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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Karnataka Truckers' strike against fuel price hike, toll-related issues begins
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka based trucks that transport goods within and outside the state came to a screeching halt as a key lorry operators association launched its idefinite strike against fuel price hike and toll related issues, starting midnight between Monday and Tuesday.
Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association (FOKSLOAA) launched this strike condemning fuel price hike and alleged harassment they face at toll plazas. The association is an umbrella organisation of 129 truckers associations with six lakh members — drivers, agents and truck owners.
The trucks keep off the road as strike began.
The truckers' strike may affect the economic activities in the state severely, resulting in the increase in the prices of essential commodities.
Harish Sabharwal, president, All India Motor Transport Congress told PTI that the initial response shows that stir is successful. According to him, neither the trucks from any part of India would enter Karnataka, nor trucks from the state will go out.
Somasundaram Balan, Honorary General Secretary of FOKSLOAA, alleged that the state government has not yet responded to its requests to address its grievances, which compelled the truckers to go on strike.
The association gave a call for an indefinite strike demanding to solve critical and long-standing issues faced by the road transport sector in the state.
Steep hike in Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel resulted in an increase in price by five rupees per litre over the last nine months, severely escalating operating costs for transporters, a letter sent by the association to its members read.
Persistent extortion and harassment at state toll plazas cause undue stress and financial burden, the association alleged.
Further, the non-abolition of border checkposts, which continue to function redundantly despite GST implementation and the proposed increase in fitness renewal fees for older vehicles, which would heavily impact small and medium operators, are also among the reasons cited.
The federation alleged that its stir is also against the unreasonable no-entry restrictions in Bengaluru, which hampers operational efficiency and timely delivery of goods, and the widespread harassment by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) and microfinance institutions, including unlawful vehicle seizures and mental harassment of vehicle owners.
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