Alexander Volkanovski Believes He Won Three Rounds vs. Islam Makhachev

Alexander Volkanovski gave Islam Makhachev all he could handle. It wasn’t quite enough.

Makhachev won a closely-contested unanimous decision over Volkanovski in a champion vs. champion clash at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia, on Saturday night, staking his claim to the sport’s No. 1 pound-for-pound spot in the process. Volkanovski nonetheless raised his stock in defeat, as he held his own against a larger opponent in all aspects of the fight.

In the aftermath of the defeat, Volkanovski acknowledged that there were missed opportunities that could have swung the scorecards in his favor.

“I could’ve done more, so I’m going to be hard on myself. A lot of people probably counted me out, like, ‘Oh, wow.’ But I never counted myself out. I expected to win, so I’m disappointed,” Volkanovski said at the UFC 284 post-fight press conference.

“I know I could’ve done more, could’ve capitalized on things earlier as well. I did think he was going to be stronger, and I could’ve done more earlier. But what do you do? Credit to him, yeah?”

Volkanovski’s tone changed a little later, however, when he took to Twitter to share his thoughts after rewatching the bout.

“Just watched the fight, I definitely think I won [rounds] 2, 3 and 5,” he wrote. Surprised I didn’t get my hand raised! Let’s do the rematch, anywhere, anytime.”

Just watched the fight, I definitely think I won 2,3 and 5. Surprised I didn’t get my hand raised! Let’s do the rematch, anywhere, anytime! 👊

— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) February 12, 2023

Not surprisingly, Makhachev disagreed with that assessment.

“Just watched the tape, and have to be fair, out of 25 minutes Volk got last 1 minute,” he wrote.

Just watched the tape, and have to be fair, out of 25 minutes Volk got last 1 minute!

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 12, 2023

It’s unclear if an immediate rematch will be in the cards. Volkanovski has a featherweight title unification bout looming after Yair Rodriguez claimed the interim belt in the UFC 284 co-main event, and Makhachev has a number of challengers waiting in the wings at 155 pounds.