Islam Makhachev brutally defeats Alexander Volkanovski in UFC 294
What a great display by the lightweight world champion.
However, Islam Makhachev made it plain who is this time's better fighter.
On Saturday night at UFC 294's main event in Abu
Dhabi's Etihad Arena, Alexander Volkanovski was struck in the head by a
devastating head kick from Makhachev. After that, he used ground-and-pound
blows to knock out his opponent in the first round, preserving his lightweight
belt.
The victory in the
rematch was even more impressive than Makhachev's victory against Volkanovski
by unanimous decision in the fight that some commentators and supporters
thought Volkanovski had done enough to win in February.
Makhachev began constructing his offense on
Saturday by kicking Volkanovski's legs.
as some blows forced the referee to intervene, the fight was declared over at the 3:06 mark
as it progressed to a painful body kick and a head kick that put Volkanovski
out while still standing.
When Makhachev achieved the decisive victory, he raised his index finger to his lips in an
effort to quiet any dissenters.
Volkanovski, the champion featherweight,
credited Islam for a "great kick" after agreeing to the match with only
12 days' notice.
This is how the main card of UFC 294 on
pay-per-view unfolded.