Islam Makhachev ventured into enemy territory and came out victorious.
UFC 284 played host to not only the promotion’s return to Australia, but an epic champion vs. champion collision as Makhachev defended his lightweight crown against reigning featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski. The battle of the Top 2 pound-for-pound fighters in the official UFC rankings was a thrilling one, concluding with Makhachev getting his hand raised in a hard-fought unanimous decision.
With Volkanovski as the No. 1-ranked fighter going into the bout, the expectation was that if Makhachev won, he’d overthrow his fellow champion. However, that was not the case. “The Great” continued to be the top-voted fighter on the media.
“The people expect an easy fight from me,” Makhachev told TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter. Like how I knock him out, he’ll be smashed there. But Australia has many different things. Volkanovski isn’t like other fighters who wake up at a reasonable hour and don’t allow for time to recover. He doesn’t cut too much weight. Because I’m from Australia’s side, I’m familiar with weather, weight and other details. I went there to beat the champion, and it doesn’t matter if I get the title. My belt is all I have.
“This is most important things for the fighter. You can’t just lose weight. But they won’t allow you to recuperate .”
After years of experimentation, U.S. Athletic commissions modified the weight-in system. Previously, fighters were weighed in at the Friday midday ceremony portion. This has since been changed to the 9 am to 11 am local time morning window, allowing fighters more time to properly recover from their cuts and rehydrate.
Despite being at an arguable disadvantage in that realm against Volkanovski as alluded to, Makhachev remains content with putting together a rematch. In the meantime, a major lightweight contender bout is on the horizon and could also provide him with his next challenger.
” I just demonstrated who is the greatest in the world,” Makhachev stated. “It was good experience for me. Let’s see if there are enough people who want to watch the rematch. We should! Let’s go. I am ready.
“I hope Beniel [Dariush] beats [Charles] Oliveira. We gonna make some good fight because this guy is tough because he have good skills and it’s gonna be a huge fight for the fans.
” I prepared for this fight two years ago,” he said. He said, “He defeated a great opponent (Mateusz Gambrot) in his final fight. Charles is the one I believe he deserves [the shot].”
if he defeats him.
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VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
UFC Las Vegas promo.
Free fight.
A “nightmare” rivalry.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
No excuses.
Thank you everyone for the support!
Truly appreciate all of you !
In good and bad thank you for being with me
Difficult times built strong peopleMartial Arts is my LIFE and I will be back for immediate rematch stronger than ever
— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) March 6, 2023
Fight doesn’t forget any mistake!
Especially it feels frustrating when you was dominating all the fight.
No excuses , only hard work !
Ready to start all overLove you all
— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) March 6, 2023
Fair enough.
After one of my fights, we went to a restaurant and the waitress said “we are out of the chocolate cake”.
My face looked something like his looks here https://t.co/CEx4cKTSJy— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) March 6, 2023
Andrade-esque.
This was happened in @_PANCRASE_ last Saturday:
Yuito Yanagawa with a HUGE KO in against Kazuki Morii
Yanagawa is now 3-0 in Featherweight Division pic.twitter.com/koY4mm3WUz
— Bruno Massami (Bruno Massami) (@BrMassami) March 6, 2023
Homecoming.
Incredible.
Alexa posted it on Instagram saying they practice this for fucking months, amazing to watch her doing it just before winning the belt pic.twitter.com/b5Dq6srHT2
— * (@andrpsl) March 6, 2023
How beautiful pic.twitter.com/jNFLfnnmhh
— MS (@UFC_Obsessed) March 6, 2023
Stop the fight, he’s already dead!
The commentary team went off during Jake Gyllenhaal’s fight scene
(via sayatus/IG) pic.twitter.com/YbVIDrVXI4
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 6, 2023
What a time to be a fan that was.
My man!!! https://t.co/gO9kVv6TRX
— Keith Jardine (@KeithJardine205) March 7, 2023
Colby would be cool.
I wana see Colby Vs Dustin
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) March 6, 2023
Viva Mexico!
Superstar Sexyama.
Countdown.
Oscar must be protected.
Train.
Family.
Watchin’ and movin’.
Motivated.
Shark.
Gonna be good.
Can’t wait to make this walk ago. It’s gonna be more electric than the first time #rizin #mma #speedkills #kickboxing pic.twitter.com/JSPImiAJ0i
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) March 7, 2023
FINAL THOUGHTS
Denice Zamboanga (9-2) vs. Julie Mezabarba (9-4-1); ONE Fight Night 9, April 22
FINAL THOUGHTS
Makhachev and Volkanovski are both in a very rare spot where no matter who they get next, I don’t think there’s any reasonable way you can complain about the matchup. Sure, they probably shouldn’t rematch next with all things considered, but if you don’t want to see them fight again, are you even a real MMA fan?
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
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Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/3/7/23626891/morning-report-islam-makhachev-describes-fighting-in-different-australia?rand=96749
