WATCH: Alexander Volkanovski delivered a strong and emotional message to team immediately after loss to Islam Makhachev

Alexander Volkanovski put forth a strong and emotional message to his team backstage after his loss against Islam Makhachev. UFC featherweight champion and pound-for-pound kingpin Volkanovski moved up in weight to face UFC lightweight champion Makhachev at UFC 284 on February 12.

With Volkanovski's pound-for-pound throne and Makhachev's lightweight belt at stake, it was Makhachev who emerged victorious via unanimous decision. However, many in the MMA community argued that 'The Great' was more deserving of the judges' nod.

The fight was so closely contested that Alexander Volkanovski retained his No. 1 UFC pound-for-pound ranking despite losing to the No. 2-ranked Islam Makhachev. Following his defeat against Makhachev, Volkanovski regrouped with his teammates and acquaintances backstage.

𝙈𝙈𝘼 𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩...

𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙢 𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙝𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙫 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭 𝙑𝙤𝙡𝙠𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙨𝙠𝙞🫡👏

#UFC284 https://t.co/WJzrBe7As1

In a video posted to the FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel run by his teammate and friend, former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, Alexander Volkanovski suggested that many people believed he'd get dominated by Islam Makhachev.

On that note, 'The Great' seemingly sensed that a lot of people were probably impressed that he pushed Makhachev to the limit. Regardless, Volkanovski indicated that he expected to not only hold his own against the Dagestani fighter but to defeat him and win the lightweight belt. Be that as it may, the Australian MMA stalwart insinuated that he won't let the loss discourage him. Volkanovski stated:

"Obviously, a lot of people are, 'Oh, you should be proud of yourself.' And obviously, I'm never going to be too hard on myself. But a lot of people counting me out, didn't think I ever stood a chance; so, they're happy with that performance. But we know we can get it. So, that's not gonna be hard on myself because, obviously, [I was] still expecting to win."

Watch Volkanovski's message at 13:25 in the video below:

Islam Makhachev on a potential rematch against Alexander Volkanovski

It's believed that the UFC will likely have featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski face interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez in a title unification matchup next.

Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev could defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier or the winner of the upcoming Rafael Fiziev-Justin Gaethje fight. Volkanovski, for his part, has been lobbying for an immediate rematch against Makhachev for the lightweight championship.

𝑨𝑵𝒀 𝑻𝑰𝑴𝑬. 𝑨𝑵𝒀 𝑷𝑳𝑨𝑪𝑬. 𝑨𝑵𝒀𝑾𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑬.

@alexvolkanovski wants to run it back... and we aren't complaining! 🔥🏆

Who wants to see Makhachev 🆚 Volkanovski 2⃣? 👀
#UFC284 https://t.co/3Lt01yN8EF

Islam Makhachev too hasn't ruled out the possibility of an immediate rematch against 'The Great.'

In a recent interview translated and posted to Red Corner MMA's YouTube channel, Russia's Makhachev revealed that he'll return only after Ramadan i.e., likely after April. Moreover, addressing his next opponent, Makhachev said:

"I'm not going to wait for anybody or call anybody out. I'll be ready as soon as the UFC gives me an opponent. No matter if it's the rematch or another lightweight contender." [2:32 - 2:41]

Watch Makhachev's interview below: