UFC 294: Chimaev overcomes Usman, Makhachev KOs Volkanovski
Islam Makhachev easily defeated Alexander Volkanovski in the lightweight title rematch at UFC 294 following five close rounds in their first meeting. In the opening round, Makhachev used a head kick to take Volkanovski out, and he quickly ended the bout with strikes to the ground.
Just eleven days ago, Volkanovski entered the fight to replace Charles Oliveira, who had to be pulled due to an injury. Following the bout, he declared that his time as a lightweight fighter "is done" and that he would return to defending the featherweight belt.
In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev (13-0) defeated Kamaru Usman, the former welterweight champion, to earn a crack at the belt in the future. Usman, who entered this battle fewer than two weeks prior, was instantly taken out and spent.
Alexander Volkanovski loses to Islam Makhachev in the lightweight championship bout via KO
See this match on ESPN+.
Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski's first bout took place in February and was a traditional five-round fight that saw both fighters have great success. The second fight, which took place on Saturday inside Etihad Arena at UFC 294, was all Makhachev's.
With a left head kick at 3:06 of the first round, Makhachev decisively defeated Volkanovski, the featherweight champion, to retain his 155-pound lightweight title. Makhachev now has 13 wins in a row, tying him for third place all-time in UFC history. That was Volkanovski's first victory in a fight since his fourth match, which took place in 2013. -- Takeuchi
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