Alexander Volkanovski dismisses narrative of UFC 284 being under promoted

Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski disagree on how the UFC should be promoting their forthcoming superfight at UFC 284. The Great, in contrast to his next opponent, thinks Perth’s event has received more than enough publicity.

Dana White and the UFC have recently been under fire from Makhachev for what appears to be a lack of promotion for his championship defence against Volkanovski this weekend. The lightweight champion believed that there may have been more preparation for the fight. Volkanovski seemed to disagree, though.

Alexander Volkanovski discussed the excitement surrounding this hotly anticipated super fight in Australia in a recent interview with Brett Okamoto of ESPN MMA:

“There is adequate buzz. Of course, some claim that [there isn’t], but I don’t agree with them. We’re excited because we’re in Australia. I am aware of its size. I have no idea how things are in Dagestan or elsewhere, but here we are humming.”

The featherweight champion went on to explain how difficult it was for fans to purchase tickets because of the tremendous demand:

“We quickly sold out of it. People are having trouble getting tickets, despite having flights and a combination for each of them. Over here, there is a buzz.”

Alexander Volkanovski on the significance of his fight against Islam Makhachev

When he faces Islam Makhachev this weekend, Alexander Volkanovski will definitely face the toughest test of his professional career. In the main event of UFC 284, the current featherweight champion will compete for the lightweight championship at home.

Due to his superior grappling abilities, huge size and weight advantage, and legitimate betting edge coming into fight day, Makhachev is going into the match as the favourite. At UFC 280, the 31-year-old won the lightweight championship by convincingly submitting Charles Oliveira. He made Volkanovski aware of his presence at the same event, and the two top-ranked fighters in terms of weight class were scheduled to square off on February 12.

When asked in the same interview with Brett Okamoto about how significant this battle is to him and how historic a victory would be, “The Great” responded:

“The pound-for-pound comparison of number one and number two was already recorded in history. There have probably not been many fights like this. The fact that I’m going to go to the underdog and raise my hand thereā€¦ My legacy will be defined by this year, which begins this weekend.”


Alexander Volkanovski currently has a remarkable 22-fight winning run going. For the chance to become the fifth simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history, he will try to end Makhachev’s 11-fight winning streak.

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