The year 2023 awarded MMA fans with memorable high-profile clashes that forced jaws to hit the floor. From chess matches to bar room brawls, there was something for everyone. However, a February shootout trumped the entire fight calendar.
Alexander Volkanovski has already proved to be an all-time great thanks to his dominant run at featherweight. “The Great,” an appropriate nickname, attempted to elevate his name when he moved up to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 284. It was a clash between MMA's top pound-for-pound fighters.
The match exceeded expectations, thanks to the action inside the octagon and the atmosphere inside the RAC Arena in Australia. Every technique was met with a reaction, from the opening bell to the final bell.
With everyone on the edge of their seat, Makhachev successfully retained the title in a back-and-forth affair, and this fighter has earned the honor of The Sporting News’ 2023 MMA Fight of the Year.
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Makhachev, who recently won the lightweight title, was entering enemy territory, as Volkanovski was home in Perth. The challenger started the fight hot, landing vicious left hands, and Makhachev responded with a few shots of his own. The Russian from Dagestan put Volkanovski down to the floor early. The latter got up but was put back down before fighting out of submission attempts.
Round two was a slugfest, with both landing almost the same amount of significant strikes (59% for Makhachev and 55% for Volkanovski). Volkanovski dropped Makhachev, who got up and put Volkanovski back on the floor. Later in the round, Makhachev stunned the featherweight star, who recovered well. Round three divided fans and the judges. Makhachev took him down again, but Volkanovski used his striking to push the champion back.
Rounds four and five saw a switch in momentum from both sides. Makhachev took control in the fourth, landing a timely takedown and forcing in a triangle while on Volkanovski’s back. He didn’t offer much offense from that posture but managed to limit Volkanovski. However, in the last few seconds of the round, a calm Volkanovski landed shots from the front that connected.
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The crowd gave both fighters a courtesy ovation as round five commenced. Volkanovski got cut early in the round but managed to avoid early takedown attempts. A sharp right rocked Makhachev and put him on the ground. Volkanovski attempted to end the contest, following up with bombarding blows until the round and fight ended.
Makhachev landed 57 of 95 significant strikes (60%), while Volkanovski landed 70 of 143 (48%). Makhachev did enough to earn a unanimous decision win, but it was a close contest, with what appeared to be one round making the difference.
In real-time, it was the perfect display of toughness.
While the rematch at UFC 294 didn't live up to its predecessor due to the last-minute booking of Volkanovski and a vicious first-round knockout, fans will always have this clash of two top-tier fighters.
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 1 beat off stiff competition for Fight of the Year, including Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286, Clay Collard vs. Shane Burgos at PFL 9, and a recent war between Irene Aldana and Karol Rosa at UFC 296.
