UFC 284: RAC Arena; Perth, Australia
Sometimes when you find yourself on the short end of the stick, you actually win in the long run. And that comes from the lessons you learn. So whether there is a flip-flop of pound-for-pound or not is inconsequential. Both Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski however have proved why for right now they sit atop those rankings. But now it’s back to divisional business for both fighters, where they will have their hands full.
The fact of the matter is this fight albeit a competitive, fun fight, wasn’t between two-vessels meeting in the night. It was a fight that Volkanovski willed, Makhachev wanted, and the UFC needed for an Australian card. And it was a fight that both fighters showed they were better in areas than first thought.
Volkanovski’s hand fighting, and scrambling has stepped up a level. And his body work and leg attacks have swapped places where he was once a major head-hunter. Volkanovski is more dangerous in space, and at least on this night, he got cut off consistently. Makhachev timed the blitz’s of Volkanovski, and has gotten even more defensively sound. Even with the ground-and-pound he took in round five, he doesn’t take serious damage. And he has gotten better on the feet.
Both fighters had their moments stinging each other. But, the 48-47 (2x), 49-46 unanimous decision score cards are defensible. There’s no legit arguing those.
Now Back To Divisional Business For 145 And 155
For the immediate chirping of “let’s see this again”; let’s hold off a bit. Featherweight now needs to unify their strap with the 34-year old champion and Yair Rodriguez. With Volkanovski now looking to start a new win streak he will be even more focused. But “El Pantera” is a seriously dangerous fighter coming from multiple angles with a solid gas tank.
And as far as lightweight goes; well throw a dart on the board and you can have a great fight for Makhachev. But the most deserving is Beneil Dariush who’s riding an eight-fight win streak. But make no mistakes the regular cast of characters in the division all want a piece of him. Can any of those beat him? Well sure, on any given night anything can happen, right?
However right now it’s hard to see that happening. Despite his chin never taking a shot like from Justin, or a well rounded battle from Dustin. Poirier’s kicks are more dangerous than Volkanovski’s and some truly hurt him. And whenever McGregor does step back in the cage against Chandler, a win; and it’s already probably on his mind that’ll be the Irishman’s call out. Even though at this point he should just do the “fun fights”, or at least stay at 170.
So perhaps the Australian and the Dagestani will face each other again. We just don’t need it anytime soon.
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