‘Looking at my face’: Crucial detail in Volk KO as legend reacts to Aussie’s ‘lost opportunity’

As quickly as the blockbuster fight came together, it was over.

Islam Makhachev’s brutal first-round KO win over Alexander Volkanovski has left the MMA world stunned in the main event of UFC 294, with a UFC legend questioning if the Aussie has now missed his opportunity to become a double champion despite his brave attitude.

The headline fight lasted mere minutes – and was significantly quicker than the pair’s original bout – after lightweight champion Makhachev landed a monster left kick to Volkanovski’s head to seal the win.

UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 | SUN 22nd OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

“Look what he can do to you” – Volk | 01:46

Volkanovski afterwards sat on the ground in disbelief, with blood streaming from the 35-year old’s eyebrow as the reality of the rapid result was sinking in.

“We were reminded tonight that Islam is the best in the world,” UFC great Daniel Cormier began on Main Event.

“But when you think about Alex Volkanovski, what a savage to step up in this position. To me, I was looking at my face as he was getting finished and while I’m happy for Makhachev of course, you feel like Volkanovski lost his opportunity to become a double champ at some point.

“Because now it was so definitive that he may not get his chance again. But, this dude is already spinning it forward. In less than three months he’s like: ‘Let me get Ilia Topuria’.

“But that is the champion that ‘Volk’ is and we don’t think that he can win based on anything false. All he’s shown us is absolute greatness and I don’t think him losing tonight diminishes anything. He’s still the featherweight champion.”

‘DOING MY HEAD IN’: Volk’s message to UFC says it all about Aussie legend

First-round head kick collapses Volk! | 01:47

Of course, featherweight champ Volkanovski only had 11 days to prepare for what was the biggest fight of his life, filling in for Charles Oliveira after the Brazilian was removed due to injury.

With that in mind, the Aussie ultimately hadn’t lost any admirers against arguably the greatest ever lightweight to step in the ring.

“The guy took it on 11 days’ notice and we sat here all this week and not lying, truthfully thought he had a chance of going out there and winning,” UFC commentator Paul Felder told Main Event.

“That’s what we think of Alexander Volkanovski and how big of a talent he is, how much of a champion he is. But ultimately, we’re dreamers a lot in this sport. We love the underdog. We love the Rocky story… sometimes reality checks you.

“It’s like, no – this guy has been preparing for a full training camplife after. He’s obviously the best lightweight in the world right now and he did what he did.”

Elsewhere, the immediate reaction from the UFC world on social media was sheer shock given Volkanovski, though the outsider, was expected to put up more of a fight, while giving due plaudits to Makhachev.

Check out the responses below from X.

“What a performance, to hurt him like that with a head kick,” Felder added.

“The guy we talk about with the Sambo background, the wrestling background, jujitsu, submissions.

“To go out there and land a head kick against a guy most would argue your best chances are obviously to take him to the ground.

“But a head kick? Unbelievable man, way to cement yourself. Keep doing this, he’s got to be known as the greatest lightweight ever.”