UFC 294 - The pound for pound king
ISLAM. F’ING. MAKHACHEV.
There can be no question about who the pound for pound number 1 is now. In my preview for this fight I picked Volkanovski to get it done, but looking back on it that was probably more hope than sense. And I like Islam, I really do, I just have Volk very high on the list of my favourite fighters, but there’s no doubt now that Islam has his number. Their fight in February was very close, and Islam seemed very adamant during fight week that he wanted to put a definitive end to this rivalry, and boy did he do that.
First of all, I think Islam looked much bigger in there than Volk did. That extra rehydration time combined with the fact that Volk took the fight on less than two weeks notice is likely the main reason for that, but Volk also looked very much ready for the fight. He was fired up during the walkouts and came in with his usual confidence, and rightly so as he is still one of the best in the world even after this loss. When the fight got going though, I think Islam actually got the better of the striking exchanges early on. He eventually shot for a takedown, and Volk did very well in stuffing it and turning Islam against the cage. Islam then got Volk into the Thai plum where he is just immensely strong, and managed to land a few good knees. When they eventually separated, they had a few more exchanges on the feet before Islam launched a beautiful head kick which landed just above Volk’s guard and sent him to the canvas. And if that didn’t put him completely out, The brutal ground and pound from the champion definitely did the job.
So with his second win over Volkanovski after claiming the belt from Charles Oliveira, that means that Islam Makhachev now has three wins over top 5 pound for pound fighters in the last 12 months, which I think makes him the undeniable number 1. The current number 1 Jon Jones obviously has a way bigger resume over the course of his career, but has only fought and won once in the last three years, and I don’t think that kind of activity can warrant a place at the top of the pound for pound rankings. So if Islam isn’t the number 1 come Tuesday I’ll be slightly disappointed in the people voting on the rankings.
Another man climbing the rankings is Khamzat Chimaev. Beating the former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at middleweight should give him the next shot at Sean Strickland based on Dana White’s own words. Saying that though, I don’t think Usman’s stock should drop at all after this fight. He got dominated on the ground in the first round which all judges scored a 10-8, but came on very strong for the last two rounds, and I thought that secured him a draw. That wasn’t the case though, as two judges scored it 29-27 for Khamzat, while the third judge scored it 28-28. I don’t think it’s bad to score it for Khamzat at all, as it was close, but personally I had it a draw.
Khamzat did say that he broke his hand during the first round, which can explain why he seemed more hesitant during the final two round, but it will also likely delay his title shot. In a weird way I think that’s fine, as Dricus du Plessis should be the next challenger anyway, and I felt that he was done a bit dirty when Dana made this fight a number 1 contender matchup. Du Plessis should fight Strickland next, and then Chimaev can still have his next fight be for the belt, but it’s not 100% certain it will be against Sean Strickland.
As for Usman, it will be interesting to see if he stays at middleweight or if he goes back down to welterweight. He has obviously lost twice to the current champion, but if Covington were to win the belt in December he could have a good case as Usman has two wins over him. Belal Muhammad probably doesn’t want to hear that as he has been overlooked for quite a while now, but I can definitely see the UFC making Covington vs Usman III if Covington beats Edwards at UFC 296, even with Usman on a three fight skid.
Not the best card of the year by any means, but it ended quite spectacularly. In fact, the last few PPV main events have all been quite bonkers one way or another. Islam head kicking Volk, Strickland dominating Adesanya, O’Malley becoming champ after knocking out Sterling and Gaethje head kicking Poirer. It’s all been quite incredible in the second half of the year, and hopefully it will continue with 295 in NYC and 296 in Vegas.