UFC 294: Islam Makhachev ends Alexander Volkanovski clash with first-round KO, Khamzat Chimaev earns Kamaru win

Islam Makhachev put to bed any beliefs he is not the best lightweight in the world with a devastating first-round knockout over Alexander Volkanovski in the main event at UFC 294.

Last time round, eight months ago at UFC 284 in Perth, Makhachev won a points decision which many onlookers did not feel was nearly as unanimous as the judges had it.

On this occasion, featherweight champion Volkanovski, who took the bout on short notice, was on the back foot from kicks and strikes but still the ending was shocking as Makhachev's left kick slipped over the right-hand guard of the Australian and sent him to the canvas.

From there the ending was certain and after a couple of unguarded head shots the bout was stopped.

Justin Gaethje could be a potential next opponent for Makhachev and tweeted "I'm next" shortly after the end of the bout.

In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev set himself up for a fight with middleweight champion Sean Strickland after edging Kamaru Usman in a majority decision.

Former welterweight champion Usman took the bout on two weeks' notice and made it a competitive fight despite having Chimaev on his back for nearly all the first round, coming out for the second and dominating most of it despite a late take-down.

The final round saw both enjoy control with their specialiaties, Usman hurting Chimaev with straight shots early and then hooks in the final 30 seconds, while Chimaev had Usman on the floor for two minutes.

The judges gave the decision to Chimaev 29-27 (twice), with the third a 28-28 draw. He is now sure to face 185lbs champion Sean Strickland in 2024.

Earlier in the night, Ikram Aliskerov produced just as devastating a first-round stoppage as Makhachev, when his flying knee put Warlley Alves down, precipitating a quick end to the middleweight contest.

The disappointment of the night came when No. 2 ranked Russian (18-1-1) Magomed Ankalaev took on Johnny Walker, the seventh-ranked fighter from Brazil (21-7), as the bout was declared a no-contest in the first round.

Ankalaev forced Walker against the cage and landed a knee which, though aimed at the chest, landed to the unguarded head.

Walker was asked where he was and what the round was by the doctor and when he failed to answer the fight was called off to the consternation of both combatants.

The highlight of the undercard saw Britain's Muhammad Mokaev make Tim Elliott tap to push himself up the flyweight rankings.

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