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.

Islam Makhachev's UFC record stood at 14-1-0, 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 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 28 less professional rounds, 54 to Volkanovski's 82.

Makhachev vs Volkanovski form

Makhachev had won all 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 1 opponent and going to the judges 4 times.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had won against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 on 22nd October 2022 by submission in the 2nd round in their UFC Lightweight championship fight at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Previous to that, he had beaten Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night on 26th February 2022 by knockout in the 1st round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas, United States.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Dan Hooker at UFC 267 on 30th October 2021 by submission in the 1st round.

Before that, he was victorious against Thiago Moises at UFC Vegas 31 on 17th July 2021 by submission in the 4th round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas, United States.

He had won against Drew Dober at UFC 259 on 6th March 2021 by submission in the 3rd round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

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 beaten 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 defeated 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 was victorious against 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 had won 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 beaten 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

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Islam Makhachev had been fighting more than Alexander Volkanovski.

Going to this contest, Islam Makhachev had last fought 1 year, 6 months and 2 days ago, while Alexander Volkanovski's last outing had been 1 year, 9 months and 22 days ago.

Makhachev's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 1 month and 18 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 17 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 11 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.2 rounds on average.

Volkanovski's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 4 months and 10 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 10 months and 14 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.