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
Rodriguez says he doesn’t know when he will fight Volkanovski. He adds that he does not want to disturb the Australian’s backstage preparation for the main event tonight.
UFC 284 LIVE
That was actually Rodriguez’s first submission win in the UFC.
UFC 284 LIVE
Yair Rodriguez def. Josh Emmett via second-round submission (triangle choke, 4:19).
UFC 284 LIVE
Rodriguez vs Emmett – Round 2
This contest is living up to the hype. Rodriguez smashes a flying knee into Emmett’s chin, and somehow the American eats it and takes down the Mexican!
Rodriguez stays active from the bottom, throwing elbows and hammer fists at Emmett, who is in his full guard.
Emmett lands a harsh left hand, but Rodriguez stays calm and locks in a triangle choke...
Emmett taps!!! Rodriguez is interim featherweight champion!
UFC 284 LIVE
Rodriguez vs Emmett – Round 2
Rodriguez prevents a takedown and gets free. Emmett is cut just outside his left eye.
The Mexican steps in with a short elbow and staggers Emmett slightly! Low kick now by Rodriguez, who is pressing forward.
UFC 284 LIVE
Rodriguez vs Emmett – Round 2
Rodriguez definitely seems to be using kicks in order to keep Emmett at bay, due to the American’s significant power.
Rodriguez takes the centre of the Octagon. Both men land hard right hooks simultaneousy! Now Rodriguez kicks the body of his opponent twice again.
Emmett is loading up so much with his right hook. He misses a couple then drives Rodriguez to the fence.
UFC 284 LIVE
Rodriguez vs Emmett – Round 1
The round ends with Roriguez throwing elbows, with Emmett in his guard.
As for the moments before: It didn’t feel like a full knockdown, so it makes the round tougher to score. Rodriguez did the better work through the first four minutes.
UFC 284 LIVE
Rodriguez vs Emmett – Round 1
Emmett clips Rodriguez on the end of a punch. The Mexican kicks low in response.
Emmett eats a jab but blocks the subsequent right cross. Rodriguez misses with a wheel kick but surprises Emmett with a hook immediately afterwards.
Emmett blocks a head kick and lands a big right hand! A wild exchange sees Rodriguez hit the mat, and Emmett takes the Mexican’s back and pounds him with hammer fists!
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