You remember where you were when the horn sounded at the end of the fifth? I do. It was one of those rare moments in combat sports where the air just feels different. We’d just watched 25 minutes of high-level chess played at 100 miles per hour, and honestly, nobody knew who was actually getting their hand raised. When people look for UFC Reloaded UFC 284: Makhachev v Volkanovski on their TV guides or streaming apps today, they aren't just looking for a replay of a fight. They are looking for the definitive answer to a question that arguably never got a satisfying one.
Islam Makhachev went into Perth, Australia, to take on Alexander Volkanovski. It was the pound-for-pound number one versus the pound-for-pound number two. That almost never happens. Usually, weight classes and timing keep the absolute best away from each other, but for one night in February 2023, the stars aligned.
The Night the Pound-for-Pound Rankings Broke
Most experts thought Volkanovski was too small. Basically, the narrative was that Islam would just "Khabib" him. You know the drill: takedown, smash, submission, go home. But "The Great" didn't read the script.
What made UFC Reloaded UFC 284: Makhachev v Volkanovski so special was the way it defied every single expectation we had about both guys. We thought Islam was the grappler and Volk was the striker. Instead, we saw Islam landing crisp counters that wobbled the featherweight champ, while Volkanovski showed off defensive wrestling that left the Dagestani corner looking genuinely concerned for the first time in years.
By the time they hit the fourth round, it wasn't a blowout. It was a war.
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Breaking Down the Scorecards (The Part Everyone Hates)
Let’s talk about those 48-47 and 49-46 scores. If you watch the UFC Reloaded UFC 284: Makhachev v Volkanovski replay, pay close attention to the second and third rounds. That's where the fight was won and lost.
- Round 1: Pretty clearly Islam. He found his range and got the back.
- Round 2: Super close. Islam landed the harder shots, but Volk was right there.
- Round 3: Volkanovski started finding a rhythm. This is the round people scream about.
- Round 4: The "Backpack" round. Islam sat on Volk’s back for nearly four minutes. He didn't do much damage, but under the unified rules, that's control time you can't ignore.
- Round 5: Total Volkanovski dominance. He dropped Islam late and finished the fight on top, raining down punches.
If you’re a casual fan, you see the end of the fight and think "Volk won!" because he was the one doing the smashing at the buzzer. But fights are scored round-by-round. That's why the decision went to Makhachev, much to the chagrin of the 14,000 Aussies in the RAC Arena.
Why the UFC Reloaded Version Hits Different
When you watch the UFC Reloaded UFC 284: Makhachev v Volkanovski broadcast, you get the benefit of hindsight. We now know what happened in the rematch—that brutal head kick in Abu Dhabi. But looking back at this first meeting, you see a version of Volkanovski that was seemingly invincible.
He was fighting up a weight class, giving up height and reach, and he still managed to make the most feared grappler in the world look human. Honestly, if there were a sixth round, Islam might not have made it. He looked spent. His face was marked up, and he was staring at the clock.
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The Technical Details You Probably Missed
There’s a moment in the third round where Volkanovski starts talking to Islam. You can hear it better in the UFC Reloaded audio mix. He’s telling him he’s not that strong. He’s mocking the takedown attempts. It was high-level psychological warfare.
But Islam's striking? That was the real surprise. Everyone forgets that Islam actually out-struck the "better" striker for large portions of the fight. His check right hook was landing at will. He wasn't just a wrestler that night; he was a complete mixed martial artist.
The Aftermath and the "IV Controversy"
You can't talk about this fight without mentioning the drama that followed. Dan Hooker—Volk's teammate—took to Twitter (now X) and accused Islam of using an IV to rehydrate. It sent the MMA world into a tailspin.
The UFC and USADA eventually cleared things up, but it added a layer of salt to an already spicy rivalry. It’s one of the reasons why the UFC Reloaded UFC 284: Makhachev v Volkanovski episode is so highly searched. People want to look at Islam's arms, look at his energy levels, and play armchair detective.
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"He's not strong," Volkanovski famously said during a scramble.
Whether he was right or just trying to get in Islam's head, the physical toll on both men was immense. Islam later admitted that the Australian commission's shorter rehydration window (due to the early morning start for US TV) made the weight cut the hardest of his life.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re going to sit down and watch UFC Reloaded UFC 284: Makhachev v Volkanovski, don't just watch the highlights. Watch the footwork.
- Look at the Lead Foot: Notice how Volk tries to keep his lead foot outside of Islam's. It's the classic southpaw vs. orthodox battle.
- The Fakes: Count how many times Volkanovski fakes a level change just to land a jab.
- The Clinch: Pay attention to how Islam uses the "double collar tie" to control Volk's posture. It's a мастер-класс (masterclass) in Dagestani wrestling adapted for a shorter opponent.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Fan
Watching this fight isn't just about entertainment; it's an education in modern MMA. If you want to understand why Islam Makhachev is the current king, you have to see him handle the adversity he faced in Perth.
- Study the Scoring: Use this fight to learn why "impact" is now valued over "control" in many judges' eyes—and where those two things still conflict.
- Analyze the Rematch Prep: Compare this fight to their second meeting at UFC 294. You’ll see how Islam adjusted his timing to catch Volk's dipping entries with that infamous high kick.
- Appreciate the Greatness: Don't let the "who won" argument ruin the fact that this was likely the highest-level fight in the history of the sport.
Go back and re-watch the UFC Reloaded UFC 284: Makhachev v Volkanovski event. Forget the commentary. Forget the Twitter wars. Just watch two of the greatest athletes to ever step into a cage push each other to the absolute limit. It’s as good as the sport gets.