ABU DHABI – UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski couldn’t disagree more with the narrative lightweight champ Islam Makhachev and his team are making of his short-notice opportunity.
Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) took the rematch with Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) on just 12 days’ notice as he replaced an injured Charles Oliveira to headline Saturday’s UFC 294 card at Etihad Arena.
Makhachev and his team have been saying that Volkanovski has nothing to lose given that it’s Makhachev’s lightweight title on the line, not Volkanovski’s featherweight belt, and that he already has a built-in excuse to lose given the tough circumstances he’s accepting the bout under.