Islam Makhachev reveals UFC 284 gameplan for Alexander Volkanovski, shows interest in direction cautioned against by Javier Mendez
Islam Makhachev will look to defend his lightweight title for the first time when he faces featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284. The lightweight champion recently revealed his plans for the highly anticipated bout.
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@MakhachevMMA takes on @AlexVolkanovski in the #UFC284 main event!
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Speaking to Brett Okamoto of ESPN MMA, the UFC's No.2-ranked pound-for-pound fighter stated:
"I cannot underestimate him because he's small. He is the best fighter right now. He's number one right now, but I really believe all my skills like striking and grappling, wrestling - that's why I told you I want to knock him out because I know I can do this... This is my dream. I'm going to look for that."
Islam Makhachev pointed out that he correctly predicted that he would submit Charles Oliveira while speaking with the media leading up to UFC 280 before adding:
"Javier says choose the easy way always but we will see... I have to listen to coaches, but we will see when it starts, when the fight is beginning, but I'm not going to be looking for a knockout the whole fight. If I have a chance to finish him on the ground, why not, but my dream, I want to do this."
Makhachev will look to hand Volkanovski his first loss since 2013, when he was competing as a welterweight. The featherweight champion has been undefeated in four career fights as a lightweight, however, he has not competed in the division since his UFC debut back in 2016.
Watch Islam Makhachev discuss his plans for UFC 284 below (starting at the 1:57 mark):
Javier Mendez denies claims that Islam Makhachev is not taking Alexander Volkanovski seriously
Leading up to Islam Makhachev's first title defense, against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 this weekend, rumors surfaced that the lightweight champion is not taking his opponent seriously. American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez denied those claims while speaking with Submission Radio, stating:
"[Makhachev's] taking him seriously because in order for him to be in that position where he can feel [Volkanovski] is not at his level is to elevate his training, which is what he's done. When's the last time Alex got this excited and talked this much about this and that, when? Because he's elevated his training also, and he has to, because, why? Because he's got a bigger challenge in front of him than he's ever had before."
Mendez noted that UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev's close friend and longtime training partner, believes Volkanovski is a dangerous opponent. Khabib will be noticeably absent from the lightweight champion's corner.
Watch Javier Mendez's comments below (starting at the 11:45 mark):