UFC 284
| Company type | Mixed martial arts event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports entertainment |
| Founded | February 12, 2023 |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski was a mixed martial arts competition organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on February 12, 2023, at the RAC Arena located in Perth, Australia.
Background
This event represented the UFC's 16th occasion hosting a fight in Australia, marking their return since the last appearance at UFC 243 in Melbourne back in October 2019.
The main event featured a title clash for the UFC Lightweight Championship between reigning champion Islam Makhachev and the reigning featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski. This encounter was notable as the eighth UFC event where champions from distinct weight classes competed for a single championship. Should Volkanovski secure victory, he would become the fourth male fighter to simultaneously hold two divisional titles and the eighth overall to capture championships across different weight categories. Additionally, this bout was historic as it was the first time that the UFC’s top two pound-for-pound athletes contested a title against one another.
An interim UFC Featherweight Championship match between Yair Rodríguez and Josh Emmett was also part of the card.
A middleweight matchup initially scheduled between former champion Robert Whittaker and ex-contender Paulo Costa was canceled following Costa’s refusal to sign the contract.
A planned interim flyweight title fight featuring previous challengers Alex Perez and Kai Kara-France was called off due to Kara-France sustaining an injury; subsequently, Perez was rescheduled to face former Rizin Bantamweight Champion Manel Kape.
A women's strawweight contest between Loma Lookboonmee and Elise Reed was shifted from a different event to take place at UFC 284.
In lightweight action, promotional debutant Francisco Prado stepped in for Nasrat Haqparast against Jamie Mullarkey, while Elves Brenner replaced Joel Álvarez to face Zubaira Tukhugov. Tukhugov failed to make weight, registering 157.5 pounds; the bout proceeded at catchweight with a penalty imposed.
A heavyweight fight featuring newcomer Junior Tafa versus Austen Lane was canceled after Lane withdrew and Tafa later pulled out due to injury.
The light heavyweight bout initially set as Tyson Pedro against Zhang Mingyang saw Zhang replaced by Modestas Bukauskas.
At the weigh-ins, Kleydson Rodrigues came in one pound over the limit; his fight continued at catchweight with an associated fine.
During the live broadcast, Jens Pulver, the inaugural UFC Lightweight Champion, was announced as the upcoming inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame "pioneer wing."
Results
{{MMAevent bout |Featherweight |Blake Bilder |def. |Shane Young |Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) |}
Bonus awards
Monetary bonuses of $50,000 were granted to:
- Fight of the Night: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski
- Performance of the Night: Yair Rodríguez and Jack Della Maddalena