UFC 284: Islam Makhachev Faces All The Pressure Saturday

This Saturday from Perth, Australia, Islam Makhachev puts his title on the line against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284.

While both enter as champions, only Makhachev has the pressure of defending, as it will be his lightweight title up for grabs vs. the featherweight champion.

This will mark the eighth time in UFC history that champions in different divisions square off. Plenty of history-making opportunities are on the side of Volkanovski, so what is there for Makhachev?

The 31-year-old Russian is on an incredible run. He captured the vacant lightweight title with a second round submission of Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 last October.

Going into that bout, Oliviera was one of the hottest fighters in the world. Now, Makhachev owns that title.

He has not lost since a 2015 defeat at the hands of Adriano Martins, reeling off 11 consecutive wins. Makhachev bested the likes of Oliveira, Bobby Green, Dan Hooker and Thiago Moises during this run.

All in all, the lightweight is considered one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world. He is 23-1 overall with 15 finishes during his career.

So, while no title or opportunity at being a double-champion is on the table for Makhachev, the title of pound-for-pound great will be.