ISLAM MAKHACHEV survived a late knockdown to become the pound-for-pound king of the UFC jungle in a thrilling showdown with Alexander Volkanovski.
The Russian wrecking machine saw off the featherweight champion's challenge for his lightweight throne in front of a hostile crowd in Perth, Australia in the main event of UFC 284 early this morning.
Makhachev retained his title with a unanimous decision victory over the Aussie, with the judges scoring the fight 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 in his favour.
The Dagestani destroyer's victory over Volkanovski on enemy territory registered his first defence of the lightweight title he claimed last October and made him the undisputed best MMA fighter on the planet.
Volk started the mouthwatering showdown happy to operate on the outside and feint his way in as chants of “Ole, ole, ole” ring throughout the RAC Arena.
The challenger utilised lots of stance switches early Volk to try and overload the mind of Makhachev.
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And they set up a good right hand lands that sent the champion backwards and drew a big reaction from the crowd. Makhachev backwards.
But his lack of respect for Makhachev's striking prowess soon came to the fore when he got dropped in a wild exchange, although he did manage to quickly return to his feet.
He quickly found himself on the ground after being pressed up against the cage and ended the round fighting off a neck crank attempt after some beautiful back control from Makhachev.
Volk started the second round as he did the first, looking to feint his way in but with less footwork.
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And he, like the crowd, will have no doubt been buoyed when Makhachev misses with a telegraphed left hand.
But his confidence in becoming a champ-champ grew massively as he dropped a retreating Makhachev against the fence.
The Dagestani, however, managed to transition to a takedown and held on until Volkanovski managed to break his grip and land a nice knee on the break.
And he would've been stunned when Volk flipped the script and tried to take him down against the cage.
Makhachev's continually-improving striking was on show late in teh round when he stunned Volk with a beautiful counter left.
Volk recovered quickly and ended the round fending off a crushing Thai clinch.
The passionate Perth crowd were quick to rally behind Volk as the third started.
And they rose to their feet when Makhachev was unbalanced by a leg kick.
They were, however, quickly deflated by when Makhachev shot for a takedown midway through the round and grounded the fight.
Volkanovski once again managed to make his way back to his feet and forced a clinch of his own against the fence.
Heavy leather was traded after the break, although Makhachev got the better of the exchanges with a good counter left hand.
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Volkanovski was left frustrated in the fourth after Makhachev grounded him with a beautifully-timed takedown – so much so he started talking smack to his opponents corner.
Makhachev's impressive back control saw him see out the round on top, although he did have to deal with several over-the-shoulder punches from a fired-up Volk.
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