UFC 284: Islam Makhachev becomes new World No 1, downs reigning champ Alexander Volkanovski
Perth: For Islam Makhachev, professional lightweight mixed martial artiste from Russia, it was a double victory over Alexander Volkanovski of Australia here, when he won the final of the UFC on Sunday.
A win over the defending UFC champion earned Makhachev the UFC 284 title. Simultaneously, the 31-year-old martial artiste was crowned the World No 1 replacing Volkanovski, following the Sunday victory.
The final in Perth was a close battle between the two, with Volkanovski showing a lot of confidence in his hands while using good footwork to set up his combinations and keep Makhachev on the outside. He kept stunning his opponent on many occasions on the feet. Makhachev, however, retaliated efficiently, adding a few knockdowns of his own and using his suffocating ground game.
When the fight ended, the judges awarded scores of 49-46, 48-47, 48-47. For Volkanovski, this is also the first loss of his UFC career.
It was a tough fight for Makhachev, but the 31-year-old progeny of Abdulmanap and Khabib Nurmagomedov proved that he was indeed the best lightweight fighter. This being his 12 consecutive win, he also called out to the other lightweight fighters to upgrade and give him a better fight.
“I show why I’m No. 1. They have to improve more. You like or you don’t like but I am the best fighter in the world right now,” said the new World No 1, adding a word of gratitude to his opponent, “Thank you Alex. It was a very good fight. I need some tough fights. I have to improve. I think he’s going to be easy on the ground but this guy improved a lot. I need tough fights.”
Runner-up Volkanovski displayed a sportsman spirit, in spite of not getting the result he had hoped for. “Obviously a lot of people are going to be happy with that because they never gave me a chance,” the fighter said. “I knew I prepared properly, it was a fun fight. Congrats to Islam.”
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Nearly 4,000 pilgrims set sail for Katchatheevu islet to participate in annual two-day festival
Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Nearly 4,000 Indian pilgrims on Friday set sail for the uninhabited Katchatheevu islet to participate in the annual two-day festival, which will officially commence at 4 pm at the St Antony’s Church, officials said.
The festival marks a significant moment of shared cultural and religious heritage between India and Sri Lanka.
The first batch of devotees was flagged off from the Rameswaram fishing harbour at approximately 6 am by Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon.
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According to official records, a total of 3,996 registered pilgrims -- comprising 3,033 men, 726 women, and 150 children -- are crossing the Palk Strait in a fleet of 118 boats, which includes 92 mechanised trawlers and 26 country boats.
The festival will officially commence with a traditional flag-hoisting ceremony. This will be followed by the 'Way of the Cross' procession and a late-night chariot festival, where the statue of the patron saint will be carried around the shrine by Sri Lankan Navy personnel, sources said.
Strict security measures are in place, with the Indian Coast Guard and Customs department conducting a three-tier verification process at the Rameswaram jetty. All pilgrims were required to produce their Aadhaar cards and a mandatory Police No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Authorities have strictly prohibited the carriage of plastic items, alcohol, and excessive jewellery.
According to official sources, all vessels are equipped with adequate life jackets and are being escorted by Coast Guard hovercrafts up to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
The festivities will reach their peak on Saturday morning with a Special High Mass conducted by the Bishops of Jaffna and Colombo in both Tamil and Sinhala. The event will conclude with the lowering of the flag, after which the Indian pilgrims will begin their return journey.
To facilitate the event, the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department has enforced a total fishing ban in the region until March 1, leaving over 1,000 local boats moored at the docks to ensure clear passage for the pilgrim fleet.
The islet was ceded to Sri Lanka by India by ways of two agreements in 1970s.
