Conor McGregor thinks Alexander Volkanovski needs to overwhelm Islam Makhachev with force in their potential champion-vs.-champion fight next year.
After Makhachev (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) claimed the vacant lightweight belt against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi this past Saturday, he set the stage for a showdown with featherweight kingpin Volkanovski (25-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC), potentially at UFC 284 on Feb. 12 in Perth, Australia.
If made, the fight would mark just the seventh time active divisional titleholders would face each other in the octagon. McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC), however, doesn’t seem to think the public cares, and posted on social media that the matchup only would do double-digit pay-per-view buys (via Twitter):
My two old belts. On two little ticks. This fight does 10 buys pic.twitter.com/8AIzVyxQUl
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 24, 2022
My two old belts. On two little ticks. This fight does 10 buys
Volkanovski responds
McGregor’s dig about the public interest around the matchup sparked a response from Volkanovski, who used McGregor’s own words against him in a retort (via Twitter):
A former wise man once said… pic.twitter.com/uxuAeib75l
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) October 24, 2022
A former wise man once said…
Just watching and monitoring mate. That’s all. Happy for you in the spot tbh. I’ll be back. This is not over. You know.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 24, 2022
Just watching and monitoring mate. That’s all. Happy for you in the spot tbh. I’ll be back. This is not over. You know.
Respect brother. Will be happy to welcome you back.
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) October 24, 2022
Respect brother. Will be happy to welcome you back.
Game plan advice
McGregor took Volkanovski’s jab in stride, and proceeded to change the topic of conversation to how “The Great” should approach the fight with Makhachev, who has been nothing short of dominant during his current 11-fight winning streak.
Volkanovski would be moving up in weight to challenge for Makhachev’s belt if the fight materializes, and although the Aussie seems to be think his speed will be a huge advantage for him, McGregor said power will be key in getting the job done (via Twitter):
And we dance on. Good. I was in your exact spot one time don’t forget. 145 coming up. Good luck. I’d say go heavier. Rugby days. Be a bowling ball. That’s how I’d do it as you. Your condition right now as i see it, I don’t know. But bowling ball style for you for best chance.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 24, 2022
And we dance on. Good. I was in your exact spot one time don’t forget. 145 coming up. Good luck. I’d say go heavier. Rugby days. Be a bowling ball. That’s how I’d do it as you. Your condition right now as i see it, I don’t know. But bowling ball style for you for best chance.
The comeback
McGregor, who UFC president Dana White confirmed after UFC 280 no longer is in the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) testing pool, hasn’t seen action since his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier in their trilogy bout.
“The Notorious” suffered a broken leg in that contest. He must complete six months of testing before he can return to competition, but currently is filming the “Roadhouse” movie remake.
Although there always are some who think McGregor’s best days are behind him and doubt he’ll ever be back, the Irishman once again said his story is far from written (via Twitter):
I’m feeling crazy confident. Calm. Disattached from emotion. Aware of what I must do and making it happen. Visualizing. I see it all. Clear. This movie wraps, I’m back. I’ll have multiple fights completed by the time this movie even releases.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 24, 2022
I’m feeling crazy confident. Calm. Disattached from emotion. Aware of what I must do and making it happen. Visualizing. I see it all. Clear. This movie wraps, I’m back. I’ll have multiple fights completed by the time this movie even releases.
