Khabib Nurmagomedov correctly predicted that Alexander Volkanovski was going to be a stern test for Islam Makhachev.
According to Javier Mendez, Nurmagomedov expressed concern about the matchup, which the American Kickboxing Academy coach initially dismissed. But as Nurmagomedov thought, Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) ended up taking lightweight champion Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) to the brink in their title fight, which headlined UFC 284 in February, but ultimately he fell short by unanimous decision.
“Khabib would call me up and Khabib would say, ‘Coach, I’m really worried about this fight. Volkanovski is really, really tough. I’m concerned for Islam on this one a little bit,'” Mendez said on the “Jibber with Jaber” podcast. “I’m like, ‘I’m not. We’re gonna win this fight. I don’t know how easy and how hard, but we’re gonna win this fight. So, I know you’re worried, Khabib, but I’m not worried.’ …
“Fast forward to the fight, it was everything Khabib said it was going to be. Super, super tough fight.”
Mendez praised Volkanovski for his strong fifth round, where he dropped Makhachev and ended the fight in top position. But Mendez thinks Makhachev won the other four rounds – despite them being close.
“For me, Alex won that fifth round,” Mendez said. “The last minute, minute-and-a-half of that fifth round. To me, I only gave him that round. But it was devastating. In some people’s eyes, that was, ‘Oh, he did so fantastic, he won the fight.’ The other rounds were closer, but Islam won. To me, Islam won 4-1. If you say 3-2, OK, 3-2.”
One judge awarded Makhachev the first four rounds as Mendez scored it, whereas the other two judges scored it 3-2 for Makhachev. All three judges awarded Volkanovski Round 5.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 284.
