UFC 294 Results, Makhachev Stops Volkanovski in the 1st
UFC 294 emanates from the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The 13-fight card is headlined by a rematch for the UFC Lightweight title.
In February Islam Makhachev secured his first successful title defense beating Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision. The next challenger to the throne was to be Charles Oliveria who Makhachev took the title from. On less then two weeks notice Oliveira suffered a laceration to his eyebrow forcing him to withdraw from the fight. With only days to cut weight Alexander Volkanovski will again attempt to become a two-division champion.
The complexion of the co-main event was also changed at the last moment after an elbow infection sidelined Paulo Costa. Rising star Khamzat Chimaev will instead face former Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman as both men start a campaign towards a Middleweight title shot.
The risk of greatest comes with the peril of possibly failing just as hard. Islam Makhachev made well on his promise that unbothered eight-months of training for a fight in his desired location would yelled his masterpiece. A well crafted gameplan of attacking the body drew Volkanovski’s attention opening up the head kick to land across the brow leading to the first round finish.
The co-main event that went the distance showcasing the determination of both athletes. An early takedown in the first round led to dominate five minutes where Khamzat Chimaev landed heavy ground and pound along with a deep rear naked choke attempt. Usman stayed on his feet in the second round battling his way back pushing forward with leg kick and right hands. Usman continued to have success for the first half of the third round with his striking but a third effort would see Chimaev collect two minutes of control time winning the round on two of the judges scorecards for a majority decision win. A win that is believed to have secured Khamzat Chimaev a shot at Sean Strickland and the UFC Middleweight championship.
Main Card
- Lightweight Title: (Champ) Islam Makhachev (25-1) def. Alexander Volkanovski (26-3) by TKO (Head Kick & Punches) 3:06 R1
- Middleweight: Khamzat Chimaev (13-0) def. Kamaru Usman (20-4) by (28-28, 29-27 x2) Majority Decision
- Light-Heavyweight: Magomed Ankalaev (18-1-1) vs. Johnny Walker (21-7) No Contest (Illegal Knee) 3:13 R1
- Middleweight: Ikram Aliskerov (15-1) def. Marlley Alves (14-7) by TKO (Knee & Punches) 2:07 R1
- Bantamweight: Said Nurmagomedov (18-3) def. Muin Gafurov (18-6) by Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1
Prelims
- Flyweight: Muhammad Mokaev (10-0) def. Tim Elloitt (19-13-1) by Submission (Head & Arm Choke) 3:03 R3
- Lightweight: Trevor Peek (9-1) def. Mohammad Yahya (13-3) by (29-28, 30-27 x2) Unanimous Decision
- Bantamweight: Javid Basharat (14-0) vs. Victor Henry (23-6) No Contest (Low Blow) 0:15 R2
- Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas (9-1) def. Abu Azaitar (14-4-1) by (29-28 x3) Unanimous Decision
- Lightweight: Mike Breeden (11-6) def. Anshul Jubli (8-0) by KO (Chopping Right Hand) 3:00 R3
- Featherweight: Muhammad Naimov (10-2) def. Nathaniel Wood (19-6) by (29-28 x3) Unanimous Decision
- Women’s Strawweight: Victoria Dudakova (8-0) def. Jinh Yu Frey (11-10) by (29-28 x2) Unanimous Decision
- Middleweight: Sharabutdin Magomedov (12-0) def. Bruno Silva (23-10) by (30-27 x3) Unanimous Decision
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