Makhachev vs Volkanovski II

Who won Makhachev vs Volkanovski II?

Islam Makhachev beat Alexander Volkanovski by knockout in the 1st round during the main event of UFC 294, on Saturday 21st October 2023 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

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 II stats

Islam Makhachev stepped into the octagon with a record of 24 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 26 wins, 2 losses and 0 draws, 13 of those wins coming by knock out and 3 by submission.

This was Islam Makhachev's 17th fight in the UFC, having made his debut for the promotion in 2015.

Islam Makhachev's UFC record stood at 16-1-0, while Alexander Volkanovski's came in at 13-3-0.

The stats suggested Volkanovski had a massive power advantage over Makhachev, boasting a 50% 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 46% submission rate over Volkanovski's 12%.

Islam Makhachev was the younger man by 3 years, at 33 years old.

Makhachev had a height advantage of 4 inches over Volkanovski. Despite this, Volkanovski had a 2-inch reach advantage.

Makhachev was arguably the less experienced fighter, having had 3 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 22 less professional rounds, 60 to Volkanovski's 82.

Makhachev vs Volkanovski II form

Volkanovski had beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 2 of them, going the distance once.

In his last fight before this contest, he had lost to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 on 21st October 2023 by knockout in the 1st round in their UFC Lightweight championship fight at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Previous to that, he had won against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 on 8th July 2023 by knockout in the 3rd round in their UFC Featherweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States.

Going into that contest, he had been beaten by Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 on 11th February 2023 by unanimous decision in their UFC Lightweight championship fight at RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia.

Before that, 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.

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.

Activity check

Makhachev's last 2 fights had come over a period of 5 years, 11 months and 6 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 2 years, 11 months and 18 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 6 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 3 rounds on average.

Volkanovski's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 17 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 4 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 18 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 3.6 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Makhachev vs Volkanovski II?

Islam Makhachev was a 2/5 (-250) favourite going into the contest, while Alexander Volkanovski made his way into the ring at 2/1 (+200) with oddsmakers.