10 February 2023 , 16:55
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Alexander Volkanovski thinks Islam Makhachev has shown a "weak" mindset by criticising his desire to become a two-weight UFC champion.
Featherweight champion Volkanovski moves up to lightweight for the first time in his UFC career when he faces the division's undisputed champion Makhachev in the main event of UFC 284 this weekend. Makhachev has warned Volkanovski that he is making a mistake by leaving his division, predicting the Australian will be too small for the 155lb weight class.
The comments have frustrated Volkanovski as he said of Makhachev: “He’ll sit there and say I’m crazy for stepping up and all that, I think that’s weak looking at it that way. You should challenge yourself. You should put yourself in these positions. Don’t look at what might happen if things go wrong — let’s look at what happens if things go right. Sunday, it’s going to go right and I’m going to be champ-champ.”
Who wins at UFC 284 - Islam Makhachev or Alexander Volkanovski? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
Volkanovski would follow the likes of Conor McGregor and Daniel Cormier if he is successful in winning a UFC title in a second weight class. Since winning the 145lb belt over three years ago, Volkanovski has cleared out most of the top featherweight contenders and he is relishing the challenge a move up to lightweight presents.
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“I love challenging myself. I love putting myself in this position," he said, "I think people should always do that in life. If you want to be successful, challenge yourself. It’s going to make you stronger, trust me. I’m twice the man I was before I started this camp, because I knew the challenge ahead of me. I ain’t scared of the challenge. I know I can rise to the occasion. I know it’s going to make me better. That’s what people remember, these moments.
(Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Makhachev and Volkanovski's fight marks the first time in UFC history that the pound-for-pound No.1 and No.2 have fought each other. Bookies have Volkanovski as a hefty underdog going into the fight and the Australian has taken offence to Makhachev overlooking him in their title clash.
"Supposedly he doesn’t really respect me as an opponent,” Volkanovski added. “He’s thinking that I’m going to be easy. I hope he did his research like we did cause you need to. This is two of the best going at it and I’m going to prove I am the best and I’m going show you why I deserve that No. 1 pound-for-pound.”