Makhachev finishes off Volkanovski in the first round

Islam Makhachev defended his UFC lightweight championship with a knockout of featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the first round of their main event rematch at UFC 294 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Makhachev was originally scheduled for a different rematch, against former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, but Oliveira withdrew 11 days before fight night due to a cut.

Makhachev (25-1) has won 13 straight fights, including a unanimous decision victory over Volkanovski in February. Makhachev won the title from Oliveira last October by submission.

Volkanovski (26-3) bounced back from the first loss to Makhachev with a successful defense of his 145-pound belt against Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez, winning the July fight by third-round TKO.

In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev defeated former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman by majority decision in another close fight following the injury of Paulo Costa, Chimaev’s original rival. With the win, Chimaev would be the next challenger for Sean Strickland’s UFC middleweight title.

See below for all the results and social media reactions to the Abu Dhabi events.