Islam Makhachev’s second win over Alexander Volkanovski was much more definitive than the first.
In the UFC 294 main event, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) finished Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) with a head kick and punches at 3:06 of Round 1. The event took place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
A left high kick was the game-changer. It was a tool Makhachev used frequently in their first meeting, a fight he won by unanimous decision at UFC 284 in February.
Volkanovski flopped to the mat, along the cage. Makhachev quickly jumped on top and landed short hammerfists as blood leaked down Volkanovski’s face. That’s when referee Marc Goddard dove in.
After the fight, Makhachev voiced his support for Palestine as conflict in the Middle East continues. Volkanovski used his mic time to ask the UFC for more activity and indicated his plan is to return vs. Ilia Topuria.
ISLAM MAKHACHEV JUST KNOCKED OUT ALEX VOLKANOVSKI 😮 #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/wTiWjMGIiX
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 21, 2023
With the win, Makhachev successfully defends his title for the second time and extends his winning streak to 13. He was initially expected to fight Charles Oliveira, who withdrew due to a cut.
Volkanovski loses for the second time under the UFC banner. His losses to Makhachev bookend a successful featherweight title defense against Yair Rodriguez in July. He is still undefeated in the UFC at featherweight.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 294 results include:
- Islam Makhachev def. Alexander Volkanovski via knockout (head kick, punches) – Round 1, 3:06
- Khamzat Chimaev def. Kamaru Usman via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker declared no contest (accidental illegal blow) – Round 1, 3:13
- Ikram Aliskerov def. Warlley Alves via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:07
- Said Nurmagomedov def. Muin Gafurov via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:13
- Muhammad Mokaev def. Tim Elliott via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 3, 3:03
- Trevor Peek def. Mohammad Yahya via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 30-27)
- Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry declared no contest (accidental groin strike by Basharat) – Round 2, 0:15
- Sedriques Dumas def. Abu Azaitar via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Mike Breeden def. Anshul Jubli via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 3:00
- Muhammad Naimov def. Nathaniel Wood via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Viktoriia Dudakova def. Jinh Yu Frey via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Shara Magomedov def. Bruno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.
