UFC 294 recap: Islam Makhachev knocks out Alex Volkanovski with a nasty headbutt; Chimaev defeats Usman
Islam Makhachev ended any doubts in his rivalry with featherweight world champion Alex Volkanovski by ending it with a head kick and multiple takedowns at 3:06 of the first round in their lightweight title bout in the evening's main event. UFC 294 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Makhachev defeated Volkanovski at UFC 284 in February. The rematch took place when former champion Charles Oliveira stopped training and had to retire. Volkanovski fought within 11 days of the announcement.
Makhachev was in control throughout and didn't need to use his vaunted wrestling skills to defeat the man who posed the biggest challenge of his career.
Volkanovski wanted to become the fourth man in UFC history and the fifth man to simultaneously hold two titles in his weight class.He felt he deserved the decision at UFC 284 and took the opportunity to challenge Makhachev again.
“I want to thank this guy,” Makhachev said. “I told you, you had to turn out the lights to beat this guy.” He plans to fight all five rounds. He will never give up. He is a true champion.»
Volkanovski praised Makhachev for his excellent finish in the round of 16 and said he hopes to face Ilia Topuria in the featherweight division in January. He had a large cut on his right eyebrow, which could determine whether he can return so soon.
Makhachev was excited before the fight because he felt he had won decisively the first time and because Volkanovsky was receiving praise for his fight in such a short space of time.
He showed on Saturday that he is a better and more versatile player. He prepared it by walking toward the body and then up, even though Volkanovski's guard was posted.
The kick landed on Volkanovski's head, sending him back into the cage. Makhachev quickly climbed on top of him and hit him with his powerful punches. Referee Marc Goddard stepped in to stop him, prompting wild celebrations.
Khamzat Chimaev extends Kamaru Usman's losing streak
Khamzat Chimaev extends Kamaru Usman's defeatKamaru Usman is one of the best fighters in the UFC, not just right now, but of all time. But he couldn't do much on Saturday against Khamzat Chimaev, whose fighting, striking and defensive moves were outstanding in the middleweight bout in the co-main event of UFC 294 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Chimaev defeated Usman, the former welterweight world champion, twice by majority vote, 29-27 and 28-28. Yahoo Sports led Chimaev 29-27.
Chimaev scored 10-8 in the first round, beating Usman early in the round and controlling him for most of the rest of the round.He supported Usman and threatened to surrender, and although he never managed to apply the choke, he prevented Usman from launching his own attack.
Usman won the second round by punches but never really got going. Chimaev, known in previous UFC fights for coming out of his corner and fighting at breakneck speeds, was much calmer and patient this time around. In the second moment, it was almost as if he had taken his foot off the gas and allowed Usman, who had accepted the fight on eleven days' notice, to return to the fight. Chimaev was successful in the third round and kept Usman at bay for much of the second half of the final round.
After pleading for world peace and talking about how much it pained him to see children die, Chimaev turned his attention to Usman and his trainers Trevor Wittman and Henry Hooft, praising them for their skills and Usman for his willingness to to accept the fight. in which Paulo Costa fell.
He then thanked UFC CEO Dana White and Hunter Campbell, the UFC's chief business officer, for their help. He said that without her he would live in a small room of 2 by 2 meters.
Then he will fight for the championship and if he wins it he can afford the biggest house he wants.
An illegal knee leads to a disappointing no-contest
The light heavyweight bout between #2 Magomed Ankalaev and #7 Johnny Walker was just as admirable as it was in the beginning, before things got crazy.
After missing a flying knee strike, Walker fell to his knees with his back to the cage. Ankalaev landed several punches that landed on Walker's face as he tried to make room for a chokehold.Ankalaev tried to sneak up behind him and grab his back, but Walker defended himself by keeping his back to the cage.
Ankalaev submitted and delivered a knee strike, which was clearly illegal since Walker was a prone opponent. Referee Dan Movahedi called in time and brought the ring doctor Dr. Garry Hartstein to the scene of the accident to check on Walker.
He apparently asked Walker what country he was in, but Walker didn't seem to answer.He then asked Walker what the trick was and still received no answer.
At this point, Hartstein turned to Movahedi and said Walker wasn't good enough to continue. Then Movahedi waved his hand.
The fighters tried to get closer after the break and forced UFC CEO Dana White into the cage. White spoke to Walker and said, "We'll think about it," referring to the question of what to do with the disappointing ending.
The most likely scenario is a rematch if both are healthy and have had a chance to recover from the weight gain.
Ikram Aliskerov impresses with a TKO against Warlley Alves
Ikram Aliskerov has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous middleweights in the world and further strengthened it with victory over Warlley Alves on Saturday.
Aliskerov has the makings of a true middleweight contender and simply dominated Alves, stopping him 2:07 into the first round.
Aliskerov wounds Alves with a punch that sends the Brazilian back to the cage. As Alves regained his balance, Aliskerov hit him with a flying knee, essentially ending things. Alves collapses against the cage and Aliskerov continues punching until the referee stops them.
It's an impressive feat for a man whose only loss came against Chimaev in 2019.
“I always try to end the competition quickly,” said Aliskerov. “This is the second time I've finished someone quickly in the first round. I'm looking for someone in the [next] top ten.
Said Nurmagomedov takes Muin Gafurov under
. Said Nurmagomedov has one of the best guillotine chokes in the UFC and he proved it by finishing Muin Gafurov in 73 seconds on the first main card. Gafurov threw left hooks and right hands while pursuing Nurmagomedov, who was circling and trying to gain distance.
When Gafurov fired a right shot, his head pressed against Nurmagomedov's chest. He grabbed the guillotine and Gafurov struck quickly. However, this happened so quickly that referee Marc Goddard did not immediately notice the contact.
Nurmagomedov heard Gafurov coming out and released the choke before Goddard separated them.
Cody Stamman submitted via guillotine in 47 seconds at UFC 270.
Muhammad Mokaev has proven himself to be a flyweight contender
Muhammad Mokaev went 4-0 in the UFC heading into Saturday's fight against No. 10 Tim Elliott. The 23-year-old was impressive at every turn, establishing himself as a top contender in a stacked division after finishing in the third Round defeated former title challenger Tim Elliott via armbar in 3:03 minutes.
Mokaev grabbed Elliott and hit him while they were near the cage. In the air he shifted his weight to find himself at the top.He then moved quickly to catch Elliott with an arm triangle. Elliott wasted no time in reaffirming his submission.
Mokaev displayed excellent submission defense throughout the fight. Twice Elliott caught him with a guillotine, both times looking deep, but Mokaev was patient and took care of it himself.
He said he wanted a top 10 opponent next and specifically mentioned Kai Kara-France.However, when asked, he said he didn't care and just wanted someone to be ranked higher than him.
But then he quickly changed the subject.
“Forget it. Forget it,” he said, eagerly discussing his next opponent. “I just want to send peace to the whole world.Stay healthy, my brothers and sisters in Palestine. All. Stay healthy, my little brothers, children, women. I just want to send peace to the whole world.
Comments