UFC 284 Stadium RAC Arena: When was it opened and what is its capacity?
UFC 284 will take place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on February 12, 2023. The venue will play host to one of the most awaited fights in recent years.
The UFC lightweight champion and #2 ranked P4P fighter Islam Makhachev will defend his throne against the featherweight champion and #1 ranked P4P fighter Alexander Volkanovski in his own backyard. The event will be held in Perth's major sports arena, which opened in November 2012. RAC Arena has a maximum capacity of 14,000, which will most likely fill up for this weekend's event.
Islam Makhachev via … spinning elbow? 🧐🧐 #UFC284 https://t.co/NDqWUKX3Bg
Australians will get to witness their hometown hero try to become a double champ against Khabib Nurmagomedov's protege Islam Makhachev. This is a defining fight for both fighters.
For Volkanovski, it is yet another fight to cement his already record-breaking UFC run. For Makhachev, this fight will help him get out of Nurmagomedov's shadow and establish himself as a champion.
Damn, Alexander Volkanovski training at high intensity only to be lightly shoulder tapped by Craig Jones and have to fend off a takedown 👀👀👀 #UFC284 coming soon https://t.co/YloRMeggdM
The co-main event at UFC 284 will see featherweights Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett fight to secure a place in the top 5 rankings of the division. The winner of the fight will be one step closer to challenging for the title.
Also on the card is another Australian fighter in Jack Della Maddalena, who takes on Randy Brown in a welterweight matchup.
Islam Makhachev reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov calls him every day ahead of UFC 284
In January this year, Khabib Nurmagomedov made the decision to cut himself out of the UFC completely, at least in a competitive manner. He retired from coaching Islam Makhachev so he can spend more time with his family.
However, Makhachev has revealed that the former lightweight champion calls him every day and asks him about his weight and training ahead of his UFC 284 main event:
"Every day, every morning, first message, 'Hey how's your weight, how you training, what you do, who you spar' and also coach Javier (Mendez), other coaches, they also send him the video from the sparing. He give me all good advice always, every day."
Despite retiring from coaching, Khabib Nurmagomedov is naturally very invested in Islam Makhachev's training ahead of what is probably the biggest fight of his career. However, 'The Eagle' will not be present in Australia during the fight and will be watching from home.
Take a look at the interview:
Khabib Nurmagomedov has been calling Islam Makhachev every day in the lead up to UFC 284 in Perth ☎️
#MMA #UFC https://t.co/GWHuLqHrQK