Islam Makhachev (L) of Russia is announced the winner at UFC 294 over Alexander Volkanovski of Australia at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, October 21, 2023. /CFP
Islam Makhachev of Russia defended his 155-pound lightweight championship by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski of Australia in the first round at UFC 294 inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, on Saturday.
The last time when Makhachev fought Volkanovski in February in Perth, at UFC 284, it took them five rounds to finish – Makhachev won by unanimous decision. This time, his left head kick at 3:06 in the first round put an early end to the fight and marked his 13th straight win, the third-longest in UFC history. He is only three victories away from matching Anderson Silva's mark of 16.
"I showed him the low kick, body kick, then I just changed to the high kick," Makhachev said. "This is what we trained the last couple months for Oliveira and nothing changed, same thing for Volkanovski. I want to say thank you to [Volkanovski], he is a real champion. He is going to fight all five rounds and never give up. He is a real champion."
Islam Makhachev (R) of Russia kicks Alexander Volkanovski of Australia in the head at UFC 294 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, October 21, 2023. /CFP
Volkanovski hadn't been defeated in the first bout since his fourth fight in 2013. Saturday's loss cost him the chance to hold belts of two weights for the second time in 2023, but he still keeps his 145-pound featherweight championship.
"Obviously, it was a great setup, a good kick," Volkanovski said. "It hurts me. He's a great champion. What do you do? I back myself every single time. Credit to him. I just want to say to the UFC, please keep me busy."
Khamzat Chimaev (R) of Sweden punches Kamaru Usman of the U.S. at UFC 294 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, October 21, 2023. /CFP
On the same night, middleweight Khamzat Chimaev of Sweden beat Kamaru Usman of the U.S. by majority decision, extending his undefeated record to 13-0. However, he also broke his right hand.
"First round, I think I broke my hand and finger," Chimaev told ESPN. "I couldn't punch hard with right hand. My right hand is a big weapon. When you can't use it, it's hard to work. I will check my hand. If it's good, I'm gonna try to lift the weights and be ready for the next one."
He is in line to fight middleweight champion Sean Strickland of the U.S., according to UFC president Dana White.