UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev was a keen observer as two-time opponent Alexander Volkanovski returned to winning ways.
Many had already deemed Volkanovski's days as a champ and top competitor on MMA's biggest stage to have been over following consecutive knockout losses to Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.
But in the main event of Saturday's UFC 314 pay-per-view in Miami, "Alexander the Great" proved his detractors wrong with a vintage display to get the better of Diego Lopes and capture the vacant 145-pound gold.
Volkanovski has been getting plenty of plaudits in the aftermath of his first win since mid-2023, and among the most prominent to lay praise on the Australian was the lightweight king.
"Congrats @alexvolkanovski great comeback! Real champ in sport and life," Makhachev wrote on X.
Prior to knocking the newly crowned two-time featherweight champ out in their short-notice rematch, Makhachev narrowly emerged victorious from a memorable five-round battle with the Aussie veteran in Perth.
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