The No. 1 and No. 2 pound-for-pound matchup was everything UFC fans hoped it would be -- and then some. Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski went five rounds trading punches and words, takedowns and emotion.
In the end it was Makhachev who emerged victorious, winning a close yet unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46). The lightweight champion proudly proclaimed after the bout that he's the best fighter in the world, but he appreciated the competition that Volkanovski brought to the fight.
The loss was Volkanovski's first in the UFC. The Australian prevented much of the ground damage that is a staple of Makhachev's offense and was able to knock Makhachev down with solid striking. But it just wasn't enough.
"He didn't respect my wrestling, grappling," Volkanovski said. "Maybe I didn't respect his striking enough, either. He landed some shots. Fair play to both of us."
Before the epic matchup between Makhachev and Volkanovski, Yair Rodriguez proved once again why he is one of the most talented and entertaining fighters on the roster. Rodriguez stopped the always durable Josh Emmett by submitting him off his back with a triangle choke.
Rodriguez now waits to see when he'll step into the Octagon with Volkanovski, who was adamant he wants to stay active in 2023.
Here's how Sam Bruce, Brett Okamoto, Marc Raimondi and Jeff Wagenheim recapped the action as it happened:
