Islam Makhachev believes he has much more riding on fight against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284
Islam Makhachev will look to defend his title for the first time against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284. The lightweight champion questioned what his opponent had to lose, while proclaiming himself as the best mixed martial artist.
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@MakhachevMMA takes on @AlexVolkanovski in the #UFC284 main event!
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Speaking at the media day for UFC 284, the No.2-ranked pound-for-pound fighter stated:
"If I beat Volkanovski, I am going to be pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. This is my dream. That's why I called [out] Alex... I believe he is the best fighter in the world right now, in the rankings, of course, but I know I'm the best fighter, best MMA fighter because I have all skills. Striking, wrestling, grappling, I am the best MMA fighter I believe."
Islam Makhachev added:
"For him, it's a good fight. What's he going to lose? Belt? Nothing. He just comes to the fight, make money, but after that fight he can step [back into] his division and be the champion. He's not losing much on this fight."
Makhachev will have an opportunity to become the UFC's No.1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter with a victory at UFC 284. While the lightweight champion may not believe his opponent has anything to lose, Volkanovski certainly has plenty to gain as he looks to become the fifth double champ in promotional history.
Watch Islam Makhachev's comments on Alexander Volkanovski below (starting at the 1:05 mark):
Alexander Volkanovski doesn't believe that Islam Makhachev will look to knock him out at UFC 284
Islam Makhachev has claimed that he will look to break the wrestler stereotype that has followed him by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284.
On the media day for the event, the featherweight champion shared that he isn't buying that his opponent will take that risk, stating:
"We all know what they're good at and what they want to do. They're calculated in that sense. Obviously, you're seeing some people say that he can strike, it's underrated, but then you're seeing a lot of people that say it's not good, but I mean it is calculated... He's a very calculated fighter. He doesn't take unnecessary risks. Him coming there looking for a knock out, that's an unnecessary risk. He won't be doing that."
Despite Makhachev's repeated claims that he will look to finish his opponent on his feet, Volkanovski seemingly believes that it is a strategy to throw him off of his game plan. It remains to be seen if the lightweight champion will attempt to take the fight to the ground right away or if he will seek a knockout.
Watch Alexander Volkanovski's full comments below (starting at the 3:05 mark):