All it took was one head kick to dash Australian Alexander Volkanovski’s dreams of double-champ status, with Islam Makhachev extending his reign on top of the lightweight division.

The undefeated Russian superstar closed the chapter on the rivalry with Volkanovski – at least for the time being – claiming a first-round TKO win in the pair’s highly-anticipated rematch at UFC 294.

Makhachev made his intentions clear early, landing a few inside leg kicks before a head kick seemed to get home – although Volkanovski was able to block at least part of it.

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Makhachev then shot for the takedown but the Australian was able to defend it before changing positions to push the champion against octagon side.

Volkanovski seemed to be handling Makhachev’s pressure well early but it was the Russian who was landing the more significant shots of the pair, first with a strong right hook before a stunning head kick floored the Australian.

The champion sensed the moment and followed up with a brutal exchange of punches that brought an early end to the fight.

“Holy smokes,” Paul Felder said in commentary.

“That’s it. That’s the end of it [the rivalry].”

“What a way to truly put a stamp on what was considered the toughest fight of his career,” Daniel Cormier added.

“Unbelievable by Islam.”

Speaking after the fight, a classy Volkanovski was full of praise for the champion and already reiterated his desire to get back in the octagon as soon as possible.

“A great set up. A great kick. It’s hard, I don’t like losing. It hurts me,” Volkanovski said.

“He’s a great champion. I back myself every single time and I still stand by that, always back yourself. Islam is one man who you don’t want to back yourself [against] if you don’t prepare properly because look what he can do to you, he’s that good. Credit to him.

“I just want to say to the UFC, please keep me busy. I don’t do well when I’m not fighting. I needed to take this fight because it’s doing my head in when I’m not fighting. So please keep me busy. I’m happy to go back in January and obviously go back down to featherweight. My job here is done for now. Credit to Islam, great kick.”

Volkanovski, who took the fight on 11 days’ notice after Charles Oliveira was forced to pull out, will now turn his attention towards defending his featherweight belt against Ilia Topuria.

CHIMAEV’S INJURY REVEAL AS HE POSITIONS HIMSELF FOR TITLE SHOT

Undefeated middleweight rising star Khamzat Chimaev has put himself in a position for a shot at Sean Strickland and the title after a majority decision victory (29-27 x2, 28-28) over Kamaru Usman.

Chimaev, who had eight first-round finishes to his name heading into Sunday’s fight, had to be far more patient and mature in his approach against Usman.

It was also reported later that Chimaev revealed he believes he broke his right hand in the first round.

Chimaev challenged Usman’s wrestling skills early, successfully shooting for the takedown and then raining down with big shots as he took control of the American’s back.

The undefeated Russian had Usman pinned up near the cage and went on to dominate the opening three minutes of the opening rounds, controlling his right wrist to not let his rival build his base and regain control.

Usman was eventually able to stand up but it was only the start of his problems, with Chimaev still wrapped around his back and locking in the body triangle.

The American was able to then slam Chimaev onto the canvas but it proved a brief moment of relief as the Russian quickly regained control of the back and ascendancy to fire in a few more shots.

Usman was able to survive and get to the bell but after such a dominant opening round from Chimaev the American was clearly in need of something to turn the fight back in his favour.

“You’ve got to control his hips… don’t let him come under that easy,” Usman’s corner told him after the first round.

A clever Usman faked a takedown attempt early to at least put the thought in Chimaev’s head in an otherwise relatively uneventful opening to the second round.

It was a mature start from Usman, who could have been panicked into taking risks after being dominated in that first round but instead

The pace of the fight certainly slowed down in the second, which worked in the favour of Usman until Chimaev picked his moment to successfully get another takedown.

That only came in the final minute of the round though, with Usman comfortably lasting until the bell sounded once more.

The pace really started to pick up once more in the third round as Usman started to open up, taking the fight to Chimaev as both fighters traded blows in an intense striking exchange.

Chimaev though was able to once more get the fight back on his terms as he got his third takedown of the fight.

“What a tremendous show of maturity from Chimaev,” Daniel Cormier said in commentary.

Usman was able to finally get back on his feet and really let loose in the final few seconds, knowing he needed a finish to likely get the result given Chimaev’s dominance on the ground.

In the end though it was not enough for the former welterweight champion, who took the fight on short notice and did well to even last the distance against the undefeated Chimaev.

CHAOS AS WALKER-ANKALAEV FIGHT DEEMED NO CONTEST

UFC President Dana White was forced to enter the octagon as a light heavyweight contest between Johnny Walker and Magomed Ankalaev ended in a no contest.

It promised to be an entertaining contest given the winner would likely be catapulted into a light heavyweight title bout, but that was not what transpired.

Walker and Ankalaev exchanged some strong striking early on before the latter got Walker on the ground.

But the Russian was a little too over-zealous and delivered a knee to Walker’s head while the Brazilian had a knee on the ground, which meant it was an illegal strike.