Islam Makhachev's coach opens up on Aussie fans booing throughout UFC 284
Javier Mendez, the coach of Islam Makhachev, has given his thoughts on UFC 284's main event and the Australian crowd at the RAC Arena.
Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski went toe-to-toe in the main event that took place in front of the Australian fighter's home crowd. Fans in the arena and at home were treated to a spectacle as both fighters went to war in a back and forth contest that went the distance.
The lightweight champion once again proved that his striking is up there with the best, whereas 'The Great' stunned fans by being extremely difficult for Makhachev to take down and stay there.
Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski UFC 284 👀🔥 https://t.co/3RYNhqRXDY
Despite having the home crowd in his corner, Volkanovski came up short on the judges' scorecards as Islam Makhachev had his hand raised via unanimous decision.
Following Makhachev's victory, his coach, Javier Mendez, spoke to Submission Radio. The award-winning coach was asked for his thoughts on the Aussie crowd, who backed 'Volk' throughout and booed Makhachev at every opportunity. Mendez said:
"The fans were great, the crowd was great. They booed us but it was okay. That's okay. It's because they're proud of Alex and that's pride. There's nothing wrong with it. It wasn't bad hate...It was all fun, it wasn't hostile situations, it was just fans. I've been in hostile situations, this was never even close to being one of then...They're allowed to have their favorites and it was very respectful."
Catch the interview here [9:00]:
Alexander Volkanovski discusses his mid-fight trask talk with Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski both earned a deserved Fight of the Night bonus when all was said and done in their UFC 284 main-event. The bout is also already being dubbed a Fight of the Year contender.
Whilst both men were able to demonstrate what makes them elite fighters, eagle-eyed fans would have also noticed the pair weren't just exchanging strikes in the octagon. On multiple occasions, Alex Volkanovsi and Islam Makhachev were seen trash-talking each other throughout the fight.
@alexvolkanovski Gangster. https://t.co/xCYjJ1yNka
Speaking to the press following the main-event, 'The Great' revealed exactly what the pair had to say to eachother:
"When you're in positions like that - I'm not being a d**k, I'm not being disrespectful - but it's get in his head. Even when he had me, I'm like going, 'well, you're not that strong'. I'll say stuff like that then he's there, I'm going, 'you're just hanging on'. I'll go, 'you said 15 seconds, you're going to drag me to deep waters'. That type stuff. I remember that stuff as I go. He was hanging on for dear life."