Islam Makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 with a stunning head kick. The rematch between the two occurred after Charles Oliveira’s withdrawal from the event. Oliveira suffered a cut to his eye prior to the event while training. When the door to the rematch opened, Volkanovski decided to attempt to become a ‘champ-champ’ again after he had lost to Makhachev at UFC 284. The decision loss was controversial amongst fans at the time. However, Makhachev has silenced all critics with his incredible performance at UFC 294.

Joe Rogan, who is no stranger to devastating kicks, was watching the event as part of the ‘Fight Companion’ segment for the ‘Joe Rogan Experience (JRE).’ And his reaction to the head kick has gone viral on the internet. Rogan also stated in the same episode that Makhachev has added another layer to his MMA skill set. And he thinks the lightweight division isn’t ready for the much-improved Islam Makhachev!

Islam Makhachev is now more dangerous than ever, according to Joe Rogan

Alexander Volkanovski was looking to redeem himself after losing a controversial decision to Makhachev at UFC 284. However, this time around, Makhachev made sure to end the fight decisively. Volkanovski and Makhachev started out the fight cautiously. Things were looking good for Volkanovski as he stuffed a takedown attempt by Makhachev and even initiated a clinch against the fence.

But Makhachev had already been looking for something. His set-ups and patience paid off as he caught Volkanovski with a head kick that floored the Australian. Makhachev then finished the fight with accurate follow-up shots. Joe Rogan, who was watching the event from the JRE studio, was stunned at the events that unfolded.

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On the UFC 294 Fight Companion podcast, Joe Rogan provided extensive praise for Islam Makhachev’s performance. Particularly emphasizing his impressive improvements in his game. Rogan commended Makhachev’s ability to adapt during the fight, pointing out that “they must have trained for Volkanovski again even though he wasn’t fighting Volkanovski.”

He also stated his praise for Makhachev’s improvement in an area that was considered his weakness. He stated, “…remember his striking was his weakest point and now it’s dangerous as anybody in the division.”

Rogan also highlighted Makhachev’s use of the front kick up the middle as a setup for his subsequent head kick. He noted that the head kick appeared to target the body initially, with Makhachev’s knee positioning perfectly for the strike. The precision and timing of the head kick were particularly noteworthy, making it a well-executed technique during the fight.

It remains to be seen what’s next for Islam Makhachev as he’s claimed he would like to challenge for a belt in another weight class. But Makhachev’s ambitions aside, fans were also concerned as Volkanovski made a stunning revelation after his loss.

‘The Great’ shared his honest thoughts after his loss

Alexander Volkanovski’s relentless drive, which propelled him to success as the UFC featherweight champion, came with its own set of drawbacks. This became evident after he suffered a brutal first-round head-kick knockout loss. During the post-fight press conference after UFC 294, Volkanovski shared his raw emotions and thoughts about why he took the short notice fight. He revealed that he needed the fight for not just the money but “more than that”.

In an honest confession, Volkanovski stated, “But I thought I had to do it. I had to take it. I’m telling myself it’s meant to be. I was struggling a bit not fighting, doing my head in.”

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Despite the loss, Volkanovski remains the UFC featherweight champion and already has a potential title defense against Ilia Topuria lined up for January, pending medical clearance. Fans have showcased their concern for Volkanovski online, but the Australian is determined to return to his winning ways inside the Octagon.

Do you think Islam Makhachev can be successful in the welterweight division if he decides to move up? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Watch This Story: Who Will Islam Makhachev Fight Next After Knocking Out Alexander Volkanovski?