Aussie Alexander Volkanovski will probably be again.
The featherweight king has damaged down in tears when dealing with reporters on Sunday morning following his painful KO defeat by the hands of Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi.
The highly-anticipated re-match ended within the blink of a watch when the light-weight champion all of a sudden ended the battle with a grimy excessive kick to Volkanovski’s head simply three minutes into the primary spherical.
UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 | SUN twenty second OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Major Occasion on Kayo Sports activities
The brutal finisher opened a nasty lower above Volkanovski’s eye and blood was pouring down his face.
Volkanovski had collapsed to the ground after the strike and was clearly in gaga-land. Extremely, the courageous Aussie even tried to proceed the battle.
Makhachev jumped on Volkanovski after he sunk to the ground and landed extra hammer fists to the Aussie’s face earlier than the battle was lastly stopped by the referee.
“That is laborious to look at,” UFC commentator Jon Anik stated on ESPN.
Main UFC commentator Ariel Helwani wrote it was “surprising to see” Volkanovski lose in that trend.
It was simply the second time in his profession that Volkanovski has been stopped — and the primary time since 2013 that he didn’t make it to the ultimate siren.
“Holy smokes,” former MMA fighter Paul Felder stated in commentary.
“That’s it. That’s the top of it [the rivalry].”
The battle began as a grappling squabble on the fence of the Octagon. Makhachev went on to land some good kicks to Volanovski’s physique. Then, BANG! Makhachev ended it on the spot with a head kick.
Volkanovski was capable of again to his ft after being handled by medical employees. He was capable of embrace Makhachev within the centre of the Octagon after a few minutes.
Volkanovski appeared completely devastated after the defeat.
“Clearly it’s laborious. I don’t like shedding,” he stated.
“That hurts me. He’s an awesome champion. What are you gonna do?
“I again myself each single time and I nonetheless stand by that.”
He went on to inform UFC boss Dana White that he will probably be able to battle once more quickly.
“Maintain me busy,” he stated with a smile.
“I don’t like not combating. I’m doing my head in after I’m not combating. I’m completely satisfied to return in January.”
He despatched a message to his family and friends again house to guarantee them he feels “tremendous”.
He confirmed he now plans to return to featherweight to defend his belt. It has been reported his subsequent defence will probably be in opposition to Ilia Topuria within the yet-to-be introduced UFC 297 important occasion card scheduled for January 20 in Toronto.
Volkanovski was much more emotional when talking after the battle.
He revealed private information that he has been grappling with non-public psychological well being battles and wanted to take the battle for these causes.
It’s a unhappy finish to Volkanovski’s marketing campaign to develop into a double champ in two weight divisions.
The Aussie will lose no respect from the outcome after taking the battle on simply 11 days discover.
After Charles Oliveira was pressured out of the battle after struggling a gash in coaching simply 12 days out from the battle, Volkanovski jumped at his second probability to develop into a champ-champ.
Volkanovski, who was on vacation when he acquired the decision to step in in opposition to Makhachev, misplaced a exceptional 12kg in 11 days to make weight for the Abu Dhabi conflict.
6.30am — Savage flying knee KO
Ikram Aliskerov flattened Warlley Alves with a scorching flying knee TKO within the first spherical.
Alves was attempting to get again to his ft on the cage and was anticipating one other flurry of strikes earlier than Aliskerov did a intelligent change as much as throw within the surprising flying knee.
It landed completely and Alves was out chilly.
Earlier, Mentioned Nurmagomedov wanted simply 73 seconds to choke out Muin Gafurov.
5.30am — ‘That is loopy’: Breeden wins barking like canine
Mike Breeden has simply develop into an MMA cult hero.
The American fighter was seen barking at his opponent Anshui Jubli as he got here again from a primary spherical bashing to drag off an enormous knock out win.
Breeden was an enormous underdog for the battle and determined to come back out blasting within the third spherical understanding he needed to knock his opponent out to keep away from shedding.
He did simply that with a flurry of punches that rocked his Indian opponent to the ground.
“He’ll be considering, ‘What within the hell’,” UFC legend Daniel Cormier stated about Breeden woofing like a canine whereas commentating the battle for ESPN.
“That is loopy.”
Breeden stated his weird technique was a giant turning level.
“The minute I began speaking to him and pointing at him, and pointing my finger down [at the mat], that’s the s*** I dwell for,” Breeden stated after the battle.
Volkanovski places ‘jealous’ McGregor in his place
Alexander Volkanovski has hit again at UFC legend Conor McGregor because the pair’s bitter feud has reignited on the eve of his historic second battle with Islam Makhachev.
Volkanovski stated he would gladly settle his social media feud with McGregor within the octagon after the Irishman continued his relentless social media assaults.
If Volkanovski beats Makhachev, will probably be laborious to disclaim the Aussie something he needs, and a possible superfight with McGregor might be excessive on the record — even doubtlessly at UFC 300.
McGregor’s latest insults are that Volkanovski “couldn’t maintain my spit bucket, and that the Aussie is “somewhat sausage” who’s “readable, hittable, hurtable”.
He additionally stated Volkanovski shouldn’t be ranked No. 1 pound for pound, a place he holds with heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Talking with Fox Sports activities earlier within the week, Volkanovski stated the sledges have been “a praise” due to the hype surrounding the Aussie in the intervening time.
“He sees all the pieces that’s occurring with me, the way in which everyone seems to be carrying on about me, and he hates that,” Volkanovski stated.
“Hates it as a result of anyone else is getting all the eye.
“He’s jealous. Not jealous of me, as a result of the bloke is in a f**king good place. However he’s jealous in regards to the consideration I’m getting.
“That I’m larger on the featherweight GOAT record, that I’m the pound for pound king. Was Conor McGregor ever high of that record?
“I’m undecided as a result of Jon Jones was at all times there, proper? So I’m doing issues he hasn’t achieved.”
Volkanovski additionally laughed of McGregor calling himself the “featherweight GOAT”, however did say he’d be completely satisfied to share the octagon with the Irishman.
“Does he deserve it? Look, I’d like to say that I’m so huge now that it will simply be a possibility for him,” Volkanovski stated.
“However let’s be actual, after we are speaking paycheques, after we are speaking cash … we each get quite a bit out of it.
“And I’m completely satisfied for him to share that with me. I believe the battle undoubtedly will occur as a result of he retains mentioning my identify, retains saying I’m a battle he needs.
“He additionally is aware of I’m a man who fights anybody, anyplace, any weight — actually, any weight. So no matter weight he needs … let’s go.”
Over to you Dana White, let’s e-book it in!
Learn how to watch UFC 294
Australian battle followers can catch all of the motion from UFC 294 dwell on Major Occasion and Kayo Sports activities.
The prelims can be found to look at on ESPN through Kayo, earlier than the motion for the primary card switches over to Major Occasion. To observe Volkanovski’s battle, you’ll have to buy the pay-per-view at a price of $59.95.
What time does UFC 294 begin in Australia?
With UFC 294 being held in Abu Dhabi, Aussie MMA followers might want to tune in a lot earlier on Sunday morning as an alternative of the standard afternoon time slot.
The prelims kick off at 1am (AEDT), whereas the primary card will start at 5am (AEDT).
Struggle timing isn’t an actual science, however Volkanovski and Makhachev are anticipated to enter the Octagon round 7am.
Full card
Major Card (from 5am AEDT)
Islam Makhachev (c) v Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC light-weight title
Khamzat Chimaev d Kamaru Usman — through majority determination (29-27 x 2, 28-28).
Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker — no contest
Ikram Aliskerov d Warlley Alves — through TKO, Spherical 1
Mentioned Nurmagomedov d Muin Gafurov — through TKO submission (Spherical 1)
Preliminary card outcomes
Muhammad Mokaev d Tim Elliott — TKO through submission (Spherical 3)
Trevor Peek d Mohammad Yahya — through unanimous determination (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Javid Basharat v Victor Henry — no contest (groin shot)
Sedriques Dumas d Abu Azaitar — through unanimous determination (29-28 x3)
Mike Breeden d Anshul Jubli — through KO, Spherical 3
Muhammad Naimov d Nathaniel Wooden — through unanimous determination (29-28 x3)
Viktoriia Dudakova d Jinh Yu Frey — through unanimous determination (29-28 x3)
Shara Magomedov d Bruno Silva — through unanimous determination (30-27 x3)
Initially revealed as UFC 294 Makhachev Vs Volkanovski dwell: Distressed Aussie knocked out
