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In the electrifying main event of UFC 294, Islam Makhachev left the MMA world in awe as he scored a sensational first-round knockout over Alexander Volkanovski. This victory decisively settled any remaining debate from their initial encounter and showcased Makhachev's extraordinary skill set.
From the opening bell, Makhachev displayed his striking prowess with an onslaught of devastating kicks, targeting Volkanovski's legs and body. After a missed takedown attempt, he quickly regrouped and unleashed a head kick that seemed to appear out of thin air. It collided with Volkanovski's cranium, sending the UFC featherweight champion crashing to the canvas in a heap.
Makhachev followed Volkanovski to the ground and delivered a few more punches before referee Marc Goddard wisely halted the contest. The official stoppage occurred a mere 3 minutes and 6 seconds into the first round.
In the post-fight interview, Makhachev humbly credited his team for the stunning performance, saying,
"Honestly, I have a great team. They push me very hard in training. That’s why this happened today. I showed him a couple of low kicks and body kicks and then changed to a high kick. This is what we've been planning for the last couple of months for [Charles] Oliveira and nothing changed, the same for Volkanovski."
Makhachev also showed tremendous respect for his defeated opponent, saying,
"I want to say thank you to this guy, he’s a real champion. He never gives up. He’s a real champion, thank you, Alex, again."
Makhachev's swift dismantling of Volkanovski was a stark contrast to their previous five-round battle in February. The new strategy involved opening up with kicks to the legs and body, which set up the fatal head kick.
Makhachev initially displayed his wrestling skills, but Volkanovski's defense held strong. However, a relentless series of kicks and feints caused Volkanovski to become defensive, leading to the fight's climax.
After launching the head kick that found its target, the end was near. Volkanovski was sent sprawling backward, leading to a rapid stoppage. Although Volkanovski sported brutal cuts over his eyes following the fight, he was graceful in defeat, acknowledging Makhachev's incredible performance.
"Great set up, good kick," Volkanovski admitted. "I don’t like losing, it hurts me, but he’s a great champion. Credit to Islam, great kick. Please keep me busy; I don’t do well when I’m sitting at home."
With this stunning victory, Makhachev solidifies his position as the best lightweight fighter in the world. The future looks bright for him, with potential matchups against Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje on the horizon. As Makhachev exclaimed,
"I never choose; Dana, you have some job, give me someone."
MMA fans can't wait to see who's next in line to face the unstoppable Makhachev.
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