Conor McGregor praises Alexander Volkanovski despite controversial loss at UFC 284 | Daily Mail Online

Conor McGregor has paid tribute to Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski for delivering a thrilling spectacle in Perth on Sunday night.

The Russian denied Volkanovski triumph on home soil by winning the blockbuster main event at UFC 284 by a unanimous decision 28-27, 28-27, 29-26.

And McGregor, a former two-division UFC world champion, was clearly impressed by the display, claiming there were ‘no losers’ from the bout.

‘That was a great fight last night lads! No loser there just winners,’ the Irishman tweeted.

‘The Ozzie and the Ozzie’s showed out and I f****ng loved seeing it! Perth looks f****ng tasty too, now I see why so many Irish are there. I should’ve went out, former titles on the line. Congrats all at @ufc.’

Conor McGregor paid tribute to Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski for delivering a thrilling spectacle in Perth in UFC 284

McGregor also paid tribute to the Perth crowd for getting behind the local hero 

Volkanovski fell painfully short in his attempt at becoming a two-weight champion but insisted he felt he won the fight. 

‘Just watched the fight, I definitely think I won [rounds] 2,3 and 5,’ he tweeted.

‘Surprised I didn’t get my hand raised! Let’s do the rematch, anywhere, anytime!’ 

Podcaster and UFC colour commentator Joe Rogan was visibly shocked by the outcome, claiming ‘Volkanovski was the f*****g double champ, 100 per cent,’ during a live episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.

The loss was the Australian’s first in the UFC after 22 straight wins and vowed to return to fight at lightweight again, after making the step up to take on Makhachev.

Makhachev (left) won the fight by a unanimous decision 28-27, 28-27, 29-26

But Volkanovski said he felt he had done enough to win the fight in front of his home crowd

‘A lot of people will be happy with that because they didn’t give me a chance but I gave myself a chance,’ the Australian said after the fight.

‘I knew he was really good but that I’d prepared properly. It was a fun fight and maybe I could have capitalised on some positions a bit more. 

‘He didn’t respect my wrestling and grappling but maybe I didn’t respect his striking enough either!

‘I’ll be back at lightweight but for now congrats to Yair and now we build up a big featherweight fight.’