Returning to Australia for the first time since setting a new UFC attendance record at UFC 243 in Melbourne, the UFC made a triumphant return with the highly anticipated UFC 284 pay-per-view at RAC Arena in Perth.

The atmosphere was electric as the crowd roared excitedly, fueling the fighters to deliver dynamic performances that exceeded all expectations.  It also featured some of the best UFC predictions.

In this article, we will review the fights in UFC 284.

Makachev Triumphs Again

In an impressive display of skill and determination, Islam Makhachev put his money where his mouth was by traveling to Perth, Australia, to defend his lightweight title against the pound-for-pound king and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Makhachev proved himself a formidable opponent, dominating the stand-up exchanges throughout the first three rounds. 

Despite Volkanovski’s valiant efforts to fend off Makhachev’s takedown attempts and counter with his own strikes, the Russian champ ultimately emerged victorious, successfully defending his title for the first time.

The fourth round proved a pivotal moment for Makhachev as he executed a well-timed level change, allowing him to climb onto Volkanovski’s back and secure his position for the remainder of the round. 

In the final frame, Volkanovski gave it his all, rallying to take the fight to Makhachev and landing a solid left hand that momentarily hurt the lightweight champion. Ultimately, the bout ended with Volkanovski in the top position, much to the delight of the enthusiastic Perth crowd.

Although Makhachev emerged as the victor with a unanimous decision, Volkanovski showcased his impressive skills and unwavering determination, proving that he is a force to be reckoned with. 

Yair Takes It Home

After nine years in the UFC and countless predictions of championship success, Yair Rodriguez has finally reached the pinnacle of his career, earning the title of interim UFC featherweight champion. In arguably his most impressive performance to date, “El Pantera” dominated Josh Emmett with punishing body kicks and a barrage of clean, varied strikes in the opening round.

Although Emmett managed to drop Rodriguez with a power shot towards the end of the first, the Mexican fighter quickly regained his composure. It delivered devastating blows in the second round. Rodriguez landed a flying knee that sent Vaseline flying off Emmett’s head and used the momentum to set up a triangle choke, ultimately forcing Emmett to tap out.

Rodrigues Is Lethal!

Kleydson Rodrigues performed incredibly on Saturday night, dominating Shannon Ross and finishing the fight in just 59 seconds. The Brazilian fighter landed a spinning back kick early in the bout, then swarmed Ross with a flurry of attacks that left him no way to escape. Rodrigues unleashed a barrage of punches until the referee intervened and stopped the fight.

This impressive victory marked Rodrigues’ first win in the UFC and the eighth win in 10 appearances for the 27-year-old fighter. With his quick and powerful striking, Rodrigues could be a significant contender in the 125-pound weight class in the future. His performance on the night was the third-fastest stoppage of the year, and it’s clear that he has the potential to become a real problem for his opponents.

Lookboonmee Delivers Yet Again

Loma Lookboonmee continues to impress and evolve as a fighter, as demonstrated in her second-round submission win over Elise Reed. The Thai fighter initially dominated the striking game with heavy kicks, which battered Reed’s lead leg and caused a bloody nose. 

Lookboonmee then surprised her opponent by executing a toss takedown, but Reed managed to reverse and took control from Lookboonmee’s back for the rest of the round.

Early in the second round, Lookboonmee executed a takedown and quickly took Reed’s back, easily securing the submission.

This was an outstanding performance from the 27-year-old fighter, who came into the UFC with limited MMA experience. With a record of 5-2 in her first seven UFC fights, Lookboonmee has earned back-to-back wins and is a rising star in the strawweight division.

The heat is on!

One thing is sure: UFC 284 was an absolute cracker. Many fighters left the arena feeling like the world was theirs. Others suffered defeats that left them regretting decisions they should have made. 

As usual, UFC delivered a night of amazing fights and booming talents.