- Alexander Volkanovski remains the UFC’s pound-for-pound king in the updated official UFC rankings despite losing to Islam Makhachev
- Makhachev’s coach is confident the UFC will consider a rematch
After making history by beating Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284, Islam Makhachev did not move up in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. For some unspecified reasons, Volk, despite losing to the No. 2 P4P fighter Makhachev, is still No. 1.
MEN’S POUND-FOR-POUND TOP RANK
- Alexander Volkanovski
- Islam Makhachev
- Leon Edwards
- Kamaru Usman
- Israel Adesanya
- Alex Pereira
- Aljamain Sterling
- Charles Oliveira
- Brandon Moreno
- Jon Jones +1
- Jiri Prochazka -1
- Dustin Poirier
- Jamahal Hill
- Robert Whittaker
- Max Holloway NR
The weight class could be the reason
At the time this article was published, the UFC hasn’t commented on the matter yet. However, some report suggests that the fact that Volk managed to give the heavier and bigger Makhachev an evidently tough fight may have affected the UFC’s metrics in determining whether the Dagestani fighter would dethrone “The Great” or not.
Indeed, many believed that the judges made a terrible decision as the winner should’ve been Volkanovski. On the other hand, it’s still quite baffling that Makhachev’s win, regardless of what people say, did not see him becoming the new pound-for-pound king.
Islam thinks he’s the best
Without a doubt, the UFC’s decision not to make him the new No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world will surely not sit well with Makhachev. Especially, because prior to the release of the updated official UFC rankings, Makhachev already declared himself as “the best fighter in the world” simply because he already edged the No. 1 P4P fighter.
Nevertheless, UFC 284 is a historic fight as it was the first time the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the promotion took on each other in a massive title fight.
Makhachev was handed a unanimous decision victory after five rounds of action. However, many were impressed by how Volk managed to match his bigger opponent and even mauled him on the ground in the final moments of the fight.
Volkanovski already expressed his desire to run it back and swore he will be a better fighter in the rematch. The UFC has yet to consider it but Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez is already confident the promotion would be highly interested in seeing a rematch between the two best fighters in the company.
As it stands, Makhachev will wait for his next lightweight title challenger, while “The Great” is more likely facing interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez for a unification bout.
