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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Lokpal seeks additional evidence for inquiry against SEBI chief
New Delhi: The Lokpal, chaired by former Supreme Court Justice AM Khanwilkar, has deferred action on two complaints filed against SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri Buch, stating that the Hindenburg Report alone is insufficient for initiating an inquiry. The Lokpal requested the complainants, including MP Mahua Moitra, to submit additional evidence and verify the authenticity of the report.
The complaints stemmed from allegations in the Hindenburg report that suggested a quid pro quo relationship between the SEBI Chief and offshore funds linked to the Adani Group. However, the Lokpal noted that the report's contents, without further substantiation, do not justify proceeding under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
The Lokpal highlighted the need for foundational facts that demonstrate how the SEBI Chief's actions fall under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and referred to a pending Supreme Court application related to the Hindenburg report. It further directed the complainants to explain their efforts to verify the report's credibility and ordered them to file affidavits outlining specific allegations.
The Lokpal has set the next hearing for October 17.
