After winning the belt in 2022, the Russian fought two fights this year against the same opponent, Alexander Volkanovski, beating the Australian by unanimous decision in February and knocking him out in the first round in October to top the UFC’s P4P list.
ESPN declared the first fight between Makhachev and Volkanovski, which took place at UFC 284 in Perth, the “Fight of the Year”.
The author of “Knockout of the Year” was Israel Adesanya in a rematch with Alex Pereira, and “Submission of the Year” was Alexa Grasso in the first fight against Valentina Shevchenko. Also, the Mexican became the “Women’s Fighter of the Year” according to ESPN.
Recall that Islam Makhachev is scheduled to fight next on March 9 at UFC 299 in Miami, and potential opponents for the Russian include lightweights Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and current UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards.