Islam Makhachev's coach squashes claims of him not taking Alexander Volkanovski seriously
Islam Makhachev will look to defend his lightweight title for the first time when he faces featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 this weekend.
American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez recently shared that rumors that the lightweight champion is not taking his opponent seriously have no merit.
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Speaking to Submission Radio, Mendez stated:
"[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 added:
"Islam is looking at pound for pound the number one guy. You think Khabib is taking Alex not serious? Khabib knows this is one of the most dangerous fights. For me, I'm not so sure it is. It might very well be, but we are taking them very serious. Khabib's definitely taking Alex very serious, and he told me straight up, 'Coach, this is a very tough fight.'"
While Alexander Volkanovski has not fought at 155 pounds since his UFC debut in 2016, he is undefeated in four career fights at lightweight. His only career loss came at 170 pounds all the way back in 2013. Islam Makhachev, however, will represent the toughest challenge of his career. The lightweight champion suffered his only career loss back in 2015.
Watch Javier Mendez's comments below (starting at the 11:45 mark):
Islam Makhachev wants to knock out Alexander Volkanovski and break the wrestler stereotype
Islam Makhachev has developed a reputation as a wrestler. However, the lightweight champion wants to show that he is much more than that at UFC 284. Speaking to Carlos Contreras Legaspi of ESPN MMA, the No.2-ranked pound-for-pound fighter shared his desire to defeat Alexander Volkanovski via knockout:
"Honestly, I want to knock [Alexander Volkanovski] out because everybody says [that] Islam is a grappler or wrestler, but I want to show people my striking. He is a short guy, and I really believe I can knock him out."
Makhachev will attempt to become the UFC's No.1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter. Meanwhile, Volkanovski is looking to become just the fifth double champ in UFC history.
Watch Islam Makhachev's comments on knocking out Alexander Volkanovski below: