Getting Ready For Epic UFC 284 Main Event

There will be a welcome sight in Australia in February, as the UFC makes its long-awaited return to the country after a nearly four-year absence. Fans Down Under will be treated to a huge spectacle, as UFC 284 will put together Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski in a historic main event.

The event will be staged at RAC Arena in Perth, with the action taking place on Saturday, February 12, 2023. It will be a huge night of action, and one fitting to celebrate the return of UFC to Australia.

Eighth Historic Clash Between Title Holders

The biggest selling point of the fight between Makhachev and Volkanovski is the fact that it will see two champions from different weight classifications clashing. It is the eighth time in UFC history that this has happened, with the most recent coming at UFC 277 where Amanda Nunes defeated Julianna Pena by unanimous decision.

Volkanovski Searching For History

It promises to be a historic evening in Perth regardless of the outcome, but Volkanovski will be bidding to make UFC history and become the fourth male fighter to be champion in two different weight classifications simultaneously. If successful, he will also be the fifth fighter overall to achieve the feat. Meanwhile, he will also be looking to become the eighth fighter in history to win a world title in two different divisions.

The reigning UFC Featherweight champion has an impressive professional record, as he has won 25 of his 26 previous fights. His only defeat was suffered way back in May 2013, as he lost by TKO against Corey Nelson. Since then, he has been able to build up an incredible record and has beaten some of the biggest names in the UFC. That includes a success over Jose Aldo at UFC 237 by unanimous decision in 2019.

Volkanovski captured the Featherweight gold in December 2019, as he scored a unanimous decision win over Max Holloway. In his first defense, he retained the title against the same rival, before defeating Brian Ortega at UFC 266. Volkanovski then scored a stunning fourth-round TKO win over Jung Chan-Sung at UFC 273 in April 2022, before later recording a third career victory over Holloway at UFC 276 to retain his title for the fourth consecutive fight.

Makhachev Reigns Lightweight Division

It promises to be a thrilling fight in prospect, as Islam Makhachev has been the dominant force in the lightweight division since arriving in the UFC. Like Volkanovski, the Russian has lost just once professionally, with that defeat coming in his second UFC bout against Adriano Martins by TKO in the opening round. However, since then, Makhachev has been extremely impressive, as he has been able to build up a win sequence of eleven.

 The Russian finally got his hands on the top prize in October 2022, as he submitted Charles Oliveira in the second round at UFC 280. That stunning display saw him pick up the Performance of the Night award. He has been a submission specialist throughout his career to this point, scoring eleven of his 23 victories by this method. Four wins have come by knockout, including a first-round stoppage against Bobby Green at the beginning of 2022. 

However, Makhachev will come into this fight with little support, as Volkanovski will be the popular pick in Perth. It will be a homecoming for the Australian, and few inside the RAC Arena will be left on their seats when he is heading to the octagon to do battle against Makhachev.

Other Announced Bouts

The main event may be the bout that has many MMA fans excited, but there is a thrilling night in prospect before the clash between Makhachev and Volkanovski. Immediately before the main event, there will be an interim Featherweight Champion clash between Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett. Another bout already announced will see former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker taking on Paulo Costa.

Jack Della Maddalena and Randy Brown will also clash on the main card. Elsewhere in the main card, Justin Tafa will clash with Parker Porter, while Jimmy Crute and Alonzo Menifield will collide in the light heavyweight division.

An Exciting Night Ahead

The UFC’s return to Australia will be a landmark occasion for fans in the country, and there will be a stunning evening of fights to look ahead to. The main event is the one that leaps off the page, and a passionate hometown crowd will be hoping to celebrate a brand new multi-weight champion in the form of Volkanovski.