Exclusive: AJ McKee expects Alexander Volkanovski to struggle against Islam Makhachev
Bellator star AJ McKee recently weighed in on the upcoming UFC lightweight title clash between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. 'The Great' will go up a weight class to make a double champ bid against Makhachev at UFC 284 in February in Perth, Australia.
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According to McKee, Volkanovski will struggle with distance management against Makhachev due to his height disadvantage. The former Bellator featherweight champion noted that the UFC P4P king is not going to get taller irrespective of the number of extra pounds he has learnt to pack during his rugby career. 'Mercenary' told Giancarlo Aulino in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA:
"I'm not quite sure. He's [Volkanovski] kind of a small guy though. You know what I mean? So I think he's gonna struggle a bit with the range and what not. I mean post rugby career we know we can gain the weight, we know he can become a big boy but he's not gonna get taller. He's not gonna get bigger. You know what I mean? So I think that's gonna be a big factor when stepping in front of these '55ers."
Watch McKee's comments on Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski below (8:37):
AJ McKee will take on reigning RIZIN FF lightweight champion Roberto 'Satoshi' De Souza in Japan at the Bellator MMA vs. Rizin FF event on New Year's Eve.
Michael Chandler believes Alexander Volkanovski's former rugby career will help him against Islam Makhachev
Alexander Volkanovski was a front rower for the Warilla Gorillas in the South Coast Rugby League competition before switching to MMA. While Volkanovski will have a significant size disadvantage against Islam Makhachev, Michael Chandler expects 'The Great' to possess immense strength due to his rugby roots.
The former Bellator lightweight champion and UFC lightweight title challenger even believes that Volkanovski's short height might work to his advantage in scrambles. Predicting 'The Great' to rope in a decision win at UFC 284, 'Iron' recently told MMA Junkie:
"He used to weigh 210-220 pounds, whatever he was when he was playing rugby. Your body remembers that. You carry that strength with you. You carry that power with you...So, anything outside of Islam going out there and taking him down in the first minute of each round and holding him down, I think Volkanovski might actually squeak out a decision. Most likely not a finish but a decision."
Watch Chandler's comments below (15:20):