The freshly crowned UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, already has his sights set on a new opponent. Just moments after claiming the 155-pound belt, Makhachev called out the UFC featherweight champion, Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski, for a fight on Volkanovski’s home turf. Makhachev claimed that he was coming for Volkanovski’s no.1 pound-for-pound status at the post-fight press conference.
“I have a new target. I have to be No. 1 pound-for-pound champion. That’s why I have to go to Australia and beat this guy.
Makhachev Targets Volkanovski in Australia Next
I have a big team. It doesn’t matter, it’s good for us. We can travel to Australia, it’s a good country. We can make some camp there, training there.
Before they announced the fight with Charles, Khabib told me many times if they’re going to give us a title fight in Brazil, we’re going to go to Brazil [one month before that fight.] I messaged him when we were talking about this and he said to Dana, ‘Let’s go to Brazil.’
Some people don’t believe, but we can show people the message, what Khabib said to Dana.” UFC president Dana White confirmed that Volkanovski is next in line for a lightweight title shot. Volkanovski will attempt to claim a second belt,
“It looks like Volkanovski is next. Volkanovski never ceases to amaze me. Another incredible fight.”
The UFC is set to return to Volkanovski’s home country of Australia – albeit in Perth, over two thousand miles away from the champ’s home in Windang – in early 2023. White did not confirm whether Volkanovski vs Makhachev would take place at that event, but Makhachev’s coach and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, appeared confident in the matchup.
“This is very big history, our team and all MMA. We need locations, brother. … Volkanovski clinch, [Islam is] going to hit a lot of knees, he’s going to take his whole energy, he’s going to take him down, and he’s going to choke him out.
Volkanovski, we respect you, but we want to take your place, brother.” Just as Volkanovski will attempt to claim a second title, so, too, will Islam Makhachev try to move up to another division to become a multi-division champ.
“I don’t think about retirement right now. I have to be No. 1 pound-for-pound champion. After that moment, we’ll see. We’re going to think about this, but right now I have to defend this belt many times.”
Who do you see winning Volkanovski vs Makhachev? Let us know in the comments.
