UFC 294 witnessed a rapid conclusion with Islam Makhachev's head kick against Alexander Volkanovski. Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev secured a major victory against Kamaru Usman, showcasing their dominance. The event also showcased several promising rising prospects. Brett Okamoto and Marc Raimondi share their takeaways from this thrilling Abu Dhabi event.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Islam Makhachev has solidified his status as the world's premier pound-for-pound fighter.
At UFC 294 on Saturday, Makhachev didn't merely defeat Alexander Volkanovski to uphold his UFC lightweight title; he accomplished it with unquestionable authority. It was a left kick to the head that sent Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champion, tumbling to the canvas. This marked the first time Volkanovski had been finished in a decade, reaching back to his early career days.
Of course, there is a caveat to consider. Volkanovski took the fight on a mere 11 days' notice. Makhachev had initially been preparing to face Charles Oliveira in Abu Dhabi, but Oliveira had to withdraw due to a training-related injury. It's evident that this wasn't the prime version of Volkanovski. However, it's equally important not to undermine Makhachev's exceptional performance, given that he had been training to face a vastly different style of fighter. Oliveira, a tall Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with a potent Muay Thai, stood in stark contrast to Volkanovski, who possesses a shorter, stockier, all-around skill set.
What makes Makhachev's case even more compelling is that he had previously bested Volkanovski in February at UFC 284, and that too with a full training camp for both fighters. There's no asterisk on that victory. With many ranking Makhachev and Volkanovski at the top two spots in the pound-for-pound list, Makhachev's 2-0 record in this series leaves little room for debate. It's difficult to argue against the Dagestani fighter's claim to the title of the world's best fighter at the moment.