Makhachev gets a big call after a great finish, McGregor blows the win, Prochazek’s rival talks KO of the year. How does the world react to his performance?

UFC 294 promised to be a great show, but the way the main card ended so quickly left a certain aftertaste. Fans didn’t even get to enjoy the fights properly. Islam Makhachev, who unexpectedly won in the first round, had a part in that. What are the reactions?

What a rush. While the prelims card of the UFC 294 gala was a good stretch, offering only two stoppages before the limit and one stoppage by a doctor for a low kick, the main card, with the exception of one fight, ended entirely in the first round.

Islam Makhachev was a big part of that. He was originally scheduled to face Charles Oliveira in the rematch, but he did not enter the bout. Instead of the Brazilian, Alexander Volkanovski, the featherweight champion, stepped in against the lightweight champion.

It was a big chance for Volkanovski and he had nothing to lose. He took the fight a few days before, he wasn’t in training camp. If he had won, he would have become a two-time champion. The favorite, however, was Makhachev.

The Dagestani was confident from the beginning of the match, you could tell he was more prepared after all. He also delivered a great finish when he hit the Australian with a head kick and then landed a few more shots on the ground. With less than two minutes left in the first round, it was all over.

Makhachev showed a lot of quality and he was certainly relieved. Volkanovski had got him in big trouble in their first fight, he was his toughest opponent so far. But what’s next? One particular challenge had already landed and the public had something to react to.

Would Makhachev accept the challenge? McGregor’s win will throw off his

After the fight, Islam Makhachev was asked a crucial question. Who’s next? Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje? The Dagestani replied that he didn’t care. He said he’ll take whoever the UFC assigns him as an opponent.

However, Oliveira is now out for an unknown period of time and ready is Gaethje, who has also clearly asked for the fight. “I’m next,” expressed one of the most attractive fighters in the organization on Twitter.

Gaethje, however, isn’t the only one who would like to fight Makhachev. Michael Chandler has also asked for a chance with a clear argument: ‘ Never fought anyone who sees red. He hasn’t been in a dogfight, which is his kryptonite.”

Also commenting on the fight was former rival of Jiri Prochazka Aleksandar Rakic, who believes Makhachev deserves a nomination for the best knockout of the year award. “Sensational ending! Best fighter in the world across all weights,” he tweeted.

“This sport is insane,” responded Volkanovsky’s longtime rival Max Holloway, who, if it weren’t for Alexander, would probably have ruled the featherweight division for a long time.

And it wouldn’t be Conor McGregor himself who came up with a rather prickly response. That partly puts the Dagestani star’s victory down. After all, according to the Irishman, Volkanovski has always been susceptible to headkicks from southpaws.

Overall, though, the reactions are rather enthusiastic. Makhachev earns a little more respect with a nice knockout. Well deserved.

Source: UFC, Twitter