Watch: Makhachev retains UFC lightweight title with stunning KO

Islam Makhachev. Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Islam Makhachev retains UFC lightweight title with stunning KO

By Daniel Kekes-Szabo | Last updated 10/21/23

Islam Makhachev remained UFC lightweight champion in Abu Dhabi after a vicious knockout over featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the first round at UFC 294.

The two had previously faced off at UFC 284 in a closely contested bout that Makhachev won by a unanimous decision, though there were many who had Volkanovski up on the scorecards, and the fighter put in an impressive performance.

Volkanovski took this fight at UFC 294 on an 11-day short notice after an injury to Makhachev's originally scheduled opponent, Brazilian fighter Charles Oliveira.

The knockout came just three minutes into the fight, when Makhachev backed the Australian against the cage and dropped him with a left high kick that staggered and dropped his opponent. Volkanovski was then finished with punches by Makhachev, who now remains the only opponent to knock out Volkanovski in 10 years.

This Head shot from Islam Makhachev is crazy pic.twitter.com/A1mldLf9Fa
— Mr.Meme Junkie (@MrMemeJunkie) October 21, 2023

"I showed him the low kick, body kick then I just changed to the high kick," Makhachev said in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. "This is what we trained the last couple months for Oliveira and nothing changed, same thing for Volkanovski."

Volkanovski still remains one of the best fighters in the world and is still currently occupying the No. 1 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings, though this loss may change his position soon.

The UFC Featherweight Champion has beat almost every ranked opponent there is in the featherweight division, though Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria has been climbing through the rankings with devastating force, and will likely be the next opponent for Volkanovski. It is yet to be seen when Volkanovski will get another shot at the title in the lightweight division.

For Makhachev, this win marks another statement victory in the beginnings of his reign as champion. Oliveira will be itching to make the fight happen that was cancelled due to his injury, and there is a growing list of elite fighters among the lightweights who will similarly be looking to challenge the high-flying Makhachev.

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