Joe Rogan may have stepped away from his usual post at the commentary panel at this past weekend’s UFC 284: Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski, but he still found time for what’s already being hailed as the fight of the year between two MMA legends-in-the-making. And similar to many of us, the world’s most prolific podcaster had some thoughts about the “controversial” unanimous decision victory that awarded Makhachev his first successful lightweight title defence in addition to the UFC’s #1 pound-for-pound ranking, while ending the Aussie combat sports talent’s epic 22-bout win streak.
During Rogan’s latest episode of Fight Companion wherein he was joined by former UFC fighter turned “comedian” Brendan Schaub, yet another comedian in Bryan Callen, as well as Brazilian jiu-jitsu innovator Eddie Bravo of 10th Planet fame, the general consensus was that Volkanovski had once again defied all expectations and pulled off what would’ve been “the biggest upset of MMA history” to become a two-division champion. With a minute left on the clock, The Great found his way in top position and went to work with ground and pound.
“Oh my God… Oh my God… this is incredible, this is fucking incredible. Volkanovski is a fucking savage,” said Joe Rogan, impressed by what he had just witnessed as everyone had been.
“35 seconds to go. All he has to do is not get submitted and stay on top and he’s the motherfucking double champ. He’s the GOAT, he’s the GOAT now. Look at this. Beating him up. He’s got it. 15 seconds to go… Oh look at this! Big shots! Hammer fists!”
“Yeah he won for sure,” said Eddie Bravo.
RELATED: The Fight Alexander Volkanovski Needs To Take Before An Islam Makhachev Rematch
Rogan added: “Volkanovski is the fucking double champ. 100%. What a fucking fight. What a fucking fight. What a fucking fight. He beat him, he fucking beat him. In Australia.”
“Look at Makhachev. He just realised he lost, 100%.”
Of course, the judges’ scorecards told a completely different story: 48-47 (Ben Cartlidge), 49-46 (Derek Clearly), 48-47 (David Lethaby), all in Islam Makhachev’s favour. When Bruce Buffer announced, “And still”…
“Oh my God… Oh my God… Oh my God… we were convinced,” said a stunned Joe Rogan.
“We might have been biased, we might have to watch it again. Let’s see what the online people think. In my eyes, it was 3-2. Oh my God, this sucks… One of those scorecards were crazy, maybe it’s Tall Poppy Syndrome… It seemed to me he won three rounds.”
RELATED: Joe Rogan Reveals When He’ll Quit The UFC (As Per His Contract)
So what go it across the line for Makhachev in this insanely close fight?
While he was definitely outstruck, the Dagestani phenom and supposed second coming of Khabib Nurmagomedov landed four takedowns to Volkanovski’s zero, which eventually yielded a considerable seven minutes and 37 seconds of control time to Volkanovski’s two minutes and 55 seconds. Still, the justification is contentious given the lack of damage Makhachev inflicted, which has traditionally been the true measure of dominance:
| Fighter | Knockdowns | Significant Strikes | Significant Strike % | Total Strikes | Takedowns | Takedown % | Submission Attempts | Reversals | Control Time |
| Islam Makhachev | 0 | 57/95 | 60% | 95/135 | 4/9 | 44% | 0 | 0 | 7:37 |
| Alexander Volkanovski | 1 | 70/143 | 48% | 164/255 | 0/4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:56 |
Source: UFC Stats
“Just watched the fight, I definitely think I won [Rounds] 2,3, and 5. Surprised I didn’t get my hand raised! Let’s do the rematch, anywhere, anytime!” tweeted Alexander Volkanovski.
“Just watched the tape, and have to be fair, out of 25 minutes, Volk got last 1 minute!” Islam Makhachev responded in time (although it was probably his reviled manager Ali Abdelaziz.
Check out the Joe Rogan Fight Companion episode for UFC 284: Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski above.
RELATED: Win Or Lose, These UFC Fighters Make Us Proud To Be Australian
