‘Australia Needs A Big Fight’

With each undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, and just lately minted undisputed light-weight finest, Islam Makhachev clamouring for the UFC to subject contracts for a superfight subsequent yr, the previous insists the bout will happen, claiming his residence nation of Australia is due a “large struggle” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most just lately co-headlining at UFC 276 again in July throughout Worldwide Battle Week, Volkanovski turned in a dominant third profession win over former featherweight champion, Max Holloway – efficiently defending his championship. 

Final month, the New South Wales native weighed in because the official backup to the UFC 280 light-weight title that includes Charles Oliveira, and the aforenoted, Makahchev – nevertheless, his companies weren’t required by the group. 

As a substitute, Volkanovski joined newly topped, light-weight kingpin, Makhachev within the Octagon following his submission win in Abu Dhabi, UAE – organising a possible February superfight in Perth, Australia.

Alexander Volkanovski guarantees a struggle with Islam Makhachev will occur subsequent

Each noting their curiosity in reserving the struggle sooner slightly than later throughout their respective Twitter accounts, Volkanovski has insisted a struggle with Makhachev will occur – and extra to the purpose, in his native Australia.

“We’re going to make it occur,” Alexander Volkanovski mentioned of a struggle with Islam Makhachev throughout a media availability forward of UFC 281 this weekend. “Don’t fear about that. Australia wants a giant struggle. Me simply defending can be nice, however me going for that light-weight title, taking that light-weight title in Perth on residence soil can be unbelievable.”

“That’s precisely what I plan on doing,” Alexander Volkanovski continued. “I put the tweets out simply to verify it occurs. I’ll depart it at that.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

Makhachev’s teammate and coach, former light-weight titleholder, Khabib Nurmagomedov predicted a dominant win for his coaching associate over Volkanovski as well forward of the potential struggle, claiming Makhachev will gazump the Aussie on the pound-for-pound primary within the UFC.