Islam Makhachev vows to break 'wrestler' stereotype by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284

Islam Makhachev will attempt to defend his title for the first time at UFC 284 when he faces featherweight champion Alexander Volkvanoski. The lightweight champion shared his plans to break the wrestler label that has followed him throughout his career as he knocks out his opponent.

The LW belt & P4P status are 𝙊𝙁𝙁𝙄𝘾𝙄𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙔 on the line 👑

@MakhachevMMA takes on @AlexVolkanovski in the #UFC284 main event!

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Speaking to Carlos Contreras Legaspi of ESPN MMA, Makhachev stated:

"Honestly, I want to knock [Alexander Volkanovski] out becayse everybody says [that] Islam 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."

While Makhachev is widely regarded as a wrestler, largely due to his connection with UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, his striking abilities have become underrated. Volkanovski's only career loss came via knockout. However, that was when he was competing at featherweight nearly a decade ago.

Although the lightweight champion would like to break the label that he can't strike, this is likely not the fight that he will attempt to do so as his opponent is an elite striker. It is far more likely that Makhachev is simply looking to play tricks on the featherweight champion and throw him off of his gameplan leading up to the fight.

Watch Islam Makhachev's comments on knocking out Alexander Volkanovski below:

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Alexander Volkanovski discusses Khabib Nurmagomedov's absence from Islam Makhachev's corner

Islam Makhachev's corner will look different when he steps into the octagon at UFC 284 as UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov will be noticeably absent following a shocking retirement from mixed martial arts. Alexander Volkanovski made it clear that he does not want to hear that as an excuse should he emerge victorious.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour, the featherweight champion was asked if he was surprised by Khabib's absence, responding:

"I'm sure he'll feel it in preparation or maybe fight week and all that, but at the same time, he's done it before, and he's a great fighter. He's going to turn up and show up in the octagon anyway, even if Khabib was there or not. I'm preparing for the same Islam that I've seen, and if things go how I plan on them going, don't start changing narratives and start using all these excuses because it's the guy in front of him that's the problem."

Volkanovski will look to become just the fifth double champ in promotional history at UFC 284. It remains to be seen what impact, if any, Khabib's absence will have on Makhachev.

Watch Alexander Volkanovski discuss Khabib Nurmagomedov's absence from Islam Makhachev's corner at UFC 284 below: