UFC boss Dana White confirms Alex Volkanovski will fight Islam Makhachev for the title in Perth
Released: 8:35 p.m. EDT, Oct. 23, 2022 | Updated: 8:35 p.m. EDT, Oct. 23, 2022
Featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski will face Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title in a champion-versus-champion showdown, according to UFC President Dana White.
Makhachev picked up a submission win over Charles Oliveira in yesterday’s main event at UFC 280 to win the vacant lightweight title.
He wasted no time in calling out featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who is determined to become the defending two-division champion.
Alex Volkanovski (pictured) is the UFC featherweight champion, world No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter and is desperate to move up a weight class to become a double champion
Dana White says featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski will take on Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title in a champion vs. champion showdown
Volkanovski, who was at the event as a reserve fighter, entered the Octagon and agreed to the matchup to determine who is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
White doesn’t usually plan new fights on the night of events, but made a rare exception in this case.
“It looks like Volkanovski is next,” White told reporters at the post-fight press conference. “Volkanovski never ceases to amaze me. Another incredible fight.’
White’s confirmation is great news for Aussies as the pair are likely to compete at UFC 284 at the RAC Arena in Perth on February 12 next year in what promises to be one of the biggest nights in Australian combat sport history.
Volkanovski (pictured right) entered the Octagon at UFC 280 and agreed to the matchup with Makhachev to determine who is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world
The UFC boss also mentioned Makhachev’s dominant performance and how easily he defeated a very experienced opponent
“Incredible,” White said. “I’ve been saying all week you have two of the absolute best in the world facing and facing each other in their prime. And after that, when I went up into the octagon, Khabib said, ‘I told you so. I told you he’s the best in the world.”
“I mean hitting Oliveira is one thing, hitting him the way he hit him is another. And as quick as he did it, he looked incredible tonight. The big question tonight was how he’s going to handle the pressure. And he coped well.’
Volkanovski was also impressed by Makhachev’s performance against Olivera, but wasn’t intimidated by it.
Islam Makhachev (pictured left) of Russia subdues Charles Oliveira of Brazil in their UFC Lightweight Championship bout during UFC 280
“I thought Islam could control him a little bit more, I thought he was a lot stronger than Charles,” Volkanovski said after the event.
“Charles could still get up and throw submissions and he couldn’t control him as well as I thought he could and that just makes me more confident because I’m very, very difficult not only to beat but to hold down.
“Getting me down will be a problem and if you do I’ll jump right back up.”
Islam Makhachev celebrates with the belt after winning UFC 280. He will have a size advantage over Volkanovski but the Aussie believes he will have the skills and strength to win
Volkanovski will be at a significant size disadvantage to Makhachev but the 34-year-old believes he has what it takes to become the ‘Champ-Champion’.
“People will say, size that, size that, but trust me, anyone who trains with me knows that strength is never an issue for me,” he said.
“Everyone thinks I’m small and then I hit them in the face and their face changes very quickly when I stand in front of them.
“It’s definitely a challenge, I’m not going to sit here and say it’s not a challenge, but is it a challenge that I can overcome and see through? 100 percent, I guarantee you I can.’
Makhachev has now compiled 11 consecutive wins. Volkanovski is still unbeaten in the UFC and has a 22-fight win streak dating back to 2013.
