Makhachev vs Volkanovski

Who won Makhachev vs Volkanovski?

Islam Makhachev beat Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest during the main event of UFC 284, on Saturday 11th February 2023 at RAC Arena in Perth.

The scorecards were announced as 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 in favor of the winner Islam Makhachev.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 5 rounds in the Lightweight division, which meant the weight limit was 155 pounds (11.1 stone or 70.3 KG).

This contest was for the UFC Lightweight championship.

Makhachev vs Volkanovski stats

Islam Makhachev stepped into the octagon with a record of 23 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws, 4 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 11 by submission.

Alexander Volkanovski made his way to the cage with a record of 25 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws, 12 of those wins coming by knock out and 3 by submission.

This was Islam Makhachev's 16th fight in the UFC, having made his debut for the promotion in 2015.

Islam Makhachev's UFC record stood at 15-1-0, while Alexander Volkanovski's came in at 13-3-0.

The stats suggested Volkanovski had a massive power advantage over Makhachev, boasting a 48% knock out percentage over Makhachev's 17%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Makhachev had a massive advantage over Volkanovski, boasting a 48% submission rate over Volkanovski's 12%.

Islam Makhachev was the younger man by 3 years, at 32 years old.

Makhachev had a height advantage of 4 inches over Volkanovski. Despite this, Volkanovski had a 2-inch reach advantage.

Makhachev was arguably the less experienced fighter, having had 2 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2010, 1 year and 9 months earlier than Volkanovski, whose first professional fight was in 2012. He had fought 23 less professional rounds, 59 to Volkanovski's 82.

Makhachev vs Volkanovski form

Volkanovski had won all 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 1opponent and going the distance 4 times.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won against Max Holloway at UFC 276 on 2nd July 2022 by unanimous decision in their UFC Featherweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States.

Previous to that, he had beaten Chan Sung Jung at UFC 273 on 9th April 2022 by knockout in the 4th round in their UFC Featherweight championship fight at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Brian Ortega at UFC 266 on 25th September 2021 by unanimous decision in their UFC Featherweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

Before that, he was victorious against Max Holloway at UFC 251 on 11th July 2020 by split decision in their UFC Featherweight championship fight at UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

He had won against Max Holloway at UFC 245 on 14th December 2019 by unanimous decision in their UFC Featherweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States.

Activity check

Makhachev's last 3 fights had come over a period of 5 years, 3 months and 4 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 1 year, 9 months and 2 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 9 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 3 rounds on average.

Volkanovski's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 7 months and 10 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 11 months and 2 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 24 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 4.8 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Makhachev vs Volkanovski?

Islam Makhachev was a 7/25 (-360) favourite going into the contest, while Alexander Volkanovski made his way into the ring at 11/4 (+280) with oddsmakers.