Tag: Islam Makhachev

Video: Israel Adesanya Reacts to Islam Makhachev’s Brutal Head Kick KO of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294

Israel AdesanyaFormer two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was left understandly distraught after seeing his teammate, Alexander Volkanovski, go down to…

Israel Adesanya

Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was left understandly distraught after seeing his teammate, Alexander Volkanovski, go down to a vicious first-round head kick in the UFC 294 headliner.

Stepping into the Octagon to run back their February Fight of the Year contender on just 11 days’ notice, Alexander Volkanovski was as confident as ever that he could solve the puzzle that the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ presents. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be as the reigning featherweight champ succumbed to a perfectly-timed head kick three minutes into the contest.

Watching from the comfort of his home, Volkanovski’s City Kickboxing teammate Israel Adesanya was hoping to see his friend leave Abu Dhabi as a double champion. Instead, ‘The Last Stylebender’ would be left in shock after seeing Volkanovski come up short for the second-straight time against the lightweight world champion.

“F*ck. It was that left kick from southpaw,” Adesanya said in his reaction video on YouTube. “It went over the head and just clipped him. I think he caught him with it in the first fight, maybe. Still the best, bro. I love you, dude. F*ck! It was there, but it just scraped over him. F*ck.”

Coming up short of claiming his second UFC title, Alexander Volkanovski will likely return to the 145-pound division where Ilia Topuria anxiously awaits his opportunity to challenge for the featherweight championship.

Meanwhile, Israel Adesanya will continue to sit on the sidelines and enjoy some time away from the Octagon after his own devastating defeat at the hands of Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September. The loss came five months after reclaiming the belt from long-time foe Alex Pereira. The ‘Stylebender’ has not provided any sort of timeline for his return to the Octagon, but he did acknowledge that it would be “a long time” before we see him compete again.

Joe Rogan Left Stunned by Islam Makhachev’s Epic Head Kick KO at UFC 294: ‘I’m Just So Impressed’

Joe RoganJoe Rogan was in awe of Islam Makhachev after the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ finished featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski with a…

Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan was in awe of Islam Makhachev after the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ finished featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski with a perfectly-timed head kick in the opening round of their UFC 294 headliner.

Eight months removed from their Fight of the Year contender at UFC 284, Islam Makhachev left no questions unanswered this time around has be managed to stop Alexander Volkanovski just past the three-minute mark of the opening round.

No longer traveling out of the country for UFC events, longtime commentator Joe Rogan watched the festivities unfold alongside friends including former heavyweight standout Brendan Schaub and comedian Bryan Callen. Needless to say, the popular podcaster was left stunned by Makhachev’s performance against one of the greatest fighters to ever grace the Octagon.

“Oh my God! He head kicked him,” Rogan said. “Wow! What a shocker. Who would have saw that coming? It was amazing. Shin to the dome, opened up a cut. It was perfect. Islam, man. He showed a bunch of new sh*t. That front kick, and he was throwing that kick to the body, and then he threw the same kick to the head.”

“I’m just so impressed that he won that way,” Rogan added. “He showed so much improvement. He really made adjustments because they must have trained for Volkanovski again, even though he wasn’t fighting Volkanovski (originally). I’m sure they went over all the different things that Volkanovski did, and what are the counters to those things, and he shut a lot of it down. He shut down that switch kick to the outside leg, throwing that front kick up the middle, set up the head kick.”

“He knocked (down) Oliveira in the last fight – remember, his striking was his weakest point. Now it’s f*cking as dangerous as anybody in the division. You knock out Volkanovski? Sh*t” (h/t MMA Junkie).

With Makhachev going two-up on Alexander Volkanovski, ‘The Great’ will likely return to his throne at 145 while the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ turns his attention back toward a loaded lightweight top-ten and potential matchups with his original UFC 294 opponent, Charles Oliveira, and/or current BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje.

Rafael Dos Anjos claims he can take title from Islam Makhachev in fight after UFC 294: ‘He knows that’

Rafael dos Anjos claims Islam Makhachev knows he can beat him after UFC 294The lightweight legend Rafael Dos Anjos is very confident that he could defeat Islam Makhachev inside the UFC octagon….

Rafael dos Anjos claims Islam Makhachev knows he can beat him after UFC 294

The lightweight legend Rafael Dos Anjos is very confident that he could defeat Islam Makhachev inside the UFC octagon.

3-2 in his last five, RDA is finding himself in crunch time at this stage of his career. With only a small handful of battles seemingly still possible, and not much time to get them done: Dos Anjos is faced with a late-career conundrum. He’s got to maximize the potential of the fights he does take, while also getting them done before Father Time can continue to work his magic.

At 38, RDA would be considered at the end of his prime in a division like the heavyweight division. At lightweight, or welterweight, 38 years of age is literally ancient. So, Dos Anjos must achieve whatever he’s looking to achieve before time runs out and he’s forced to retire. With all of the young, fearsome talent developing in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions: it’s only a matter of time before the general consensus favors a swift retirement by Rafael Dos Anjos.

So, it’s really of no surprise that the living legend is trying to sell a fight between him and the seemingly unstoppable lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Rafael Dos Anjos wants Islam Makhachev, Doesn’t think anybody else in the division could defeat him

Taking to social media platform, X, Rafael Dos Anjos shared his thoughts regarding a matchup between him and the lightweight champion. “Looking at lightweight rankings,” he began. “I don’t see anyone other than me to beat Islam and he knows that #UFC294.”

While this may seem extremely comical to anybody not completely oblivious to the sport: many forget to reflect on RDA’s resume. The man is a legend for a reason. RDA has never shied away from any tough matchup. He’s faced the most dangerous and brutal killers in multiple divisions and continues to do so even while he’s now reached an age that many consider very old for his division.

Even still, the warrior spirit of RDA shines through. He doesn’t want some scrub that he can obliterate and retire off of an impressive win. He wants a title shot against Islam Makhachev, the man who just knocked out the greatest featherweight to ever grace the division in Alexander Volkanovski.

While the chances of Rafael Dos Anjos getting any shot against Islam Makhachev are slim to none, the chance was there at one point. In fact, three times. So, it does make sense that RDA feels like he can defeat Makhachev. Few in the division have actually worked a full camp in dedication to a fight with the guy, let alone three times such as RDA has.

Who do you think would’ve won between a prime RDA compared to Islam Makhachev?

Islam Makhachev warns Charles Oliveira against rematch fight after UFC 294: ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea’

Islam Makhachev issues warning to Charles Oliveira rematch not a good idea after UFC 294Following last night’s stunning lightweight title defense win against Alexander Volkanovski, Islam Makhachev has warned former-foe, Charles Oliveira against…

Islam Makhachev issues warning to Charles Oliveira rematch not a good idea after UFC 294

Following last night’s stunning lightweight title defense win against Alexander Volkanovski, Islam Makhachev has warned former-foe, Charles Oliveira against pursuing a rebooked rematch against him for the belt, claiming doing so would not be a “good idea” for him.

Headlining UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE in a reworked title fight re-run against two-time featherweight champion, Volkanovski, Makhachev defended his championship for the second occasion against the Australian, dispatching him with a brutal left high-kick KO in the opening round. 

Initially scheduled to headline the flagship return to the Middle East against the above-mentioned Oliveira in a championship rematch, Makhachev was booked against Volkanovski just 10 days’ out from the event, after the Brazilian suffered a nasty laceration above his right eye during his final sparring session before jetting out to Abu Dhabi.

Islam Makhachev warns Charles Oliveira against a title rematch after UFC 294

And despite noting his plans to make a welterweight division leap following his win over Volkanovski, Russian berserker, Makhachev has already been earmarked to reschedule a title defense against Oliveira by UFC CEO, Dana White, who confirmed the Sao Paulo finisher would fight for gold next.

“Yeah, listen, you gotta give it to (Charles) Oliveira, I mean,” Dana White told assembled media after UFC 294. “Oliveira was ready to go. Unfortunately, he got cut. But yeah, I think you give it to Oliveira. But again, these are all questions that I really can’t answer right now. We get home, we’ll figure this stuff out and see what’s next for everybody.”

However, as far as Makhachev is concerned, Oliveira should think twice if not thrice before booking a rematch against him, warning him that it would be an unwise decision to do so.

“It’s not my job [to book my next fight],” Islam Makhachev said after UFC 294. “Dana (White) has to work on this, and I will sign the contract. Just send me the name. But in my opinion, I feel like I already had two opponents. Okay, I will beat Charles. Then who is going to be next? (Justin) Gaethje –  he will wait. I don’t think it’s a good idea. But it is what it is. If they [the UFC] say Charles, okay, If they say, Gaethje, okay. Doesn’t matter, I’ll be ready.”

Would you like to see Islam Makhachev rematch Charles Oliveira after UFC 294?

Islam Makhachev remains betting favorite to beat Charles Oliviera in title fight rematch after UFC 294 victory

Islam Makhachev remains betting favorite over Charles Oliveira after UFC 294 winDespite seeing his championship rematch with former lightweight titleholder, Charles Oliveira fall to the wayside ahead of UFC 294,…

Islam Makhachev remains betting favorite over Charles Oliveira after UFC 294 win

Despite seeing his championship rematch with former lightweight titleholder, Charles Oliveira fall to the wayside ahead of UFC 294, last night’s stunning finish for Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi, UAE sees the Russian champion maintain his lead on the betting lines to defeat the former in a potential future title fight.

Makhachev, the incumbent lightweight champion, headlined last night’s return to the Middle East for the Octagon, turning in a spectacular first round win over pound-for-pound best and featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski in another rematch clash, stopping the Australian with a thunderous opening round high-kick KO win.

Drafting in to replace Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira on just 10 days’ notice earlier this month, Volkanovski shared the Octagon with Makhachev in an attempt to avenge a February unanimous decision loss to the Russian in a Perth homecoming.

Islam Makhachev leads betting lines over Charles Oliveira after UFC 294

However, turning in his second consecutive title fight win over the New South Wales native, Islam Makhachev has maintained lines as high as -350 to beat ex-champion, Oliveira if they’re booked opposite each other again, with the former sitting as a +275 betting underdog. 

A host of markets and online bookies are still offering action on a potential future rematch between Makhachev and Oliveira – including other writing paper service, as odds appear to point to another one-sided victory for the Russian over his Brazilian rival if they fight again. 

Sharing the Octagon for the first time back in October of last year at UFC 280 in a vacant title outing, Makhachev recorded a one-sided and comprehensive victory over ex-champion, Oliveira.

Failing to mount any real significant offense against the Russian all-rounder, Oliveira saw his division-best 11-fight winning streak come to a crushing end in the form of a second round arm-triangle submission losses to Makhachev at the Etihad Arena.

And returning to the Octagon for the first time since in June of this year in Canada, Oliveira snapped his winless run in ‘The Great White North’ – making short work of the surging, Beneil Dariush with a high-kick knockdown and follow-up strikes en route to a first round TKO win over the Iranian.

However, forced from last night’s slated rematch with Islam Makhachev after suffering a sizeable laceration above his right eye, Oliveira has since been tipped to likely return to a championship fight with the former, by UFC CEO, Dana White.

Speaking with assembled media following the culmination of UFC 294 last night, the long-time organizational boss appeared to only have eyes for a future title fight between Makhachev and Oliveira, claiming the promotion had to honor the rematch afforded to the Brazilian, who dispatched Dariush in blistering fashion at UFC 288 earlier this summer. 

Remaining non-committal on a re-booked fight with Oliveira, however, Islam Makhachev – who was the immediate subject of a call out from former interim titleholder and recently-minted BMF champion, Justin Gaethje, claimed he would fight whomever the promotion elected to pit him against in his return to the Octagon. 

Furthermore, expected to have a keen eye on how UFC 296’s title fight between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington plays out, Makhachev has stressed his intentions to land a second championship belt during his tenure with the promotion. 

Do you still want to see Islam Makhachev fight Charles Oliveira after UFC 294?