Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev put on a show at UFC 284 in Perth. The fight between the UFC’s featherweight and lightweight champions was just as amazing as promised. The UFC 284 main event went the distance, with all 3 judges having Makhachev as the winner.
But it seems the MMA community is divided on who really won. Verdict MMA, a platform for real-time judging and fight prediction sharing, released their official scorecard in which Alexander Volkanovski won the fight with 3 rounds in the bag. The round which Verdict gave Volk, and the main point of contention is the second round.
#UFC284 Official Scorecards: Islam Makhachev (@MAKHACHEVMMA) vs Alexander Volkanovski
— UFC News (@UFCNews) February 12, 2023
See every judges' scorecard from #UFC284 here ➡️: https://t.co/enKup6T3NK pic.twitter.com/5DJgiyxJdU
In the official scorecard, 2 judges gave Volkanovski the 3rd and 5th rounds, except Derek Cleary who had Makhachev winning, 49-46. However, VerdictMMA’s scorecard disagreed with all 3 judges. Their scorecard gave rounds 2,3, and 5 to the featherweight champion.
Alex Volkanovski defeated Islam Makhachev on the Verdict Scorecard.#UFC284 pic.twitter.com/ZGGF1dkNMO
— Verdict (@VerdictMMA) February 12, 2023
And when Bruce Buffer announced that Islam Makhachev had won the fight, many fans weren’t content with the decision. The unanimous decision win for Makhachev rubbed several people the wrong way. Yet, there were also many who wholly agreed with the official decision. And the fans have made their voices heard on Verdict and social media.
UFC fans slam Dana White and the UFC after controversial judges’ decision during Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski
During the fight, and even after the result was announced, many were convinced that Alexander Volkanovski had won the battle. UFC fighters, news outlets, and fans alike shared this opinion. Nate Diaz was among these people, sharing two tweets on this matter.
Yeah right Islam got his asss whooped
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) February 12, 2023
Volk was robbed
— jacob (@LABlCHE) February 12, 2023
THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY! NO WAY VOLKANOVSKI LOST THIS FIGHT! OUR REACTIONS SAYS IT ALL #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/Qyq3haw75v
— trxlyrob (@bigshot_rob03) February 12, 2023
Many who argued for Volkanovski to win shared a similar opinion about damage. They all felt Volkanovski had done more damage to Islam Makhachev, much like Sean O’Malley did to Petr yan. Fans were also quick to bring up that example and compared it to this fight.
So volk gets more knockdowns and does more damage but loses?
— Connor Peña (@AJenkinsBrother) February 12, 2023
So Alexander Volkanovski somehow LOST to Islam Makhachev but he outstriked him and overall did better. Only thing Islam had was Takedowns & more control time..
— LxckTV (@LxckTV) February 12, 2023
But Petr Yan lost to Sean O'Malley when outstriked him AND had more control time..
THIS IS A ROBBERY 💯
ALEX = 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/wpwK2nr8Zn
Dana White and his judges love Dagistani boys i think. They had to give the belt to Makhachev. It's always about the money.
— Nathan Diaz (@NathanDiaz_209) February 12, 2023
Another robbery imo.#UFC284 pic.twitter.com/PETHCxdEwz
Volk got robbed
— Ryan Fedrau (@the_fed_23) February 12, 2023
However, there were some who agreed with the official decision. They lauded Makhachev for becoming the new P4P #1 fighter in the UFC. Despite the controversy, this is an impressive win and the first title defense for the UFC lightweight champion. After all, his mentor and dear friend, Khabib was not in his corner this time at UFC 284 in Australia.