Islam Makhachev mocks Alexander Volkanovski by calling him a “short guy” as the undefeated Dagestani discusses a backstage clash with the Australian prior to the UFC 280 lightweight title bout. However, the Russian seemed more eager in facing Charles Oliveira.
Volkanovski (25-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) is the official backup for Makhachev’s vacant lightweight title bout against Charles Oliveira (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC) at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday’s UFC 280.
Whatever the outcome of this weekend’s event, UFC president Dana White has already said that Volkanovski deserves another shot at the championship. While Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) is unsure of Volkanovski’s motivation for traveling so far as he will be prepared to face him if Oliveira is unable to make it to the fight.
Makhachev doesn’t seem to care who is standing before him as long as the championship is up for grabs.
“Honestly, I met Volkanovski downstairs – he’s a short guy,” Makhachev said during UFC 280 media day. “I ask him why you need to cut weight right now. But if I beat Volkanovski people are going to say [I beat a smaller opponent] but people are always going to talk.
Islam Makhachev describes running into “short guy” Alexander Volkanovski 😳
Full #UFC280 media day scrum ▶️ https://t.co/7v1fDw3QW2 pic.twitter.com/vYvSGmEDAI
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 19, 2022
“[Right now] I want to fight with Charles, and I hope he’s going to make weight. But it doesn’t matter. At this camp, I trained so hard, it doesn’t matter who is going to be there. Saturday night, I need someone.”
Makhachev enters UFC 280 as the No. 4 rated fighter in the official UFC lightweight rankings, behind Oliveira by three positions. The 31-year-old is on a 10-fight winning run, which is one less than Oliveira presently has to his record.
On the contrary, Volkanovski is currently the UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. With the promotion announcing their return to Australia in February, Makhachev would welcome the opportunity to defend his title in enemy territory.
“Why not? Yes,” Makhachev said. “I went to Australia one time. We can go again.”
He continued, “Yeah, this is gonna be a good fight. Always when the champion from other divisions they fight with other champions, it’s a big, big fight and very interesting fight for all the fans.”
Islam Makhachev’s shocking mockery of Alexander Volkanovski ahead of the UFC 280 lightweight title fight has been criticized by combat fan fans.
https://twitter.com/Kobenhavn1992/status/1582744957848555520?s=20&t=uClWbidXJSMscWQs2Ah86A
This is not the first time that Islam Makhachev has body shamed a rival fighter; most recently, he called Daniel Cormier a “fat guy” in jest.
