UFC 284 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Makhachev stream, latest updates and result tonight
Re-live all the action after featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski challenged lightweight title holder Islam Makhachev, and Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett clashed for interim gold
Alexander Volkanovski came up agonisingly short in his bid to become a dual-weight champion at UFC 284, suffering a narrow decision loss to Islam Makhachev on Saturday.
Australian Volkanovski entered and exited the RAC Arena in Perth as featherweight champion, but the lightweight title eluded him as 155lbs champion Makhachev secured a unanimous-decision win in enemy territory.
Volkanovski had promised to disprove doubters who had claimed he was too small to compete with Makhachev, and the 34-year-old did just that, standing almost every time he was taken down – as he had said he would – reversing grappling positions along the fence, and twice dropping the Russian with punches. Makhachev also fought an impressive fight, however, securing some clinical takedowns and dropping Volkanovski to a knee at one point and wobbling the Australian with strikes elsewhere.
Many present in the arena felt that Volkanovski had done enough to dethrone Makhachev, but the scorecards read 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 in the Russian’s favour. In fact, Makhachev will have likely dethroned Volkanovski as the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 fighter come Monday morning, having entered UFC 284 at No 2.
In the co-main event, Yair Rodriguez claimed the interim featherweight title with a second-round submission of Josh Emmett, establishing himself as the next challenger to Volkanovski at 145lbs. Re-live updates and see results from the UFC 284 main card and prelims, below.
UFC 284 LIVE
One more prelim bout to go: Tyson Pedro vs Modestas Bukauskas at light-heavyweight.
UFC 284 LIVE
Josh Culibao def. Melsik Baghdasaryan via second-round submission (rear naked choke, 2:02).
UFC 284 LIVE
Culibao vs Baghdasaryan – Round 2
Culibao told his corner between rounds that he could not breathe. He had three more minutes of permitted recovery time after receiving that low blow – time he probably should have used.
Now, early in the second round, there’s an accidental clash of heads, but the fighters just keep going.
Culibao lands a counter left hand, and Baghdasaryan stumbles to the mat! Culibao pounces as the Armenian falls, taking the back at once and locking in a rear naked choke!
It’s in tight, and Baghdasaryan taps! Culibao gets the submission win – the first of his pro MMA career!
UFC 284 LIVE
Culibao vs Baghdasaryan – Round 1
Culibao is okay to continue. He sees out the final 10 seconds of the round.
UFC 284 LIVE
Culibao vs Baghdasaryan – Round 1
Culibao starts to find his rhythm somewhat with his punches. He blocks a head kick then misses with one of his own.
Baghdasaryan lands a fierce hook, and Culibao is starting to bleed from his nose.
Culibao briefly switches stances, back and forth.
And late in the round, Baghdasaryan connects with Culibao’s groin with a spinning back kick! Ouch. Baghdasaryan wags his finger as Culibao hits the mat, suggesting it was not a low blow.
It was accidental, but it was low, as the broadcast team tell Baghdasaryan through the fence.
Culibao is just taking some time to recover, as is permitted.
UFC 284 LIVE
Culibao vs Baghdasaryan – Round 1
A great reception for Culibao, as expected.
Baghdasaryan takes the centre of the ring early. Culibao is light on his feet, but Baghdasaryan is bouncing, too.
Lots of kick attempts from both men in the opening two minutes, with many of those attempts being blocked.
Baghdasaryan digs a kick into the mid-section of Culibao after some feints with his hands. The southpaw then steps in with a straight left hand.
UFC 284 LIVE
Armenian Baghdasaryan and home fighter Culibao are making their entrances now.
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