Athletistic/MMA. UFC President Dana White was impressed by Russian fighter Islam Makhachev’s toughness and confidence ahead of his rematch with Alexander Volkanovski.

Makhachev was supposed to face Charles Oliveira, but the Brazilian fighter dropped out and Volkanovski came in to replace him. Makhachev immediately accepted the challenge.

“What does a championship title mean? It means you’re the best in the world. And being the best in the world means you don’t care who’s standing in front of you in the octagon. What would I have had to say? No? So let’s go,” Makhachev said.

White promised that this line from Makhachev would be captured at the UFC Apex arena in Las Vegas.

“I haven’t said yet if it’s been done yet, but I called my guys yesterday and said, ‘I want that Makhachev phrase on the Apex wall.’ And at the UFC Institute too! I really like that approach!’” White shared in an interview on The Pat McAfee Show.

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