In an effort to become the sixth double champion in UFC history, Alexander Volkanovski will face Islam Makhachev for the lightweight championship next month. The featherweight champion recently revealed that despite competing at a higher weight class, he only expects to gain a few kilogrammes.
The No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter revealed the following to Israel Adesanya, Volkanovski’s teammate, through David Adesanya:
“That is where science enters the picture. We wanted those additional few kg because we wanted it to be perfect. Once more, we don’t want too much of it here. Right now, it weighs five kilos heavier than I typically do when going about.”
“It’s time to lose the additional fat and part of the water in order to regain all of that weight. On fight night, I’ll be a few kilos heavier than I would be if I were a featherweight, perhaps about two or three kilos. There’s not much more I want to be than that.”
He stated that during fight week, he would only lose roughly six to seven kg. Volkanovski has competed in the lightweight category just once in nearly six years, despite winning all four of his prior fights there, including his UFC debut. His lone defeat in his professional career occurred at welterweight back in 2013. Since then, “The Great” has won 22 straight matches.
Alexander Volkanovski discusses Khabib Nurmagomedov’s absence from UFC 284
Although his close buddy and training partner Islam Makhachev is seeking to win the UFC’s pound-for-pound champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov will not be in Makhachev’s corner at UFC 284. Recently, Alexander Volkanovski discussed the absence of the UFC Hall of Famer. The featherweight champion explained to FoxSports Australia’s Nick Walshaw:
When all is all said and done, they better not use it as an excuse. Makhachev will prepare at the end of the day, and we’ll fight. He doesn’t require a hand to be held. doesn’t require a companion to be present in the space. Not a true fighter, that. So it better not happen when my hand is raised.
Volkanovski said that he thought Makhachev’s road to the title was less difficult because of his friendship with Khabib. The lightweight champion admitted that things would be different, but he also noted that he has previously battled without his friend in his corner, emphasising the fact that you are by yourself when the fight starts.
