Makhachev retains lightweight belt with 1st-round KO of Volkanovski at UFC 294

Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev watched featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski enter the octagon inside Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi to the 1981 hit "Land Down Under" by Australian band Men At Work.

Moments later, it was Makhachev who went to work at UFC 294.

Makhachev (26-1-0) used a devastating kick with his left leg to the Australian's right temple, then quickly pounced and used nine hammering blows with his left hand before referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight at the 3:06 mark of the first round Saturday.

"I have a great team. We always did this in the locker room, in the training — pushed me very hard," Makhachev said. "I showed him a couple of low kicks, couple of body kicks and then changed to head kick. I want to say thank you to this guy [Volkanovski]. He's a real champion."

The beginning of the end