The UFC 284 main event between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski delivered, but where does the lightweight champion go from there?
The champion vs. champion main event was an excellent fight. Both Volkanovski and Makhachev had their moments throughout, but when it was all said and done, the lightweight champ retained. UFC president Dana White has said he’s down to see it again, but not immediately.
In the co-main event on the same evening, Yair Rodriguez finished Josh Emmett to become the interim featherweight champion. The UFC boss wants to see Volkanovski unify the titles in his next outing, but Makhchev does not have a clear-cut lightweight opponent in waiting.
Top names in the lightweight division are all booked for upcoming fights, with the exception of former interim champ Dustin Poirier, who is coming off a win over Michael Chandler. Is that win enough to warrant another title shot? Should Makhachev wait out to see who wins between Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush?
That’s what we asked this week’s “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Danny Segura, Matthew Wells and Brian “Goze” Garcia, who weighed in on the topic with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.
Check out their discussion in the video above and don’t miss this week’s full episode below.