Back in Australia for the first time since establishing a new UFC attendance record at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Saturday’s highly anticipated UFC 284 pay-per-view at RAC Arena in Perth exceeded all expectations.
The crowd was in full throat from the outset and the athletes responded with dynamic efforts from start to finish, culminating in a pair of captivating championship battles.
In the main event, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) puts his title on the line against featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski (25-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC), who is seeking a second title. In the co-feature, Yair Rodriguez (14-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) takes on Josh Emmett (18-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) for the interim featherweight title.
UFC 284: Makhachev vs Volkanovski Results
Islam Makhachev defeats Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Yair Rodriguez defeats Josh Emmett by submission (triangle choke) at 4:19 of Round 2
Jack Della Maddalena defeats Randy Brown by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:13 of Round 1
Justin Tafa defeats Parker Porter by KO (left hand) at 1:06 of Round 1
Jimmy Crute and Alonzo Menifield battle to a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
Joshua Culibao defeats Melsik Baghdasaryan by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:02 of Round 2
Kleydson Rodrigues defeats Shannon Ross by TKO (strikes) at 0:59 of Round 1
Jamie Mullarkey defeats Francisco Prado by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jack Jenkins defeats Don Shainis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Loma Lookboonmee defeats Elise Reed by submission (rear-naked choke) at 0:44 of Round 2
Blake Bilder defeats Shane Young by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Elves Brenner defeats Zubaira Tukhugov by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
UFC 284: Makhachev vs Volkanovski Main Card Fight Results
Main Event: Islam Makhachev defeats Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Islam Makhachev called his shot and followed through, venturing to Perth, Australia and defeating pound-for-pound king and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski to successfully defend his lightweight title for the first time.
The surging Russian standout showed his skills on the feet through the first three rounds, spending long stretches of the initial 15 minutes trading with Volkanovski and getting the better of the exchanges. While “Alexander the Great" had success of his own and showed an impressive ability to contend with Makhachev’s takedown attempts, the lightweight champ was just too much.
In the fourth, Makhachev timed a perfect level change that resulted in his climbing onto Volkanovski’s back and staying there for the duration of the frame. In the final frame, Volkanovski tried his damnedest to rally and finish, taking the fight to Makhachev and hurting him with a left hand late, finishing the bout in top position, much to the delight of the capacity crowd in Perth.
Makhachev earned the unanimous decision win and successfully defended his title, but Volkanovski lost nothing in going 25 minutes with the lightweight ruler.
This was an incredible fight between two standout talents, and it’s going to be amazing seeing them continue to lord over their respective weight classes going forward.Watch here