UFC 294: Islam Makhachev proves his mettle with stunning win against Alexander Volkanovski

Khamzat Chimaev defeats Kamaru Usman after intense battle, UAE's Mohammed Yahya puts up brave fight in Abu Dhabi

Islam Makhachev after his win via knockout in the first round of their UFC 294 lightweight title fight in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, October 21, 2023. All images Chris Whiteoak / The National

Islam Makhachev knocks out Alexander Volkanovski to defend his lightweight title at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi

Islam Makhachev knocks out Alexander Volkanovski with a kick.

Alexander Volkanovski after his defeat

Islam Makhachev proved too strong for Alexander Volkanovski

Khamzat Chimaev during his bout against Kamaru Usman in their middleweight bout at UFC 294

Khamzat Chimaev takes down Kamaru Usman

Khamzat Chimaev won a majority decision against Kamaru Usman

Johnny Walker, green shorts, during his light heavyweight bout against Magomed Ankalaev

Johnny Walker has to be held back after his fight with Magomed Ankalaev is declared a no contest

Ikram Aliskerov after defeating Warlley Alves by TKO in their middleweight bout

Ikram Aliskerov, white shorts, during his win over Warlley Alves

Ikram Aliskerov celebrates his win in Abu Dhabi

Said Nurmagomedov, white shorts, submits Muin Gafurov in their bantamweight bout

Mohammed Yahya, right, created history for the UAE as he took on Trevor Peek in a lightweight bout in Abu Dhabi

Trevor Peek defeated UAE's Mohammed Yahya in Abu Dhabi

Muhammad Mokaev, white shorts, overpowered Tim Elliott in their flyweight bout

Muhammad Mokaev celebrates his win over Tim Elliott

Sharabutdin Magomedov, red shorts, takes on Bruno Silva in their middleweight bout at UFC 294

Sharabutdin Magomedov defeated Bruno Silva on Saturday

Victoria Dudakova, grey shorts, on route to victory against Jinh Yu Frey in their catchweight bout

Muhammad Naimov, white shorts, takes on Nathaniel Wood

Muhammad Naimov celebrates his win

Muhammad Naimov defends against Nathaniel Wood

Mike Breeden celebrates his win over debutant Anshul Jubli

Sedriques Dumas after defeating Abu Azaitar

Sedriques Dumas on his way to victory over Abu Azaitar

Javid Basharat, white shorts, kicked the groin of Victor Henry, leading to a no contest in their bantamweight bout

Fans arrive at the Etihad Arena for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi

Islam Makhachev retained the UFC lightweight title in spectacular fashion in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night, defeating Alexander Volkanovski in their rematch at UFC 294.

The Dagestani, who captured the belt in the capital last October, registered a first-round TKO at a sold-out Etihad Arena, stunning his opponent with a superb head kick before finishing the fight with vicious ground and pound.

The triumph, coming off the back of his victory against Volkanovski in February, lifted Makhachev’s win streak to 13. The belt-holder was initially to rematch Charles Oliveira, a repeat of the headline bout in Abu Dhabi 12 months ago, but the Brazilian was forced to withdraw earlier this month through injury.

Volkanovski, the current featherweight champion, stepped in on 11 days’ notice.

Speaking inside the octagon immediately after the win, Makhachev said: “I have a great team. We always did this in the locker room, in the training — pushed me very hard. I showed him a couple of low kicks, couple of body kicks, and then changed to head kick.

“I want to say thank you to this guy [Volkanovski]. He’s a real champion.”

Asked who he wanted to face next, Makhachev said: “I never choose. [UFC CEO] Dana [White], you have to give me some job. Give me someone.”

In the night’s co-main event, middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev came through a majority decision against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. The judges scored the bout 29-27, 29-27, 28-28.

The win means Chimaev, who was competing for the first time in 13 months, remains unbeaten in all 13 pro fights. He is expected to next challenge middleweight champion Sean Strickland for the title at some stage in 2024.

Elsewhere on the card, UAE history-maker Mohammed Yahya lost a unanimous decision to Trevor Peek, with the judges scoring the contest 29-28, 30-27, 30-27 in the American’s favour. Yahya, from Dubai, became the first Emirati to compete in the UFC.

Also, Muhammad Mokaev extended his unbeaten run through both the amateur and professional ranks with a third-round submission victory against American veteran Tim Elliott.

Mokaev, aged 23, maintains not only his unblemished record – he is 11-0 as a pro – but his quest to become the youngest champion in UFC history.

There was some controversy on night, too, when the light-heavyweight bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker was declared a no contest because of an accidental foul three minutes into Round 1.

Walker received an illegal knee to the head from Ankalev while his own knee was touching the canvas. The Brazilian demanded to continue, but the cage-side physician ruled that he could not go on, much to his annoyance, and the packed Etihad Arena.