UFC 284 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Makhachev stream, latest updates and result tonight
Re-live all the action after featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski challenged lightweight title holder Islam Makhachev, and Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett clashed for interim gold
Alexander Volkanovski came up agonisingly short in his bid to become a dual-weight champion at UFC 284, suffering a narrow decision loss to Islam Makhachev on Saturday.
Australian Volkanovski entered and exited the RAC Arena in Perth as featherweight champion, but the lightweight title eluded him as 155lbs champion Makhachev secured a unanimous-decision win in enemy territory.
Volkanovski had promised to disprove doubters who had claimed he was too small to compete with Makhachev, and the 34-year-old did just that, standing almost every time he was taken down – as he had said he would – reversing grappling positions along the fence, and twice dropping the Russian with punches. Makhachev also fought an impressive fight, however, securing some clinical takedowns and dropping Volkanovski to a knee at one point and wobbling the Australian with strikes elsewhere.
Many present in the arena felt that Volkanovski had done enough to dethrone Makhachev, but the scorecards read 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 in the Russian’s favour. In fact, Makhachev will have likely dethroned Volkanovski as the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 fighter come Monday morning, having entered UFC 284 at No 2.
In the co-main event, Yair Rodriguez claimed the interim featherweight title with a second-round submission of Josh Emmett, establishing himself as the next challenger to Volkanovski at 145lbs. Re-live updates and see results from the UFC 284 main card and prelims, below.
UFC 284 LIVE
Makhachev vs Volkanovski – Round 1
Lots of movement from Volkanovski early. Southpaw Makhachev is edgding forwards.
“Volk” is the chant. The Australian comes forward with a flurry of punches on his taller opponent. He then switches stances, back and forth.
A right cross lands for Volkanovski, then another that staggers the Russian! “Let’s go!” he shouts at the defending champion.
UFC 284 LIVE
Bruce Buffer will make the introductions ahead of Makhachev’s first defence of the title he won in November, when he submitted Charles Oliveira to follow in the footsteps of Khabib.
UFC 284 LIVE
Yep, there are the boos as Makhachev emerges.
The Russian will be without coach and chilldhood friend Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner tonight.
UFC 284 LIVE
Volkanovski smiles and appeals to the crowd as they sing along. Expect heavy boos for Makhachev...
UFC 284 LIVE
Volkanovski is out first, to the sound of “Down Under” by Men At Work, and to a rousing reception. He plays up to the crowd big time.
UFC 284 LIVE
UFC 284 LIVE
It’s time for the main event.
Featherweight champion Alexander Vokanovski chalenges lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
It’s the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 vs the pound-for-pound No 2.
It’s the longest winning streak in the UFC (12) versus the second-longest (11).
Read our preview here:
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