Max Holloway and Chad Mendes wouldn't co-sign that statement - Chael Sonnen explains why he doesn't believe Islam Makhachev will make quick work of finishing Alexander Volkanovski
Freshly crowned UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is targeting 145-pound titleholder Alexander Volkanovski for his first title defense. Both combatants shook hands in the center of the octagon and seemingly made verbal agreements.
The general consensus amongst the MMA masses suggests that Makhachev has the upper hand in this particular matchup and the opening odds reflect the same.
#UFC284
The No. 1 pound for pound fighter in the world Alexander Volkanovski opens up as the underdog against Islam Makhachev:
Islam Makhachev -400 (1/4)
Alexander Volkanovski +300 (3/1)
(odds via @betonline_ag) 🏆 #UFC284 https://t.co/622dwD7ERY
Opposed to community sentiment, former UFC middleweight title contender Chael Sonnen believes without hesitation that Volkanovski is a tougher challenge for the Dagestani than Charles Oliveira.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Sonnen provided an explanation for his belief that Islam Makhachev will not make quick work of finishing the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter. According to 'The American Gangster', previous opponents of Volkanovski can vouch for that:
"As much as that fight [Makhachev vs. Volkanovski] needs to happen, which by the way guys is a much harder fight than you think. I have seen the odds that are favoring Islam, I have seen all of those things, but I've never met somebody who's going to tell me how Islam does it."
Sonnen continued about how Max Holloway and Chad Mendes would disagree on the pretext that Islam would walk over 'The Great':
"How's he [Islam Makhachev] going to do it? Is he going to outstrike Volkanovski? Nobody has even been close. He's going to throw Volk down and keep him there? Chad Mendes wouldn't co-sign that statement. I mean, just as an example, he's going to hold him down, Max Holloway wouldn't co-sign that statement."
Watch the full video below:
Volkanovski was last seen inside the octagon in his third fight against former featherweight champion Max Holloway at UFC 276. The Australian laid rest to any doubts that loomed over his controversial split decision victory over the Hawaiin at UFC 251.
Alexander Volkanovski was more prepared for Islam Makhachev than Charles Oliveira for the main event of UFC 280
Alexander Volkanovski served as the stand-in should the fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira fall apart. To the delight of fight fans, the world got to witness a hotly contested matchup between the two elite competitors to determine the UFC lightweight champion.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's apprentice Islam Makhachev blew the roof off the Ethiad Arena in Abu Dhabi when he submitted 'do Bronx' to lay hands on the 155-pound strap. The Dagestani grabbed the opportunity to call out Alexander Volkanovski for the first defense of his title with the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter position at stake.
Interestingly, Volkanovski claimed in a recent episode of FULL SEND PODCAST that he spent more time preparing for Makhachev than he did for Oliveira:
"You could say there was a little more planning for Islam just so you can be prepared... There's a chance that he could get hold of me and bring me down. So I'm obviously going to try and stop that or be able to get up or be good enough to keep scrambling and don't let him get the finish."
Watch the video from the 50:00 minute-mark below: