UFC 284 is already a record-setting event.
The event, which takes place later tonight, in Perth, Australia at the RAC Arena is already listed as a sellout of 15,000, Sports Illustrated has learned. It has generated a gate of $5.8m AUD, making this the highest-grossing event in Australian arena history.
Headlined by Alexander Volkanovski challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight championship, the 284 card also includes an interim featherweight bout pitting Yair Rodriguez against Josh Emmett. It will be a compelling slate of fights, but with all due respect to the fighters on the card, it is the main event that everyone is awaiting.
If Volkanovski can defeat Makhachev, it will change the future of the lightweight division—and potentially the featherweight division, too. Already the reigning featherweight champ, Volkanovski has announced his intent to defend both belts if he wins at 284, but that will be incredibly hard to do. With the money and excitement all surrounding future bouts at lightweight, it is far more likely that a win would mark the beginning of the end for Volkanovski at featherweight.
If Makhachev wins, his reign of dominance continues. He will be universally considered the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and his legend would climb to new heights.
This fight is a clash of styles with high stakes, and it determines the very best in the world.
