Islam Makhachev questioned why Alexander Volkanovski was cutting weight after coming across the featherweight champion during UFC 280 fight week.
Volkanovski is on standby to fill in for Charles Oliveira or Makhachev if either of the pair are unable to compete in their vacant lightweight title fight on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi. UFC boss Dana White has confirmed Volkanovski will be next in line for the winner of Oliveira and Makhachev's title fight, as the featherweight king has already beaten the top contenders in his weight class.
Makhachev told reporters of his meeting with Volkanovski: "I met Volkanovski downstairs – he’s a short guy. I ask him why you need to cut weight right now? If I beat Volkanovski people are going to say [he's too small] but people are always going to talk. "[Right now] I want to fight with Charles, and I hope he’s going to make weight. But it doesn’t matter. This camp, I trained so hard, it doesn’t matter who is going to be there. Saturday night, I need someone.”
