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: Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev
Well, let’s hope for less drama in this next fight – or the right sort of drama, at least!
It’s a tantalising one: Former welterweight champ Kamaru Usman moves up to middleweight, replacing Paulo Costa to fight the fearsome Khamzat Chimaev on 10 days’ notice.
Chimaev is unbeaten with 11 stoppages from 12 wins, having been dominant in his outings at both middleweight and welterweight.
UFC 294 LIVE: Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker
OH, WOW! Walker is asked a couple of questions by a doctor, and he nods, seemingly suggesting that he is okay to continue.
The doctor then talks to the referee, and the bout is waved off!!!!
Walker protests and even pushes the referee! Both fighters want to fight!
Dana White has entered the ring to calm down Walker!
Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker ends as No Contest (illegal knee, 3:13)
Far from an ideal return for Ankalaev!
UFC 294 LIVE: Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker
Round 1
Ankalaev stands southpaw; Walker orthodox. Each man tries a head kick, both landing partially.
Ankalaev teases a switch of stance but doesn’t commit. Nice right hook from him after Walker misses with a wild strike attempt. The hook puts Walker off balance, and he retreats.
Already Ankalaev has a very red nose. He goes orthodox very briefly, then lands a heavy body shot! Walker winces then throws a jumping knee! Was he feigning the pain??
Either way, Ankalaev responds by shooting for a takedown, and he drags Walker down against the fence!
Ankalaev alternates between trying to advance the position and throwing punches. Walker begins to stand, but Ankalaev tags him hard with an illegal knee!
We’ll have a pause in the action.
UFC 294 LIVE: Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker
Both men are in the ring, fighter introductions are under way...
And now the fight is!
UFC 294 LIVE: Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker
This main card is clipping along! Next up, a top-end light-heavyweight showdown between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker.
Ankalaev last fought in December, with a controversial draw against Jan Blachowicz ensuring neither man won the 205lbs title. It’s since been won and vacated by Jamahal Hill, and will next be contested between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka in November.
Could the winner of this bout be the first challenger to the new champion? Brazil’s Walker has had an up-and-down UFC career, but he’s won his last three fights.
UFC 294 LIVE: Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves
Round 1
A couple of hard low kicks by Alves early on, while Aliskerov lands two lancing front kicks to the body.
Again Alves kicks low, but now he has to navigate Aliskerov’s jab.
Heavy right hook from Aliskerov as Alves kicks low. Sharp one-two from Aliskerov, then a jab that drops Alves!
Alves bounces back up and eats a mean jumping knee, then a flurry of punches that drop him again, against the fence! And it’s all over!!!
Ikram Aliskerov def. Warlley Alves via first-round TKO (knee and punches, 2:07)
UFC 294 LIVE: Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves
Next up: Middleweight action between Ikram Aliskerov and Warlley Alves.
And we’re under way.
UFC 294 LIVE: Said Nurmagomedov vs Muin Gafurov
Round 1
Both men stand orthodox. Gafurov presses forward. Both bantamweights flick out kicks, low and high.
Now a stabbing front kick to the body by Nurmagomedov. He then whips a head kick at Gafurov, forcing him into a takedown attempt...
And Nurmagomedov defends with a guillotine choke! It’s on tight straight away!
And Gafurov taps on the side opposite to referee Marc Goddard, who doesn’t see! Gafurov blacks out, and it’s all over!
Said Nurmagomedov def. Muin Gafurov via first-round submission (guillotine choke, 1:13)
UFC 294 LIVE: Said Nurmagomedov vs Muin Gafurov
We kick off the main card with a bantamweight clash between Said Nurmagomedov vs Muin Gafurov.
Said is of no relation to UFC lightweight great Khabib, by the way.
And here, we, go!
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