Islam Makhachev Head Kick Vanquishes Alexander Volkanovski in UFC 294 Headliner

Islam Makhachev did not need five rounds this time.

The American Kickboxing Academy superstar retained the undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight crown, as he wrecked Alexander Volkanovski with a head kick and follow-up punches in the first round of their UFC 294 headliner on Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. A short-notice substitution for Charles Oliveira, Volkanovski (26-3, 13-2 UFC) met his end 3:06 into Round 1.

Related » UFC 294 Round-by-Round Scoring

Makhachev (25-1, 14-1 UFC)—who had beaten the City Kickboxing rep by unanimous decision eight months ago—probed with kicks to all levels, jockeyed for position in the clinch after his first takedown attempt was denied and drifted out into open space. He then fired the head kick above Volkanovski’s guard. Shin met skull with devastating consequences, as the Aussie stumbled backward in a compromised state. Makhachev offered no reprieve, letting go with punches and hammerfists until referee Marc Goddard had seen enough.

The 31-year-old Makhachev has won 13 fights in a row and now owns a 2-0 advantage in his head-to-head series with Volkanovski.

Unbeaten Chimaev Outduels Usman

Khamzat Chimaev cleared his most significant hurdle to date, as he outgrappled former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman to a majority decision in the three-round co-main event at 185 pounds. Judges Derek Cleary and Vito Paolillo saw it 29-27 for Chimaev, while David Lethaby scored it a 28-28 draw.

Related » UFC 294 Prelims: Mokaev Arm-Triangle Subdues Elliott

Chimaev (13-0, 7-0 UFC) seized the reins with takedowns and an asphyxiating top game. He was at his best in the first round, where he took down Usman, climbed to the back, applied his ground-and-pound and ran through a series of crank and choke attempts. None were successful, but a loud-and-clear message had been sent. The pace slowed to a crawl in the middle stanza, then picked up again in the third. Usman (20-4, 15-3 UFC)—a late replacement for Paulo Costa—strung together punching combinations, got busy with his jab and threw in a few front kicks. However, Chimaev secured another takedown midway through the round and consolidated his efforts with positional control and occasional punches.

Usman, 36, now finds himself on a three-fight losing streak.

Foul Prompts No Contest in Ankalaev-Walker

An inadvertent illegal knee strike from Magomed Ankalaev resulted in a no contest with SBG Ireland’s Johnny Walker in the first round of their light heavyweight showcase. The cageside physician advised referee Daniel Movahedi to call for the stoppage 3:13 into Round 1.

Walker (21-7, 7-4 UFC) slammed home a few inside leg kicks but misfired on a flying knee. Ankalaev (17-1-1, 9-1-1 UFC) scrambled behind the Brazilian, briefly threatened the neck and hammered away with ground-and-pound. He then delivered an errant knee to the face of the still-down Walker that led to the stoppage. Both men were visibly perturbed by the decision.

Aliskerov Buries Replacement Alves

KHK MMA Team rep Ikram Aliskerov cut down “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil” Season 3 winner Warlley Alves with a flying knee and follow-up punches in the first round of their middleweight attraction. A short-notice fill-in for Nassourdine Imavov, Alves (14-7, 8-7 UFC) succumbed to blows 2:07 into Round 1.

Aliskerov (15-1, 2-0 UFC) kept the Brazilian off-balance with front kicks to the body, effective counters and one-twos. He dazed Alves with a stiff jab, pushed him to the fence and uncorked a devastating flying knee that forced the Rizzo RVT into a defensive shell. Aliskerov offered no refuge and fired punches until his counterpart crumpled to a seated position at the base of the cage.

The 30-year-old Aliskerov has rattled off seven consecutive victories, six of them finishes.

Nurmagomedov Guillotine Ensnares Gafurov

Former World Fighting Championship Akhmat titleholder Said Nurmagomedov put away Muin Gafurov with a guillotine choke in the first round of their bantamweight appetizer. Nurmagomedov (18-3, 7-2 UFC) slammed the door 1:13 into Round 1, as he rebounded from his March 11 decision defeat to Jonathan Martinez.

Gafurov (18-6, 0-2 UFC) walked through a head kick, let his hands fly and gave chase with an all-advised burst of offense. Nurmagomedov used the Kaizen MMA product’s misguided movement against him, snaked his arms in place as he crashed forward and cranked on the choke until the job was done.

Nurmagomedov, 31, has won five of his past six bouts.

Continue Reading » UFC 294 Prelims: Sharabutdin Magomedov Shines in Debut