Islam Makhachev Retains UFC Lightweight Title With Knockout Victory Over Alexander Volkanovski

• Islam Makhachev retained his UFC Lightweight title with a knockout win at UFC 294
• Makhachev and Volkanovski previously fought in February in a five-round thriller
• Volkanovski was looking to become a two-division champion with a win at UFC 294

Islam Makhachev is the real deal.

The Lightweight champion proved that he is the best in the division as he quickly dispatched Alexander Volkanovski in their rematch at UFC 294.

After their previous five-round war for the Lightweight title in February, Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 promised to be good, and it didn’t disappoint.

That fight went the full five rounds, but it only took one round to decide a winner in the rematch in the United Arab Emirates.

The two men engaged in a battle of strength early in the first round, trying to take the other down. With neither getting an advantage, they continued striking, and it was Makhachev who landed the better kicks.

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MMA

The beginning of the end

The champion went low with a few of his early kicks, setting up Volkanovski for what was about to come.

While it looked like the first round would be a back-and-forth between the two, Makhachev shocked the world when he landed a vicious head kick on the Australian.

The kick wobbled the Featherweight champion, and Makhachev pounced on his downed opponent, landing shot after shot, giving the referee no chance but to stop the fight.

Volkanovski aims to join an exclusive list

History beckons for Alexander Volkanovski.

A victory over lightweight champion Islam Makhachev this coming Saturday will see him become the fifth fighter in UFC history to be a simultaneous two-division champion.

Sports Brief looks at the UFC legends who are on this exclusive list.

Chimaev defeats Usman at UFC 294

Khamzat Chimaev is the new number-one contender for the UFC’s Middleweight title.

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UFC

Chimaev secured the title shot with a victory over Kamaru Usman in the co-main event of UFC 294.

The two men were involved in a tough three-round battle which needed to be decided on the judges’ scorecards, Sports Brief reported.