UFC 284 has been an absolute whirlwind of an event so far! With the fights coming thick and fast, we are finally at the end of the line, the fight everyone’s been waiting for. As such, let’s take a look at the main event of the evening, Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski.
Starting off with Round 1, the fighters did not throw anything too crazy and felt out each other for the most part. Islam had a chance for a submission but chose not to follow it through, showing a lot of patience.
Unfazed to this point… #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/WDJEYun6BX
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
Round 2 started with a flurry and Makhachev got a good early takedown. Here we see a lot of the work that Volkanovski has put into preparing for Islam. The featherweight champ showed impressive grappling reversing positions from time to time and stuffing 5 out of 9 takedowns in the fight. In the third, Volk landed some good shots to the body of Makhachev, who replied with crisp leg kicks of his own.
Inside the Volkanovski corner after 2 rounds 🔊 #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/20WWlHvPLx
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
Imagine… 😳 #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/gePqvOB25d
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
In the 4th round, we also saw both fighters upping the pace with Makhachev landing a big right hook on Volk, cutting him above the left eye. The fight has been back and forth with a lot of counters, making for a great fight thus far. Despite being behind on the cards, Volk still put up a great fight and nullified a lot of what Islam had to offer.
We just witnessed an ALL TIMER 🙌 #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/Abd1D0T24S
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
AS ADVERTISED. #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/1KbHnkr7q4
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
Opponents for 25 minutes
Partners in history forever 👏 #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/4wICW3XpTO
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
Throughout the fight, we’ve seen great counters from both sides and Islam delivered another beautiful counter takedown in Round 4. Makhachev then took the back and ended the round there. Now in the final round, Volkanovski needs a finish to win this one. In a huge round from Volk, he dropped Makhachev, going absolutely ballistic on the Dagestani, landing some vicious drop shots before the bell rings.
UFC 284: Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski- judges scorecards and fan reactions
The fight ends and the crowd erupts, hailing Volkanovski and the awesome performance he put in. For many, Volk has just done the unthinkable, taking Islam into deep waters and giving him a hell of a fight. Thereafter, Bruce Buffer read out the scorecards declaring Islam the winner by unanimous decision ( 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46).
The full #UFC284 main event scorecards 📝 pic.twitter.com/zCx1YmqcFb
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
The immediate crowd reaction is one of disappointment, and understandably so. Volkanovski put in an exemplary performance in an amazing fight, however, he really needed that finish to win. A bruised and tired Islam then took the mic, thanking Alex for an amazing fight, and calling for more tough fights like this one. Islam admits to being impressed with Volkanovski’s ground game and gives him his props.
Volkanovski, like the class act he is, also had a say on the mic. He congratulates Makhachev and admits that he maybe left it a little late on the night. The Aussie points out that he did not respect Islam’s striking while Islam didn’t respect his grappling and wrestling. “He didn’t respect my wrestling and grappling, and I guess maybe I didn’t respect his striking enough ’cause he landed some good shots. So fair play to both of us”.
Let’s see what the fans had to say about this one.
So if the fight was as close as everyone is saying shouldn't @alexvolkanovski still be P4P #1? I mean, he's proved he's the best at 145 and basically just as good as the best 155er. Could @MAKHACHEVMMA do the same?
Either way, they're both beasts! Stoked for both of them! #UFC284— Adam | Building from Hawaii (@tauflife) February 12, 2023
One thing Volk proved tonight is that islam is very chinny #UFC284
— BC. (@BX_10__) February 12, 2023
https://twitter.com/TonyA22674918/status/1624656870656073728
One of the greatest fights I have seen! Both fighters rose to the occasion and delivered a battle! Congrats to Islam and big ups to Volk for taking the challenge!! Man, I love the UFC!
#UFC284— Eric Carrillo (@ECarrillo_) February 12, 2023
Congrats Islam but Volk is one hell of a fighter. Stood up to the challenge and brought it to Islam. For me, he deserves more respect and should be mentioned amongst the greats in UFC #UFC284
— Khaniverous (@khaniverous) February 12, 2023
Joe Rogan says Alexander Volkanovski should've been the winner against Islam Makhachev #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/vUkN3PRW0r
— SOUND (@itsavibe) February 12, 2023
Moving forward, Volkanovski will now have his sights set on a title unification bout with Yair Rodriguez. However, despite the loss, Volk states that he will come back for the lightweight title again in the future. As such, Volk admits that he would like to stay active and issues a warning for all featherweights, stating that this fight has made him much more dangerous.
What did you make of Volk’s performance on the night? Did you think Islam really won the fight? How will Volk perform when he returns to featherweight? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.