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
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 5
Final round! The fighters embrace.
Hard low kick by Volkanovski, who misses with a barrage of punches. Makhachev with a single, clean left hand.
The pair clinch, and Makhachev cuts Volkanovski around his left eye with a knee.
Volkanovski misses with a hook and is taken down! But he’s straight back to his feet!
UFC 284 LIVE
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 4
Makhachev holds Volkanovski down for the majority of the round, but the final minute sees the fighters exchange numerous punches on the mat as the crowd roars Volk on!
UFC 284 LIVE
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 4
Volkanovski marches forward and fights behind his jab. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Makhachev times a double-leg takedown to perfection.
Volkanovski scoots to the fence, and Makhachev takes his back. The fighters trade punches while also fighting each other’s hands.
UFC 284 LIVE
Volkanovski is told by coach Eugene Bareman that he won that round.
“Did I lose the first two?” he asks.
The reply: “We’re gonna win the next two, so.”
UFC 284 LIVE
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 3
A heavy low kick from the home fighter sees Makhachev stumble.
The Russian clinches Volkanovski then drives him back to the fence and takes him down.
Once again the Aussie stands and reverses the position!
The pair separate, and Makhachev comes forward, landing a left cross.
Makhachev trips under pressure from his opponent, and a grappling exchange follows against the fence. Makhachev is actually the one defending a takedown attempt this time.
UFC 284 LIVE
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 3
The crowd gets right behind Volkanovski again.
The Australian blocks a head kick then lands a clean right hand.
Low kicks from Volkanovski now, who is also showing some good head movement in the striking exchanges.
UFC 284 LIVE
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 2
Lots of feints from Volkanovski. A left hand staggers him, though! Now a knee from Makhachev as he chases the featherweight champion!
Volkanovski is trying to fight smartly, circling away and fighting behind his jab.
Makhachev clinches his opponent and lands more knees – this time to the body.
Volkanovski is able to get in control against the fence as the round ends!
UFC 284 LIVE
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 2
Volkanovski is able to stand and reverse the position! Makhachev lands a knee in close, before the Australian backs away.
More stance-switching from Volkanovski.
UFC 284 LIVE
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 2
Makhachev misses with a hook and eats an uppercut as Volkanovski closes range.
The Russian sees a body kick blocked, with Volkanovski pressing forward now.
He drops Makhachev with a left hook!! Makhachev reacts by shooting for a single-leg takedown, which he secures, but Volkanovski stands against the fence.
UFC 284 LIVE
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 1
A wild exchange on the feet, and Makhachev drops Volkanovski to a knee with a right hook!
He then grabs the featherweight against the fence. He tries for a takedown and just about gets it.
Makhachev takes the back, and Volkanovski is defending against a rear naked choke attempt...
Makhachev settles for a neck crank, and Volkanovski is happy to rest. He even taunts his opponent as the round ends!
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