Alexander Volkanovski reveals how much he will weigh against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284

Alexander Volkanovski is looking to become just the fifth fighter to achieve double champ status in UFC history when he faces Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. The featherweight champion recently revealed his planned fighting weight for his first lightweight bout since his UFC debut all the way back in 2016.

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@MakhachevMMA takes on @AlexVolkanovski in the #UFC284 main event!

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Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, the No.1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter shared that while he always trains with bigger fighters, his training programs are different. He added that he felt the weight difference as he added a few kilograms of muscle in camp before stating:

"Definitely felt that while trying to do the sparring rounds and all the really hard sessions that we do, but now that we're getting that weight to where we want it, my fitness and everything is just peaking at the perfect time so I'm very, very happy where we are. Everything still feels the same. I'm moving like a featherweight, but I'm as strong as a welterweight."

When asked about his current weight compared to his weight 10 days before a featherweight title fight, Volkanovski shared:

"About 77 kilograms so about just over 170 [pounds]. Probably about 73 [kilograms before a featherweight title fight] so what would that be? 73, 74 max, so probably 160 [pounds]."

Volkanovski's weight cut will be about 15 pounds, which is the same amount that he was cutting at featherweight. He is undefeated in four fights as a lightweight, with his only career loss coming at featherweight back in 2013. However, he is yet to face a lightweight as talented as Islam Makhachev.

Watch Alexander Volkanovski discuss his weight leading up to his lightweight title opportunity at UFC 284 below (starting at the 2:34:55 mark):

Alexander Volkanovski discusses Khabib Nurmagomedov's absence from Islam Makhachev's corner

Khabib Nurmagomedov will be noticeably absent from Islam Makhachev's corner at UFC 284. Alexander Volkanovski shared his thoughts on the UFC Hall of Famer's absence during his recent appearance on The MMA Hour, stating:

"I'm sure he'll feel it in preparation or maybe fight week and all that, but at the same time, he's done it before, and he's a great fighter. He's going to turn up and show up in the octagon anyway, even if Khabib was there or not. I'm preparing for the same Islam that I've seen, and if things go how I plan on them going, don't start changing narratives and start using all these excuses because it's the guy in front of him that's the problem."

It remains to be seen what impact, if any, Khabib's absence will have on the outcome of UFC 284. The former lightweight champion recently retired from coaching to focus on his family.

Watch Alexander Volkanovski discuss Khabib Nurmagomedov's absence from Islam Makhachev's corner at UFC 284 below: