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.
However, the Australian fighter couldn’t disagree more.
“This whole ‘nothing to lose’ talk is silly,” Volkanovski told reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 294 media day. “Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of pressure on Islam, and I understand that, but I have to take this rematch that I want so bad – this lightweight title, and we talk about legacy. If I were to lose, my legacy takes a big hit. I don’t get another shot at him. I don’t get another shot at the lightweight title. You know what I mean? Like, how much longer do I have? We don’t know these things.
“There’s definitely a lot to lose for me. I think he takes a big hit with a loss to his legacy, losing to someone who’s the featherweight champ, a division below, coming on 12 days’ notice. Again, there’s a lot of pressure on him. No pressure on me. I’m not letting in the pressure, but there’s still a lot to lose for me.”
This is the second time Volkanovski takes on Makhachev as the two fought in February in Australia. That night at UFC 284, Makhachev defended his title in a very competitive unanimous decision victory. Volkanovski is adamant he won the bout and is determined to prove he’s the better fighter.
The 35-year-old believes that Makhachev wouldn’t have accepted a fight with him if the roles were reversed.
“One thing I want to say, put it this way: If the roles were reversed, this fight is not happening,” Volkanovski said. “I don’t care what anyone says. He’s not fighting on 12 days’ notice, so he needs to remember that.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.
