Tag: UFC 284

Paddy Pimblett claims Islam Makhachev was ‘Hanging on for dear life’ at UFC 284, scored fight a draw

Paddy Pimblett UFC 284 Islam MakhachevPromotional-perfect UFC lightweight contender, Paddy Pimblett has claimed division champion, Islam Makahchev was “hanging on for dear life” in his UFC 284 title fight against featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski, maintaining the fight likely should have been scored a draw.  Pimblett, a former undisputed Cage Warriors featherweight champion, most recently co-headlined UFC 282 back in December […]

Paddy Pimblett UFC 284 Islam Makhachev

Promotional-perfect UFC lightweight contender, Paddy Pimblett has claimed division champion, Islam Makahchev was “hanging on for dear life” in his UFC 284 title fight against featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski, maintaining the fight likely should have been scored a draw. 

Pimblett, a former undisputed Cage Warriors featherweight champion, most recently co-headlined UFC 282 back in December against Queens native, Jared Gordon, moving to 4-0 in the promotion with a close, debated unanimous decision victory of his own. 

The victory came off the back of a trio of prior UFC finishes for Paddy Pimblett, after he secured consecutive submission stoppages of Jordan Leavitt, and Kazula Vargas – to go with a debut knockout success against Luigi Vendramini. 

Headlining this month’s pay-per-view event in Perth, Australia – Makhachev managed to successfully defend his lightweight crown at the first time of asking, defeating featherweight champion, Volkanovski in a close, competitive unanimous decision win of his own. 

Paddy Pimblett claims Islam Makhachev just about survived at UFC 284

Sharing his thoughts on the close nature of the fight, Pimblett claimed Makhachev was “hanging on for dear life” in the final round against Volkanovski.

“I thought it was a draw,” Paddy Pimblett told MMA Junkie during a recent interview. “I thoight the last round was a 10-8 for Volk (Alexander Volkanovski), and he’d won one other round. But Islam (Makhachev) won three rounds with control. He didn’t do much when he had the control but if someone’s on your back, you’re losing. Even if you’re talking to them and punching them. I personally thought it was a draw, ‘cause [in] that last round Makhachev was hanging on for dear life.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda) 

Off the back of his first organizational loss, Volkanovski has been linked with both an immediate lightweight title rematch with Makhachev, however, UFC president, Dana White has floated a featherweight title unification fight with Yair Rodríguez for the Australian first and foremost.

Bruce Buffer: UFC 284 Was A “Dominating Loss” For Alexander Volkanovski

UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer has suggested a unique way to describe Alexander Volkanovski’s performance against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. The highly-anticipated champion-versus-champion matchup was set up immediately after the conclusion of UFC 28…

UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer has suggested a unique way to describe Alexander Volkanovski’s performance against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. The highly-anticipated champion-versus-champion matchup was set up immediately after the conclusion of UFC 280, which saw Islam Makhachev claim the promotion’s lightweight title by submitting Charles Oliveira. Volkanovski was in attendance for that fight…

Continue Reading Bruce Buffer: UFC 284 Was A “Dominating Loss” For Alexander Volkanovski at MMA News.

Modestas Bukauskas details spirited walkout energy ahead of UFC 284 return: ‘I could feel ancestors giving me strength’

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 WalkoutUFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents. Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in […]

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 Walkout

UFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents.

Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in the most high-profile victory of his professional career to date, travelling to hostile territory to land a close, unanimous decision win over Tyson Pedro ‘Down Under’.

The victory came as Bukauskas’ third consecutively, having regained the Cage Warriors heavyweight crown with a one-sided eventual fourth round knockout win over Chuck Campbell back in December of last year. 

14-5 as a professional, Bukauskas had previously competed four times under the Dana White-led banner – dispatching Andreas Michailidis with strikes, before suffering a trio of defeats against Jimmy Crute, Michal Oleksiejczuk, and a devastating TKO defeat to Khalil Rountree Jr. – suffering a debilitating knee injury to boot. 

Modestas Bukauskas details an energy-filled walkout experience ahead of UFC 284

Sharing his experience of walking out in front of a hostile crowd at the RAC Arena ahead of his UFC comeback against Pedro, Bukauskas explained how he felt “strength” was provided to him from ancestors and his late grandparents ahead of his fight.

“I had a very, sort of euphoric opening walkout, actually,” Modestas Bukauskas told LowKick MMA reporter, Frank Bonada. “I felt a real energy, like although I was getting booed, like when I was walking out, I felt so calm. It was weird to me, to have felt that calm. It was probably the most present I ever felt. I felt really in the moment – I could feel everything, I could see everything, I could hear everything – everything just felt like ‘4K’.”

“…Here I felt in the moment, ready to go,” Modestas Bukauskas explained. “I could feel my ancestors giving me strength and energy. And even like my – like I had a weird moment where I felt like my grandparents like presence, ‘cause they both passed away from my dad’s side. And I remember just saying to my dad before we walked out, I said, you know, ‘Grandma and grandad, they’ve given up energy. I’m feeling it. We’re going to go in and do the job.’” 

Modestas Bukauskas details spirited walkout energy ahead of UFC 284 return: ‘I could feel ancestors giving me strength’

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 WalkoutUFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents. Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in […]

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 Walkout

UFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents.

Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in the most high-profile victory of his professional career to date, travelling to hostile territory to land a close, unanimous decision win over Tyson Pedro ‘Down Under’.

The victory came as Bukauskas’ third consecutively, having regained the Cage Warriors heavyweight crown with a one-sided eventual fourth round knockout win over Chuck Campbell back in December of last year. 

14-5 as a professional, Bukauskas had previously competed four times under the Dana White-led banner – dispatching Andreas Michailidis with strikes, before suffering a trio of defeats against Jimmy Crute, Michal Oleksiejczuk, and a devastating TKO defeat to Khalil Rountree Jr. – suffering a debilitating knee injury to boot. 

Modestas Bukauskas details an energy-filled walkout experience ahead of UFC 284

Sharing his experience of walking out in front of a hostile crowd at the RAC Arena ahead of his UFC comeback against Pedro, Bukauskas explained how he felt “strength” was provided to him from ancestors and his late grandparents ahead of his fight.

“I had a very, sort of euphoric opening walkout, actually,” Modestas Bukauskas told LowKick MMA reporter, Frank Bonada. “I felt a real energy, like although I was getting booed, like when I was walking out, I felt so calm. It was weird to me, to have felt that calm. It was probably the most present I ever felt. I felt really in the moment – I could feel everything, I could see everything, I could hear everything – everything just felt like ‘4K’.”

“…Here I felt in the moment, ready to go,” Modestas Bukauskas explained. “I could feel my ancestors giving me strength and energy. And even like my – like I had a weird moment where I felt like my grandparents like presence, ‘cause they both passed away from my dad’s side. And I remember just saying to my dad before we walked out, I said, you know, ‘Grandma and grandad, they’ve given up energy. I’m feeling it. We’re going to go in and do the job.’” 

Dana White unsure on Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski title rematch: ‘We didn’t make any fights yet’

Islam Makhachev UFC Dana White Alexander Volkanovski rematchWilling to make a lightweight title rematch between current division champion, Islam Makhachev, and featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski in the future – UFC president, Dana White admits an immediate showdown between the duo may not be on the cards, however. Headlining UFC 284 earlier this month, Islam Makhachev managed to successfully defend his lightweight crown […]

Islam Makhachev UFC Dana White Alexander Volkanovski rematch

Willing to make a lightweight title rematch between current division champion, Islam Makhachev, and featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski in the future – UFC president, Dana White admits an immediate showdown between the duo may not be on the cards, however.

Headlining UFC 284 earlier this month, Islam Makhachev managed to successfully defend his lightweight crown at the first time of asking against Volkanovski, landing a close, competitive unanimous decision victory over the New South Wales native.

Dropping his first promotional loss at the Perth, Australia event – Volkanovski, who made his lightweight division bow at UFC 284, most recently landed a third career win over Max Holloway back in July of last year.

And set to face championship opposition once more in his immediate Octagon return, Volkanovski headlined the aforenoted event ahead of an interim featherweight title fight between eventual victor Yair Rodríguez and Josh Emmett – with the former clinching the interim crown with a second round triangle victory.

Dana White unsure on immediate title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski

Despite both Makhachev and Volkanovski’s willingness to fight each other again right away in their next respective outings, UFC leader, White admits that while he wants to see the duo fight again – they may not share the Octagon together immediately.

“I mean, listen, I don’t know,” Dana White said of an immediate rematch during the post-fight press conference following UFC Vegas 70. “We didn’t make any fights yet. There are a lot of different things that play out in making these fights, you know. Timing, injuries, personal stuff, whatever it might be.”

“But, yeah, to me, the fight that makes sense is to make Yair (Rodríguez) versus (Alexander) Volkanovski, Islam (Makhachev) versus somebody whenever that happens,” Dana White explained. “And then you do the rematch.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda) 

In the midst of a 12-fight undefeated run, Islam Makhachev clinched the vacant lightweight crown with a second round arm-triangle win over former undisputed champion, Charles Oliveira back in October at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. 

Yair Rodriguez brands himself as undisputed UFC featherweight champion in Alexander Volkanovski’s potential absence

Yair RodriguezYair Rodriguez is riding high after capturing the UFC interim featherweight championship at UFC 284. With reigning 145-pound champion Alexander Volkanovski moving up to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title, the UFC established an interim championship which was won by Rodriguez following a second-round submission of Josh Emmett earlier this month. The next task […]

Yair Rodriguez

Yair Rodriguez is riding high after capturing the UFC interim featherweight championship at UFC 284.

With reigning 145-pound champion Alexander Volkanovski moving up to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title, the UFC established an interim championship which was won by Rodriguez following a second-round submission of Josh Emmett earlier this month. The next task for Rodriguez is unifying the titles in a showdown with Volkanovski who was expected to return to the featherweight division after coming up short in his bid to become a two-division titleholder. However, that may not be the case.

If things go Alexander Volkanovski’s way, he’ll get another crack at Islam Makhachev after the pair delivered a highly entertaining and closely contested 25-minute war in the UFC 284 main event. Should the UFC decide to run back the battle of the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Yair Rodriguez will gladly take the undisputed crown and defend it himself.

Yair Rodriguez Will Not Wait Around for Alexander Volkanovski

Appearing on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Yair Rodriguez revealed that he has not heard anything from the UFC matchmakers as of yet, but if Alexander Volkanovski isn’t going to return to featherweight, he’ll move on to fighting someone else for 145-pound supremacy.

“Nothing,” Rodriguez said when asked if he had heard anything from the UFC. “I think it’s just too soon to hear something like that. But whatever, at the end of the day, if he decides not to defend the title, that would make me the undisputed champion. Why? Because I’m going to defend the belt against somebody else, and what’s going to happen? I’m going to be the undisputed champion.

“If he decides to come and fight at 145 pounds again, then whoever wins that fight will be the undisputed. So regardless of the situation, it’s one of those situations that are, like, you have to fight again. That’s why I didn’t want to take the Josh Emmett fight, because he’s a beast. You need to be really smart in this game because everybody’s tough in this game, everybody’s tough. … Now, if Alexander Volkanovski decides not to go down to 145 pounds, then I have to fight again to get the undisputed belt.”

Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev delivered a Fight of the Year contender that undeniably left fans wanting more, and many of them crying foul, believing ‘The Great’ did more than enough to deliver an upset and snatch the 155-pound title. Verdict, the popular fan-scoring app, also confirmed that fans around the world had Volkanovski winning the bout by a fair margin. Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan agreed, publicly stating that he saw it in favor of Volkanovski.

With fans and fighters seemingly split down the middle, a rematch between the two pound-for-pound titans would be an easy sell for the UFC. Unfortunately, doing so will leave some high-ranking lightweights along with Yair Rodriguez waiting for their time in the main event spotlight.