Alexander Volkanovski is looking forward to challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title and wants to be the underdog in February.
Makhachev shot to stardom this weekend in Abu Dhabi when capturing the vacant UFC lightweight championship with a round-two submission of Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. With no clear challenger waiting in the wings at 155lbs for Makhachev, featherweight champion Volkanovski is set to face the Russian in a super-fight. If all goes to plan, the fight will take place at UFC 284 on February 11th in Perth, Australia.
Like the lightweight division, there are limited title challengers waiting in the wings for Volkanovski at 145lbs after convincingly clearing out the entire division. As a reward for serving as the UFC 280 main event backup fighter in case either fighter missed weight, Volkanovski has earned himself the next crack at lightweight gold.
Alexander Volkanovski on Islam Makhachev Fight
“That’s why I’m doing that type of stuff – that’s why you see me here and putting a lot on the line, committing to some big things a lot of people wouldn’t do just to put me in position where, again, no one can take an opportunity away from me,” Volkanovski told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at UFC 280. “That’s just how I’ve been, always will be, and now I get to reap the benefits. I want to get that champ-champ and put myself in position where everyone wants to see it now, and even the guy holding that belt wants to see it.
“It’s all falling into place exactly how I wanted. During the week, I’m like, ‘I’m ready to go in there if I have to. But perfect world, if everything goes how we want it to, I fight the winner in Australia.’ This is exactly what it is. It’s going to be huge, not only for Australian fans – they deserve a big fight. They deserve me on that fight (card), either defending the belt or going for that champ-champ. It’s going to be crazy.”
Volkanovski has previously fought in the lightweight division but not at the sport’s highest level, and nobody is close to the skill level that Makhachev operates. The newly crowned champion labelled Volkanovski as “short” during fight week, but he believes being short could actually play into his favour.
“I’m very, very hard to not only take down, but hold down,” Volkanovski said. “One thing I always say, especially these little short legs, they’re very easy to get back to my feet. That’s going to be one hard thing. Getting me down is going to be problem. If you do, I’m bouncing right back up and it’s going to be standup most of the way through. That’s how I see it. And you ain’t going to land on me like that. I don’t just stand in front of you. I come forward and I’m coming straight at you.
“Everyone thinks I’m short, and then I’m punching them in the face and their face changes real quick when I’m in front of him. It’s not an insult. I know I am. But I’m the champ. I’m doing good and I’m going to keep this winning streak going and I’m going to show him what short people can do when they know what they’re doing.”
The bookmakers already have Volkanovski as a significant underdog, but the Australian welcomes the doubt and can’t wait to prove the naysayers wrong.
Proving the Doubters Wrong
It’s definitely a challenge,” Volkanovski voiced. “I’m not going to sit here and say it’s not a challenge. But is it a challenge I can overcome and get through? One hundred per cent, I guarantee I can. I’m looking forward to doing that. I want to be the underdog, as well. I’m looking forward to people being like, ‘He’s not going to be able to handle the power. He’s going to get taken down. He’s not going to be able to get back up.’
“I can’t wait to – as the fight goes – just proving people wrong as each second goes by. I love being the underdog. If people want to doubt me again, that’s beautiful.” (H/T MMA Junkie)
What is your early prediction for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Islam Makhachev?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
