Makhachev (23-1) will make his first lightweight title defense with Volkanovski (25-1, 34) at UFC 284 on Feb. 11 in Perth, Australia. For this fight the featherweight champion, Volkanovski will move into the lightweight category: from 65.8 kg to 70.3 kg. Previously, the 31-year-old Makhachev rival defended the belt four times in the featherweight division.
Makhachev held his last fight on October 22, 2022, defeating Charles Oliveira in the second round by choke. The Russian takes second place in the ranking of the best UFC fighters in all weight categories, Volkanovski is in first place in the same ranking.
Khabib Nurmagomedov supported Makhachev in the title fight with Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, Makhachev won via second-round submission and became the UFC lightweight champion.
– You were photographed with a belt during a view duel with Volkanovski. Is it a double or do you bring your own from Makhachkala?
– The UFC gives a doubles belt. It gets easier. Belt at home – it needs a separate luggage bag, it is heavy.
Who will be in your corner?
– In the corner I will have Javier Mendez, then, who was in the last fight, the head coach of our room in Makhachkala, Magomed Bagandov. Muslim, my brother, who always supports me, and Esed Emiragaev.
– Will you try to keep in touch with Khabib via the messenger during the fight?
– Not during the fight. But we communicate almost every day. Today there were training sessions, Javier sent him a video, he corrected something.
– What can Khabib suggest, provided that your career has lasted 20 years.
– Well, even if you look at past fights, he said that when I shorten the distance, I immediately have to act, you can’t stand there, the opponent beats dangerously with elbows and knees. And the upcoming fight was also settled – Volkanovski has short leverage, if you planned something at close range, you need to do it right away. You don’t have to stand up and receive.
– Interestingly – when you held Oliveira after the knockdown, at what point did you realize you would come out for that shot (Makhachev won with a triangle hand in the second round)?
– When I was going around the legs, I just wanted to squeeze it. I realized he didn’t talk much [от удара]that it makes no sense to finish him off. But I went around the legs, made a hold and… I always do this submission, the others rarely. From the start, I took it well. Although people are now saying he gave up quickly, I never expected to go side control there. When it started spinning I realized you can turn it up and it will either fall asleep or give up.
Conor showed a scratch on his thigh after falling off his bike. Does it make you laugh and do you think he will hold at least one fight?
– Now even if the nail is broken, you need to upload a photo. If you have a scratch too. One way or another, you need to be heard. You have to say something. Apparently, we have to fall from the big one now. He may return, but a title fight is unlikely.
– Mairbek Taisumov trains with Volkanovski, he is a distant relative of Khabib. Have you communicated with Mairbeck and what do you think of it in general?
– There was no communication. So many people have sent me this photo. How to treat it? I have no respect for that.
– Are you going to watch Fedor Emelianenko’s fight? And how can he stop Ryan Bader’s fight – in the last fight he just wore out Chick Knoy for her.
– Of course I’ll watch, I’m just on a diet and I don’t have to break it, but I will watch the replay 100%. I don’t think he will be able to somehow press Fedor and fight him, because Fedor … Well, I don’t even know, I always remember Fedor’s past and put it in such a way that no one cannot defeat him. Fedor just needs to punch, he has the same fast hands, the same power in his hands. Well, don’t miss it.
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Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
