by submission
Yair Rodriguez had never won a UFC bout by submission. Until now.
Rodriguez had many ways to win. Emmett only had one. And versatility won out, as Rodriguez won the interim featherweight title by using a triangle choke to force Emmett to tap out in the second round.
The winning sequence saw Rodriguez hit a knee to Emmett’s body, which was followed up by a right elbow, and then did even more damage with a jump knee right in the neck. Once Rodriguez locked in the triangle choke, it was only a matter of time before it was over.
Rodriguez (15–3, 1 NC) absorbed some punishing shots early on, but he utilized his range exceptionally well. Emmett (18–3) clearly struggled to anticipate what was coming next, and his chances dwindled almost entirely when Rodriguez was able to withstand his power. This loss is crushing for him. It ends a five-fight win streak, and removes him from the title picture.
Rodriguez will have his hands full in the division, with potentially massive upcoming bouts against Alexander Volkanovski and Aljamain Sterling. Yet those are welcome challenges. Rodriguez elevates himself to a new level with the win, getting his first taste of UFC gold.
Welterweight Bout: Jack Della Maddalena makes convincing case for top 15 ranking
Jack Della Maddalena didn’t even break a sweat.
The native of Perth, Australia gave his home crowd a reason to erupt, submitting Randy Brown in the opening round.
Two minutes into the fight, Maddalena (14–2) closed the distance, then dropped Brown with a looping right hook to the chin. He followed that up with a vicious flurry of hammer fists, then took Brown’s neck and ended the fight with a rear naked choke.
Maddalena has won 14 in a row, and this was his fourth UFC win. Brown (16–5), who had won four in a row, was his toughest test—and Maddalena made awfully quick work of him. He should absolutely break his way into the top 15 with this win, and there is no limit to the heights Maddalena can reach in the welterweight division.
Heavyweight Bout: Tafa knocks out Porter
That was quick.
Justin Tafa knocked out Parker Porter, perfectly timing a left-right combination to end the fight in the opening round.
This was a significant moment for Tafa (6–3), who wins the fight in front of his fans back home in Australia. He was set up with a favorable matchup against Porter (12–8), but he needed to go out and deliver—and he did.
There weren’t any long-term stakes in this bout, but it helps build momentum for Tafa.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Menifield and Crute go the distance
UFC 284 opened with a banger. Until the finish.
Jimmy Crute and Alonzo Menifield fought to a majority draw, wiping away the momentum from an entertaining bout.
Crute (12-3-1) controlled the early parts of the first round, until Menifield began dropping haymakers. His best shot at ending the fight came in the final seconds, when Menifield (13-3-1) dropped Crute with a shot. It was an impressive turnaround, as Menifield took an early onslaught and adapted while still keeping his speed and power.
Crute struggled to stand in the pocket and exchange with Menifield. That was the case repeatedly in the second round, with Menifield’s left jab being a constant problem for Crute. The amount of punishment Crute absorbed was remarkable, but he recovered to deliver a takedown with just over a minute left in the second.
Two key parts of the third round were Menifield losing a point for a clear fence grab, and a picturesque takedown from Crute with just over three minutes left in the fight. The third was a dominating round for Crute, exactly what he needed.
Ranked 12th in the division, the win would have been critical for Crute as he climbs toward the top 10.
Preview
UFC 284 is already a record-setting event.
The event, which takes place later tonight, in Perth, Australia at the RAC Arena is already listed as a sellout of 15,000, Sports Illustrated has learned. It has generated a gate of $5.8m AUD, making this the highest-grossing event in Australian arena history.
Headlined by Alexander Volkanovski challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight championship, the 284 card also includes an interim featherweight bout pitting Yair Rodriguez against Josh Emmett. It will be a compelling slate of fights, but with all due respect to the fighters on the card, it is the main event that everyone is awaiting.
If Volkanovski can defeat Makhachev, it will change the future of the lightweight division—and potentially the featherweight division, too. Already the reigning featherweight champ, Volkanovski has announced his intent to defend both belts if he wins at 284, but that will be incredibly hard to do. With the money and excitement all surrounding future bouts at lightweight, it is far more likely that a win would mark the beginning of the end for Volkanovski at featherweight.
If Makhachev wins, his reign of dominance continues. He will be universally considered the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and his legend would climb to new heights.
This fight is a clash of styles with high stakes, and it determines the very best in the world.
