Islam Makhachev

The lightweight champion declared this after defeating Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision Saturday night. After using a mix of superb wrestling and ...

Not only did the lightweight world champion extend his winning streak to 12, but should also take over the top spot on the pound-for-pound list considering Volkanovski was No. Though he got his stiffest challenge to date Saturday night, Makhachev (24-1) certainly makes his declaration hard to dispute following his big win. 1," Makhachev told ESPN+ in the Octagon, referring to the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings. "They have to improve more. Thank you." "I showed why I'm No.

Who should get the next shot at lightweight champion Islam Makhachev after his UFC 284 title defense? He has a couple of options.

Makhachev defeated Alexander Volkanosvk at the event in Perth in a thriller that saw the Russian win by unanimous decision. Volkanosvk was trying to become ...

Proved it in a hard, competitive fight against the best active fighter on the planet. [Makhachev defeated Alexander Volkanosvk at the event in Perth](/sport/mma/article-11741563/Islam-Makhachev-DEFENDS-lightweight-title-Alexander-Volkanovski-falls-painfully-short-UFC-284.html) in a thriller that saw the Russian win by unanimous decision. Let's do the rematch, anywhere, anytime!' .But you didn't come.'" He said: 'He was so nervous. [Makhachev defeated Volkanosvk in the main event in Perth in a thrilling fight](/sport/mma/article-11741563/Islam-Makhachev-DEFENDS-lightweight-title-Alexander-Volkanovski-falls-painfully-short-UFC-284.html)

Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall take to Spotify Live immediately after a wild Sunday morning in Perth, Western Australia.

Who should get the next shot at lightweight champion Islam Makhachev after his UFC 284 title defense? He has a couple of options.

Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Makhachev’s future after UFC 284. He has to fight someone, though. [Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Alexander Volkanovski after UFC 284 loss?](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/02/ufc-284-matchmaker-alexander-volkanvoski-next-fight-loss-title-yair-rodriguez)) [Islam Makhachev](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/islam-makhachev) welcomed the challenge of fellow champion Alexander Volkanovski’s move up in weight for the historic [UFC 284](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/events/ufc-284) headliner, and ultimately he emerged victorious.

5. Loma Lookboonmee levels up · 4. Jack Della Maddalena continues to roll · 3. Yair Rodriguez shines to claim interim gold · 2. Alexander Volkanovski deserves ...

1 pound-for-pound spot, and someone is going to need the performance a lifetime to take it away from him. But even with that slight bias in trying to look smart, I can’t come away from watching that fight live from cageside and claim Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) lost, or Volkanovski was robbed. He’s an absolute beast, and if you don’t think this five-round battle where he was tested to his very limit is going to make him better going forward, you’re kidding yourself. Instead, he decided to challenge himself and try to become just the fifth simultaneous two-division champion in company history. Volkanovski dared to be great when he could’ve been more risk-averse and protected his position, and that’s a mindset many people should take inspiration from. Volkanovski pushed Makhachev harder and further than anyone else has inside the octagon, and he was right on the cusp of getting it done. He’s a multi-layered threat in that cage, and every single one of his fights is a must-watch. Of course, it was indeed the power in his punches that floored Brown and set up the rear-naked choke, but the fact Maddalena had the wherewithal to seamlessly switch to the choke instead of punching goes to show he’s got some well-rounded instincts. And though he’s still not quite there with the interim belt rather than the undisputed one, he’s finally reached the level his supporters hope to see him at. He’s got an all-time great fighter waiting for him, but if he can get the job done, we’ll have to reassess the entire spectrum of Rodriguez’s career. Lookboonmee (8-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) is a noted Thai striker, and had never finished a fight in the UFC. He’s dealt with injuries, spats with the UFC brass and more as he’s tried to navigate his way to the top.

Popular podcaster and UFC colour commentator Joe Rogan was visibly shocked when Islam Makhachev was awarded victory over Alexander Volkanovski, ...

Oh my God. It was a fun fight and maybe I could have capitalised on some positions a bit more. 'I knew he was really good but that I'd prepared properly. 'We were just – we were convinced – we might have been biased. We might have to watch it. 'Oh my God.