UFC 294 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Makhachev – fight results after shock KO
Re-live updates from the lightweight-title rematch and co-main event, plus undercard action in Abu Dhabi
Islam Makhachev stunned Alexander Volkanovski with a first-round knockout on Saturday, retaining the lightweight title in their rematch at UFC 294.
In February, Makhachev outpointed Volkanovski – who holds the featherweight belt – in the latter’s native Australia, in a competitive clash that left many fans desiring a rematch. Few expected it to come at UFC 294, but 11 days before the event, Makhachev’s original challenger Charles Oliveira suffered a severe cut over his eye. And with that, the door opened for Volkanovski.
The 35-year-old relished the chance to avenge his narrow loss to Makhachev, but there was to be no revenge for him – only a repeat as the Russian triumphed again, and in finer fashion this time.
Midway through the first round of the main event, southpaw Makhachev skimmed his left shin off Volkanovski’s head, wobbling and dropping the featherweight king. Makhachev, 31, followed up with a fierce flurry of hammer fists to the grounded Aussie, whose brow split open amid the onslaught. Referee Marc Goddard stepped in, confirming an emphatic victory and title defence for Makhachev.
Re-live updates and results from the UFC 294 main card and prelims, below.
UFC 294 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev
Makhachev: “I showed him first a couple of low and body kicks, then I changed to a high kick. This is something we trained for a couple months – for Oliveira, and nothing changed here.”
The Russian also thanks Volkanovski and pays tribute to the featherweight king.
UFC 294 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev def. Alexander Volkanovski via first-round KO (head kick and hammer fists, 3:06).
“Congratulations,” Volk tells Islam after the result is declared.
No disputing it now; Islam is the pound-for-pound No 1. Jon Jones’s past indiscretions with performance-enhancing substances count against him, in our list.
UFC 294 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev
The fighters embrace.
Makhachev tells Daniel Cormier at ringside: “I told you, I told everybody.”
He did. His left shin skimmed off Volk’s head and dropped the Aussie, who could not defend against the ensuing onslaught of hammer fists.
Somewhere in that flurry, Volk was cut badly across his eyebrow – I believe.
UFC 294 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev
Round 1
Hard left hook lands clean to the head of Volk! But he seems unfazed.
OH! A HEAD KICK WOBBLES AND DROPS VOLK, AND MAKHACHEV POURS ON HAMMER FISTS!
AND THE REFEREE STEPS IN! WOWWWWWW!
Volk’s face is a bloody mess!
UFC 294 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev
Round 1
A touch of gloves and we’re under way. Volk stands orthodox; Makhachev stands southpaw and kicks low early.
Lots of jab feints from both men, with Makhachev pressing forward. Volk said he wants an early finish; he doesn’t want to test his gas tank as Usman had to against Chimaev.
Now Volk kicks low but is caught on the end of a jab. Makhachev almost lands a head kick, then kicks to the body. Now the Russian shoots for a double-leg takedown, but he’s denied!
“Uh-uh,” says Volk as he defends it. The Aussie is forced back to the fence, though, but he reverses the position and fires off punches.
The pair grapple across the ring, with Makhachev landing a knee in the Thai clinch. Now they separate.
UFC 294 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev
“Let ‘em boo. I do my best work when they boo,” Volkanovski says, smiling as Bruce Buffer introduces him.
Makhachev is more stoic as he’s introduced.
Here, we, go!!!
UFC 294 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev
Now here comes the defending champion, to a very favourable reaction as expected.
Makhachev vs Volkanovski, Round 6, is moments away...
UFC 294 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev
And here comes Volkanovski to the sound of “Down Under” by Men At Work – as always!
“I’m coming for it all, baby,” the Australian tells the camera before emerging in front of a pro-Makhachev crowd.
UFC 294 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev
So, eight months after Islam Makhachev outpointed Alexander Volkanovski in a fiercely competitive lightweight-title clash, the pair meet in the Octagon again.
Whatever happens tonight, Volkanovski will remain the featherweight champion, but can he leave Abu Dhabi as the fifth dual-weight champion in UFC history?
His performance against Makhachev in February suggested that he has what it takes to get past the Russian, but he’s fighting on 11 days’ notice here.
The ring walks are moments away.
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