UFC 284 has come and gone, but the debates and conspiracy theories rage on.
The UFC returned to Perth, Australia this past weekend with one of the biggest fights they could have made to start 2023’s early campaign. Alexander Volkanovski, the featherweight champion, returned to lightweight to try and dethrone Islam Makhachev who was recently named titleholder.
” The Great” was valiant and earned the victory. Unfortunately for Volkanovski, the three judges on the night all agreed that Makhachev was the winner with two 48-47 scorecards and a lone 49-46. Dan Hooker (teammate of Volkanovski) has made bold accusations that Makhachev used an IV for illegally rehydrating during the title fight.
Makhachev’s co-manager Rizvan Magomedov said MMA Junkie to respond to his claims: “We all know that this is totally B.S. He’s a complete loser. He’s salty and just looking for attention, and that’s it.”
USADA bans IV usage via infusions and or injection, allowing exception only for athletes that received an IV “in the course of hospital admissions, surgical procedures or clinical investigations.”
Hooker is not known for his bad-mouthing of fellow fighters. Makhachev defeated “The Hangman” in Oct. 2021 via a first-round kimura submission.
“Dumb C*** believes he can fly from Australia to hire a nurse and get an I.V. We won’t know. Hooker stated in a series . of tweets .
“USADA doing nothing but f***ing all. Prove me wrong. Bet cha can’t. He won’t win if he cheats. Islam is a cheat.”
Despite remaining the featherweight champion after his first promotional defeat, Volkanovski is hopeful that he gets a rematch with Makhachev sooner rather than later. He felt that there was little in common between the sizes of each fighter and took some shots at I.V. Comments made by Ariel Helwani during Monday’s discussion.
“I think I was 170 [pounds] or just under,” Volkanovski said on The MMA Hour. “178 to 180 I think he would have been. I’ve heard he gets up to like 180. The IV’s are very filling and you can use the .”
to get more.
TOP STORIES
Weight. Alexander Volkanovski: If Islam Makhachev was a featherweight, ‘I’d squash him’
Rankings. Islam Makhachev knocks off Alexander Volkanovski to take No. 1 spot
Aftermath. Bellator 290 fight night weights: Henry Corrales leads with 26. 6-pound overnight gain, 2 fighters suspended from divisions
Opportunity. Arnold Allen okay with Max Holloway as interim title shot.
Prediction. Matt Brown – Michael Chandler “might send Conor McGregor to retirement” if he takes him out
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
UFC 285 Trailer.
Free fight.
A drive with Whittaker.
CCC and DJ break it down.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Where is everyone?
Where you are ? https://t.co/0sMeCRy1Eo
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) February 13, 2023
Possible.
I think UFC is hoping I retire from old age before they give me a title shot lol
— Beneil Dariush (@beneildariush) February 13, 2023
Squad.
Jin Ri hatotemoiiJing Yan gaChu Lai te, Ci noShi He niXiang keteiisuitsuchigaRu tsutaQi gashimasu. totsupuniZhui itsuiteikeruyounimotsutoJing Jin shimasu. Ya Ren !!arigatougozaimashita!! pic.twitter.com/Lgo9gO3SSR
— MIZUKI / Mei Jin Xi (@fighter_mizuki) February 13, 2023
A legendary night.
All the Legends showed up for Fedor’s final fight!
Don’t miss my newest @OnlyFans video Blog where I take you cage side for the historic @BellatorMMA event on CBS
https://t.co/78MLZG8O0P pic.twitter.com/QqcbbjzPeq— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) February 13, 2023
Signings.
15-2 Uzbek flyweight Ramazan Temurov signs with RIZIN, hoping to debut on May 6. #RIZIN pic.twitter.com/E8UFPvsdox
— Chris Presnell (@mmaecosystem) February 13, 2023
I signed the BELLATOR.
I’m back!! https://t.co/lHGp1SimB4— ISAO Kobayashi (@isao_1303) February 14, 2023
Oh.
If only you had the confidence to be ready for March 4th. Even more so after you have the courage to reach out.
Humble yourself. https://t.co/Yq0ltTtW8W— Jalin Turner (@JalinTurner) February 13, 2023
You know when I’m available, just giving you options. I hope you find your 3-week notice opponent. https://t.co/006ee47Er6
— Drew Dober (@DrewDober) February 13, 2023
Countdown.
6 weeks left for the big show .
March 25 UFC San Antonio Texas
: @miggohno #illwhoopyourheadboy #youknowill pic.twitter.com/2xIBI4E963
— manerukeipu Manel Kape (@ManelKape) February 14, 2023
Sliced.
7 new stitches making my total to128 pic.twitter.com/TxLb17F0XV
— Jared Vanderaa (@Jaredvanderaa) February 14, 2023
FINAL THOUGHTS
The intrigue surrounding a rematch escalates as a result. This is just one example of the strange situations in which if we don’t get it immediately, it may not happen at all.
Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone and their significant others. Everyone, thank you for reading.
POLL POSITION
Last Week’s Results:
Friday: 64% of 522 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Will Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski go the distance?” Makhachev defeated Volkanovski via a unanimous decision in UFC 284’s main event.
52% of 269 total votes answered “Philadelphia Eagles” when asked, “Who wins Super Bowl LVII?” The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35.
Thursday: 55% of 480 total votes answered “Islam Makhachev” when asked, “Who wins?”
Wednesday: 59% of 523 total votes answered “Yair Rodriguez” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Rodriguez defeated Josh Emmett via a second-round triangle choke in UFC 284’s co-main event.
Tuesday: 58% of 542 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Will the winner of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler get a UFC title shot?”
Monday: 57% of 652 total votes answered “Alex Pereira” when asked, “Who wins the rematch?” Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2 headlines UFC 287 on April 8.
Today’s exit poll:
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/14/23598184/morning-report-islam-makhachev-manager-denies-loser-dan-hookers-ufc-284-i-v-use-claims?rand=96749
