Alexander Volkanovski may not be the lightweight champion, but he is still the best fighter on the planet according to the official UFC pound-for-pound rankings.
Alexander Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) remains the UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighter despite his #UFC284 loss to lightweight champ Islam Makhachev.
In the latest official update, Volkanovski maintains his top spot, while Makhachev remains No. 2.
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— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) February 14, 2023
The featherweight King attempted to make history on Sunday in Perth at UFC 284 but was ultimately defeated by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in a razor-close decision.
The fight was the first time in UFC history that the number 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world would take on the number 2 best fighter pound-for-pound, with the winner expected to take out the top spot.
Despite Makhachev getting the nod from the judges, many fans were left baffled by the result. UFC colour commentator Joe Rogan was left visibly shocked live on his podcast saying “Volkanvoski is the f*cking double champ, 100%.”
The panel of ‘experts’ who determine the UFC pound-for-pound list must have felt the same, with Volkanovski remaining number 1 on the list despite losing to Makhachev.