Alexander Volkanovski's wrestling coach explains different scenarios of how Charles Oliveira's BJJ and Islam Makhachev's grappling can go at UFC 280 - "It's a game of inches"

Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira will headline next weekend's UFC 280 pay-per-view card. The bout will take place in Abu Dhabi and is one of the most anticipated matchups of the year.

'Do Bronx' has been on an unbelievable streak, finishing Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje in his last three outings. Makhachev has also asserted a similar level of dominance in his recent fights, as he finished Bobby Green, Dan Hooker and Thiago Moises in his last three bouts.

The strength of the Dagestani's Sambo-style wrestling vs. Oliveira's superb Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills is what makes this such a fascinating matchup for many. However, should something happen to either fighter in the build-up to the title bout, Alexander Volkanovski will be the replacement fighter.

Given this, Volkanovski's wrestling coach, Frank Hickman, was interviewed by Submission Radio and was asked to breakdown the grappling elements of the UFC 280 main event. He compared the styles of the two fighters and said:

"This is one of those debates, like people always say, 'Wrestling or jiu-jitsu, who wins?' When you're both so high level, it's a game of inches. Even though this sport is a game of inches anyway. Especially this level, when you have a high level grappler/jiu-jitsu like Charles [Oliveira] and you have somebody who's a high level grappler/wrestler like Islam [Makhachev]."

Watch the video below from 13:28:

Islam Makhachev has been touted as the second coming of Khabib Nurmagomedov. But the question on many peoples' minds is whether or not Charles Oliveira's jiu-jitsu is good enough to deal with the grappling-heavy style of the Dagestani.

Islam Makhachev responds to Alexander Volkanovski on Twitter

Islam Makhachev, as well as his teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov, have been playing mind games with Charles Oliveira for a few weeks. 'The Eagle' instigated the taunts when he tweeted that he didn't feel 'do Bronx' would show up to Abu Dhabi for UFC 280 and that Beneil Dariush would replace him.

Makhachev then followed that up last week by tweeting:

"2 weeks before the fight, Charles and his team not in Abu Dhabi yet., should I start worry ?"

2 weeks before the fight, Charles and his team not in Abu Dhabi yet., should I start worry ? 🤔🤔🤔 https://t.co/pyOBMo9D4O

The emergency replacement fighter for UFC 280's main event is UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who replied to the Dagestani by saying he would be at Abu Dhabi.

"Don’t worry brother, I’ll be there"

Don’t worry brother, I’ll be there 😉 #ufc280 @MAKHACHEVMMA twitter.com/MAKHACHEVMMA/s…

Islam Makhachev replied with:

"Good to know"

Good to know 🤝😉 twitter.com/alexvolkanovsk…

The UFC lightweight title fight will headline arguably the most stacked card of 2022, with Aljamain Sterling vs. T.J. Dillashaw for the bantamweight strap filling the co-main event slot. Prior to that, the flamboyant Sean O'Malley will take on Petr Yan in a must-see striking affair.