Islam Makhachev KNOCKS OUT Alexander Volkanovski after Landing Stunning Head Kick at UFC 294
- 6 months ago
Islam Makhachev delivered a spectacular head kick to extinguish Alexander Volkanovski's dream of becoming a two-weight champion at UFC 294.
The formidable lightweight king is known for his wrestling ability but showed he has deadly weapons in every area, landing a devastating blow in the first round before pouring on the punishment and prompting referee Marc Goddard to intervene.
Volkanovski had marched out to 'Men at Work', full of confidence for the rematch of a fight he lost narrowly by decision back in February.
He looked full of confidence despite stepping in for Charles Oliveira at just 10 days' notice. The Australian had promised to be more aggressive this time around but it was the Russian on top early.
Makhachev forced a clinch and landed some incisive knees before his challenger managed to adjust position and break away.
It was then, having set him up with kicks to the midriff, that the Dagestani switched it upstairs to the head. It worked immaculately and the left shin to the right side of Volkanovski's head rocked it backward, sending him wobbling to the canvas.
A few follow-up blows were all that was needed to finish him off. He continued the trend of several fighters on the card in the post-fight interview calling for peace.
'I am not celebrating the win today because of the crazy things happening around the world,' he said.
'Honestly, I have a great team and always do this in the locker room, the training pushed me very hard. This is my second home, all the fans, thank you.
'You have to turn off the lights to beat this guy, he is a real champion.'
Volkanovski was typically classy in defeat, telling Daniel Cormier: 'Great set up and a good kick, it hurts me to lose, he's a great champion, what do you do. Islam is one man who you need to prepare properly against.
'I want to say to the UFC to keep me busy, it does my head in when I'm not fighting. I'll come back down at featherweight. Credit to Islam, great kick.
'I want Ilia Topuria in January, I need to be training and in camp. I'm fine with everyone back home. Sorry, I couldn't put on a better show.'
Makhachev is likely to face either Oliveira or Justin Gaethje next, although he will be a significant favorite against both men. Currently, Jon Jones sits atop the pound-for-pound list but it is difficult to argue with the Russian on this kind of form.
In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev beat Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision. Usman, like Volkanovski, had stepped up on short notice to take the match-up.
And it looked as though he might be finished in the first. Chimaev took him down immediately - some feat considering the 'Nigerian Nightmare' had only been put on the floor once in his career and that was only briefly.
Usman managed to writhe and slip away from submission attempts but 'Borz' connected with several meaty thuds.
Perhaps his efforts had taken something out of him. In the second, Usman found more success, keeping the fight standing until the
The formidable lightweight king is known for his wrestling ability but showed he has deadly weapons in every area, landing a devastating blow in the first round before pouring on the punishment and prompting referee Marc Goddard to intervene.
Volkanovski had marched out to 'Men at Work', full of confidence for the rematch of a fight he lost narrowly by decision back in February.
He looked full of confidence despite stepping in for Charles Oliveira at just 10 days' notice. The Australian had promised to be more aggressive this time around but it was the Russian on top early.
Makhachev forced a clinch and landed some incisive knees before his challenger managed to adjust position and break away.
It was then, having set him up with kicks to the midriff, that the Dagestani switched it upstairs to the head. It worked immaculately and the left shin to the right side of Volkanovski's head rocked it backward, sending him wobbling to the canvas.
A few follow-up blows were all that was needed to finish him off. He continued the trend of several fighters on the card in the post-fight interview calling for peace.
'I am not celebrating the win today because of the crazy things happening around the world,' he said.
'Honestly, I have a great team and always do this in the locker room, the training pushed me very hard. This is my second home, all the fans, thank you.
'You have to turn off the lights to beat this guy, he is a real champion.'
Volkanovski was typically classy in defeat, telling Daniel Cormier: 'Great set up and a good kick, it hurts me to lose, he's a great champion, what do you do. Islam is one man who you need to prepare properly against.
'I want to say to the UFC to keep me busy, it does my head in when I'm not fighting. I'll come back down at featherweight. Credit to Islam, great kick.
'I want Ilia Topuria in January, I need to be training and in camp. I'm fine with everyone back home. Sorry, I couldn't put on a better show.'
Makhachev is likely to face either Oliveira or Justin Gaethje next, although he will be a significant favorite against both men. Currently, Jon Jones sits atop the pound-for-pound list but it is difficult to argue with the Russian on this kind of form.
In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev beat Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision. Usman, like Volkanovski, had stepped up on short notice to take the match-up.
And it looked as though he might be finished in the first. Chimaev took him down immediately - some feat considering the 'Nigerian Nightmare' had only been put on the floor once in his career and that was only briefly.
Usman managed to writhe and slip away from submission attempts but 'Borz' connected with several meaty thuds.
Perhaps his efforts had taken something out of him. In the second, Usman found more success, keeping the fight standing until the