Volkanovski at UFC 284 could be the beginning of his rivalry with Makhachev

Alexander Volkanovski failed to rise from "great" to "greatest" at UFC 284, losing a unanimous decision to Islam Makhachev in an epic bout that sent the RAC Arena crowd into a seemingly endless frenzy.

However, while the Aussie failed to win the lightweight belt he so desperately desired, there was a sense in his post-fight press conference that his showdown with Makhachev had only just begun.

“You could see that I could win this fight,” Volkanovski said. “I definitely want this fight back…I want that fucking lightweight belt.”