CLEVELAND, OHIO: Jake Paul, Joe Rogan, and Conor McGregor are among the athletes who have reacted to Islam Makhachev's triumphant championship defense against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 via their social media accounts.
On the night of October 21, Makhachev and Volkanovski faced off in a much-awaited rematch. Charles Oliveira was originally scheduled to face the Dagestani fighter, but the Brazilian was forced to withdraw due to injuries.
Jake Paul and others react to the fight
Islam Makhachev made sure there were no questions raised this time around with Alexander Volkanovski following their rather tight battle earlier in the year. From the beginning of the bout, the UFC lightweight champion appeared to be in charge, while Volkanovski found it difficult to score a big blow.
After Volkanovski was knocked down by a hard head kick from Makhachev towards the conclusion of the first round, the referee stopped the bout because Makhachev continued to assault him with punches.
Conor McGregor, Jake Paul, and others reacted on X (formerly Twitter) following Islam Makhachev's victory by knockout. "He was always susceptible to that vs. a southpaw," McGregor said in a now-deleted tweet.
Meanwhile, Jake Paul also tweeted mentioning "Islam" with a tick mark.
MMA fighter Justin Gaethje, meanwhile, argued that he should be given the opportunity to defend his championship and stated, "I'm next."
"Islam and Justin Gaethje both with the same head-kick KOs. Let's see them fight next!!" mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler Henry Cejudo said.
Joe Rogan thanks Islam Makhachev and says, 'It was amazing'
For the past few decades, the UFC experience has been inextricably linked to the legendary responses of UFC color commentator Joe Rogan.
The former Fear Factor anchor watched the UFC 294 event on Fight Companion, although he was not a part of the UFC broadcast crew.
When Alexander Volkanovki was knocked out by a head kick in the opening round by UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Joe Rogan was taken aback.
He also thanked Makhachev for all the additional features he had introduced to the game, saying, "It was amazing. Shin to the dome, son! Opened up a cut. It was perfect… Wow! Islam, man! He showed a bunch of new sh**... That front kick he was throwing to the body and then he threw the same kick to the head…!"
