Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski UFC Yas Island Fight Video Stream Replay Part 1
Watch UFC 294 Full Fight Video

As the current featherweight champion and No. 1 contender, UFC lightweight gold will be tested on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. Alexander Volkvanovski, a 2 ranked pound-for-pound fighter, will compete against the current No. 1 opponent in an effort to win the double-champion title. Islam Makhachev, a lightweight champion and pound-for-pound fighter, finished third in the main UFC 294 event.

At UFC 284 in February, in front of a boisterous crowd in Volkanovski's native Australia, the two engaged in fiercely competitive and close combat before Makahachev won.

Makhachev prevailed on the field with a scorecard of 49-46, but Volkanovski received six out of 29 media scores( 20.6%) and nearly 45% of fans.

In the first fight, Volkanovski visually concealed his pricetag( closed+ 280 to+ 300), regardless of the outcome. He still faces a number of obstacles in the rematch, including arm surgery on July 18( which necessitated six weeks of rehabilitation before returning to training), Charles Oliveira's short-notice booking, the confines of his camp, and the support of partisans.

Primarily, Makhachev outperformed almost everyone's expectations when it came to striking and winning extended exchanges. With a standing knockdown against Charles Oliveira, Makhachev showed off his improved technique and unexpected strength, but I didn't anticipate him to match Volkanovski's striking prowess 50/ 50.

Makhachev wobbled Volkanovski twice with a counter left while being competitive on distance strikes( 58– 45), especially to the head( 38– 37).

In the standup, he managed his space and made excellent use of his footwork. Volkanovski was knocked to the ground from the clinch by Makhachev's body kick, which he delivered from a distance. Based on the size of the fight, he made wise shot choices, and his strikes were very effective( 60% landed, 59% career).

Given Volkanovski's defensive prowess( 58% striking defense), that is especially impressive.

I was impressed by Makhachev's superb back-taking skills, which allow him to win entire rounds. Makhachev found Volkanovski's back on his first entry and won the round in his favor by taking the lead and threatening a submission after the fighters wobbled among themselves during the feeling-out process in Round 1.

However, as I also mentioned in the initial preview, I anticipated Volkanovski would read, adjust, and intensify the conflict. Volkanovski had much more success defending positions and standing up once he began to understand Makhachev's strength and preferred grappling techniques.

As the two exited the clinch, Volknaovski reversed Makhachev's attempt to make the same transition that caused the takedown in Round 1. In Round 2, the Australian won the striking exchanges, but Makhachev landed his clean counters just in time to steal the round.

The judges' decision in Round 3 was a toss-up, and Volkanovski's defensive grappling continued to improve. Makhachev, who delivered the harder punches to the feet and gained more than three minutes of back control, won a much clearer Round 4.

After Vokanovski blocked two late takedown attempts, Makhachev eventually slowed down after winning the first few minutes of Round 5. In the final minute, Mahachev's labored breathing, which appeared to begin near the end of Round 2, finally caught up with him.

He attempted a shoddy takedown, was knocked to the ground upon entry, and was then allowed to land and pound Volkankovski to end the match.

Makhachev maintained fierce competition throughout the striking exchanges. Volkanovski, however, never really came close to being subdued in the grappling, and the longer the fight lasted, the better he appeared to be able to withstand Makhachev's wrestling and offensive transitions.

Even more important than the technical aspects of this rematch may be the intangible factors, such as Volkanovski's arm injury, his sparse training facility for the fight, and the absence of home fans who applaud whenever he strikes.

Even though Volkanovski's defensive grappling got better as the fight went on, Makhachev won the first four rounds when I replayed the opening fight without sound, which eliminates bias from the home crowd.

Any close scorecards in Abu Dhabi should tip in Makhachev's favor, in my opinion.