Field Level Media
09 Feb 2023, 04:35 GMT+10
It's champion vs. champion in the main event of UFC 284.
Saturday night's event is headlined by the two undisputed best in their weight classes, both of whom have meritorious claims at pound-for-pound No. 1.
The card in Perth, Australia, will be headlined by one of Australia's own in featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who goes up in weight class to challenge lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev of Dagestan.
It promises to be world-class fight, even in an era in which holding UFC gold doesn't necessarily mean you are the world's best in your weight class. To wit, heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou recently opted to become a free agent rather than accept the promotion's contract offer.
Volkanovski (25-1), based out of New South Wales, has a perfect record since entering UFC in 2016, with wins in all 12 of his Octagon matchups. He's used a style based on high-volume striking combined with seemingly limitless cardio, a strategy that brought him to the 145-pound championship, which he's successfully defended four times.
Makhachev (23-1), meanwhile, stumbled in his second UFC bout back in 2015. But he's been red hot since.
With a style that echoes his trainer, the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev uses aggressive grappling to set up ruthless ground strikes as he works toward the finish. He's won 11 straight bouts.
Last time out, he submitted the UFC record holder for submission wins, Charles Oliveira, to claim the 155-pound title.
The evening's co-feature bout is an interim featherweight title bout, featuring Mexico's Yair Rodriguez (15-3, 1NC) vs. Josh Emmett (18-2) of Sacramento, Calif.
Both fighters love to get down and dirty, so anything but a wild scrap would be surprising.
Should Volkanovski win the lightweight title, the winner of the co-main would become the full-time featherweight champ. Should Volkanovski lose to Makhachev, the winner of Rodriguez vs. Emmett would get the next shot at Volkanovski at 145 pounds.
The bout marks the eighth fight between champions from different weight classes in UFC history. The most recent saw women's featherweight champion Amanda Nunes defeat Julianna Pena for the bantamweight belt at UFC 277.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Caribbean Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Caribbean Herald.
More InformationKABUL, Afghanistan: Afghanistan, long associated with war and instability, is quietly trying to rebrand itself as a destination for...
SANTA CLARA, California: Executives at Nvidia have quietly been cashing in on the AI frenzy. According to a report by the Financial...
NEW YORK, New York - Global stock indices closed with divergent performances on Tuesday, as investors weighed corporate earnings, central...
TORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
Vancouver, Canada: A high-stakes legal showdown is brewing in the world of athleisure. Lululemon, the Canadian brand known for its...
LONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...
By Sahil Pandey Buenos Aires [Argentina], July 2 (ANI): Argentina is committed to strengthening its strategic partnership with India,...
St' George [Grenada], July 2 (ANI): Ahead of the second Test against Australia, former West Indies skipper and batter Kraigg Braithwaite,...
New Delhi [India], July 2 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, shared an article written by Union Minister Annapurna...
Moscow [Russia], July 2 (ANI): As anticipation builds for the upcoming BRICS Summit scheduled for 6-7 July, Brazilian academic Lier...
New Delhi [India], July 2 (ANI): Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Wednesday launched an attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over...
Florida [US], July 2 (ANI): Spanish giants Real Madrid and German club Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday became the last two teams to...