Tag: Islam Makhachev

Video – Conor McGregor accuses Islam Makhachev of cheating in UFC 294 knockout win

Conor McGregor accuses Islam Makhachev of cheating back of head shots at UFC 294 in title winFormer two-weight champion, Conor McGregor has claimed Islam Makhachev cheated during the finishing sequence of his UFC 294 knockout…

Conor McGregor accuses Islam Makhachev of cheating back of head shots at UFC 294 in title win

Former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor has claimed Islam Makhachev cheated during the finishing sequence of his UFC 294 knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski last night, showing footage which appears to show the Russian land numerous strikes to the back of the Australian’s head ahead of his victory.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the organization, is lined up to snap a hiatus from the Octagon next year in a welterweight fight against Michael Chandler, having remained sidelined since fracturing his left leg in a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

Tuning into last night’s UFC 294 event in the Middle East, McGregor watched on as undisptued lightweight champion, Makhachev turned in a spectacular first round stoppage win over featherweight best, Volkanovski, finishing the New South Wales native with a hellacious left high-kick and some follow-up strikes.

However, upon further review from the Dubliner – who claimed Volkanovski was susceptible to a left high-kick from the southpaw stance, Makhachev was lucky not to be cautioned for landing a series of illegal strikes to the back of the Australian’s head.

Conor McGregor’s questions Islam Makhachev finish at UFC 294

“A difficult sport to ref,” Conor McGregor posted on his official X account in a now-deleted comment. “To stop that on a warning or a point deduction when Volk (Alexander Volkanovski) was essentially out already is a tricky one. But there would be grounds for it, 100%. [It] would have been nail-biting stuff. I’d have loved to see it happen. Back of the head shots are not good.” 

As well as criticizing Makhachev’s finishing sequence last night, McGregor also hit out at arch-enemy and former-foe, Khabib Nurmagomedov – again accusing the Russian of “quitting” amid his retirement from the sport more than three years ago.

Do you agree with Conor McGregor’s view on the ending of last night’s UFC 294 headliner?

Justin Gaethje calls for title fight with Islam Makhachev after shocking KO win at UFC 294: ‘I’m next’

Justin Gaethje calls for title fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 294 I'm nextFormer interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje has sights fixed firmly on earning a title fight with incumbent division gold…

Justin Gaethje calls for title fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 294 I'm next

Former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje has sights fixed firmly on earning a title fight with incumbent division gold holder, Islam Makhachev following last night’s UFC 294 main event – claiming he should be standing opposite the Russian next, after his thunderous KO win against Alexander Volkanovski.

Gaethje, the current number two ranked lightweight contender, landed himself the symbolic BMF championship in the main event of UFC 291 back in July, stopping fellow former interim champion and two-time foe, Dustin Poirier with a hellacious second round high-kick knockout.

And watching on following his teammate, former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman’s close, majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev last night in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Gaethje staked his claim for a title fight with Makhachev.

Headlining last night’s flagship return to the Middle East, Dagestan favorite, Makhachev dispatched two-time opponent and pound-for-pound kingpin, Volkanovski with a brutal finish – landing a first round high-kick KO to finish the featherweight champion in their highly-anticipated rematch.

Justin Gaethje eyes Islam Makhachev fight after UFC 294

And despite the fact UFC CEO, Dana White has already lined up a title re-run between Makhachev and former champion, Charles Oliveira, the above-mentioned, Gaethje has called for a shot at the belt next.

“I’m next,” Justin Gaethje posted on his official X account. 

“Heck of a performance by Islam (Makhachev),” Justin Gaethje posted on his X account. “I have a mountain to climb.” 

As far as Makhachev is concerned, while he believes the time for a rematch with Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira is not right now, he stressed furthermore that he would fight any contender the UFC put in front of him.

Prior to UFC 294 to boot, the American Kickboxing Academy staple noted his intentions to fight for welterweight gold in his return, with a keen eye on the December title fight between Leon Edwards, and Colby Covington. 

Would you like to see Justin Gaethje fight Islam Makhachev next?

Video: Joe Rogan Reacts to Alexander Volkanovski’s Devastating Head Kick KO Loss at UFC 294

Alexander VolkanovskiLongtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan was stunned by Islam Makhachev’s first-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294. As…

Alexander Volkanovski

Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan was stunned by Islam Makhachev’s first-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294.

As ‘The Great’ entered the Octagon for another crack at the lightweight world title on 11 days’ notice, fans expected a repeat of his performance eight months earlier when the two men first met at UFC 284. Instead, the MMA community was speechless as the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ delivered a highlight-reel-worthy head kick that dropped Volkanovski near the three-minute mark of the opening round.

Following it up with some ground-and-pound, the referee had no choice, but to step in and call for the stoppage.

Rogan, who no longer travels out of the country for UFC events, took in all the action on pay-per-view alongside former heavyweight standout Brendan Schaub and comedian Bryan Callen. In a video clip shared by Schaub on X, you can see the popular podcaster’s live reaction to the shocking moment.

Alexander Volkanovski Heads Back to 145 Still on Top

With the win, Makahhev moved to 25-1 in his mixed martial arts career with 14 of those victories coming under the UFC banner. Owner of back-to-back victories against Alexander Volkanovski, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ will likely look to settle things with his originally scheduled UFC 294 opponent, Charles Oliveira. Also waiting in the wings is current BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje.

As for Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champ will return to 145 for an inevitable showdown with Ilia Topuria. ‘The Great’ hopes to make that fight happen in January, but that all depends on whether or not he’s medically cleared following Saturday’s brutal knockout loss.

Watch Alexander Volkanovski’s full UFC 294 post-fight press appearance below:

Michael Chandler plans fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 294: ‘I knock him out’

Michael ChandlerAfter taking care of some long-gestating business with Conor McGregor, ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler has every intention of testing his…

Michael Chandler

After taking care of some long-gestating business with Conor McGregor, ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler has every intention of testing his mettle against reigning lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev.

UFC 294 saw Makhachev score a stunning first-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski to retain the 155-pound crown. With back-to-back wins against the current featherweight king, Makhachev will likely begin his search for a new challenger. In all likelihood, that will be BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje or Makhachev’s original UFC 294 opponent, Charles Oliveira. You can also add Michael Chandler to the list of fighters ready to throw down with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s successor.

“12 month plan…KO Conor and KO Islam. I’ve calibrated to right where I need to be,” Chandler wrote on X following Saturday’s pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi. “Settled in. See you soon boys.”

Michael Chandler didn’t stop there, suggesting Makkhachev wouldn’t know how to respond if someone dragged him into a dogfight.

“Islam hasn’t fought anyone who sees “red” – hasn’t been in a dogfight – he has fought polished guys…the dogfight is his kryptonite. #ufc294,” Chandler added in a follow-up post.

Before he gets another crack at becoming the UFC’s lightweight champ, Michael Chandler is expected to welcome Conor McGregor back to the Octagon sometime in 2024. Originally, the pair were slated to scrap in December at UFC 296 not long after wrapping up their coaching duties on the 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter. Unfortunately, McGregor failed to re-enter the USADA testing pool for the required six months of pre-fight screening, pushing their inevitable clash into the new year.

The Irishman has since jumped back in the pool, but with the UFC set to part ways with USADA, it’s possible we could see McGregor return long before hitting the six-month mark.

Dana White confirms Islam Makhachev will rematch Charles Oliveira after UFC 294 win: ‘You gotta give it to him’

Dana White confirms Islam Makhachev will fight Charles Oliveira after UFC 294 you gotta give it to himPromotional CEO, Dana White has confirmed plans to rebook a lightweight title fight between incumbent Islam Makhachev, and former…

Dana White confirms Islam Makhachev will fight Charles Oliveira after UFC 294 you gotta give it to him

Promotional CEO, Dana White has confirmed plans to rebook a lightweight title fight between incumbent Islam Makhachev, and former champion, Charles Oliveira, fresh off the former’s stunning title defense win over Alexander Volkanovski in tonight’s UFC 294 main event in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Headlining UFC 294 tonight in the Middle East, Russian lightweight great, Makhachev turned in a second career win over featherweight gold holder and pound-for-pound number one, Volkanovski, having defeated the former with a decision win back in February in their Perth, Australia grudge match.

However, tonight at the Eithad Arena, Makhachev put their rivalry and any questions of a close first fight to bed, dispatching Volkanovski with a spectacular opening round knockout, landing a brutal left high-kick to open a cut and force a stoppage win.

Remaining on tonight’s card in Abu Dhabi after a major reshuffling, Makhachev was initially scheduled to headline the flagship event against the above-mentioned, Oliveira in a rematch of their vacant title clash last October.

However, on just 10 days’ notice, Volkanovski was drafted in to fight Makhachev, after Sao Paulo finishing ace, Oliveira suffered a nasty cut over his right eyebrow during the final sparring session ahead of UFC 294.

Dana White plans Islam Makhachev – Charles Oliveira 2 after UFC 294

And despite plans for a welterweight division leap, amid the surge of former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje to boot, Makhachev has already been lined up to fight Brazilian favorite, Oliveira in a rescheduled bout by UFC boss, White.

“You’ve got to give it to (Charles) Oliveira…” Dana White said of a rematch between Islam Makahchev and Charles Oliveira whilst speaking with assembled media after UFC 294 tonight. “But again, these are all questions I can’t really answer right now.” 

First fighting back in October of last year in the main event of UFC 280, Makhachev snapped the record-setting winning run of former champion, Oliveira with a brutal second round win, dispatching the Brazilian with an arm-triangle to land the vacant lightweight crown in Abu Dhabi. 

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

Islam Makhachev Dominates in Brutal Fashion, Cements Status Among UFC’s Best

Islam Makhachev has long been hailed as the next Khabib Nurmagomedov, but after Saturday’s UFC 294 event in Abu Dhabi, there is reason to believe he may be…

Islam Makhachev has long been hailed as the next Khabib Nurmagomedov, but after Saturday’s UFC 294 event in Abu Dhabi, there is reason to believe he may be…