Islam Makhachev accused of using IV drip and cheating after win over Alexander Volkanovski

The man who defeated Aussie Alex Volkanovski has been branded a ‘cheat’ amid accusations he used a forbidden advantage.

Islam Makhachev of Russia battles Alex Volkanovski of Australia in the UFC lightweight championship fight during UFC 284 at RAC Arena on February 12, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has gone in on new champion Islam Makhachev with wild allegations that he cheated in his win over Australian Alexander Volkanovski in Perth on Sunday.

Makhachev defeated Volkanovski by unanimous decision on Sunday night, in a controversial decision branded as a ‘robbery’ by pundits.

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Hooker, a New Zealander currently sidelined from the sport with a hand injury, came out swinging on Twitter on Monday night.

“Dumb c**t thinks he can fly to Australia, hire a nurse to give him an IV and we won’t find out. Cheating dog,” Hooker said.

Dan Hooker has made a huge accusation. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)

Hooker didn’t stop with the one tweet, however, as he laid into the United States Anti-Doping Agency, and challenged his followers to prove his allegations wrong.

“USADA doing f**k all,” he said, referring to the penalties in place for intravenous saline drip use.

News Corp does not suggest that the allegations made by Hooker are substantial or true, only that they have been made.

Using an IV drip to rehydrate was previously commonplace in combat sports, but was banned in the UFC in October 2015 after a decision by the USADA.

USADA officials instituted the ban because IV drips can contribute to unhealthy amounts of weight-cutting, and can also be used to mask the use of some performance enhancing drugs.

UFC fighters face bans of up to two years for the use of IV drips without a medical reason, with Brazilian star Paulo Costa banned in 2019 for six months.

Islam Makhachev (L) defeated Alex Volkanovski (R) by unanimous decision on Sunday night, but not everyone agreed with the call. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Hooker continued into the early hours of Tuesday morning, alleging “he doesn’t cheat, he doesn’t win,” before naming the Russian as the target of his expletive-laden rant.

Responding to a Twitter user who asked who he was referring to, Hooker said “Islam is a cheat.”

Hooker’s initial tweet was retweeted by Collingwood AFL legend Scott Pendlebury, saying “wow, if this is who we think it is,” and tagging podcaster and UFC colour commentator Joe Rogan.

Islam is a cheat. https://t.co/bIdk13C26P

— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) February 13, 2023

Rogan had previously branded the fight a ‘robbery’.

“Volkanovski is the f*****g double champ, 100 per cent,” Rogan shouted on his Spotify live-stream.

UFC legend Nate Diaz tweeted “Islam got his ass whooped,” while ESPN’s Laurie Horesh called the result “laughable.”

Volkanovski even claimed in the post-match interview that Makhachev wanted a rematch, such was the performance of the underdog Australian.

“I’m hearing (Makhachev) was saying - and I could be wrong - but he was going back to his corner saying he wants a rematch because he thinks he lost,” said Volkanovski after the fight.

“That’s funny.

“And I’ll jump on that.

“Rematch.”

Volkanovski tweeted afterwards that he thought he definitely “won 2, 3 and 5.”

“Surprised I didn’t get my hand raised,” Volkanovski said.