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This is why Khabib claims Volkanovski is a harder fight than Oliveira: “I told Islam …”

Published

November 22, 2022

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Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Photo via USA Today Sports

After winning the lightweight title at UFC 280, Islam Makhachev will make a quick turnaround to face dominant featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski who will step up a weight class to lightweight.

Makhachev’s teammate and longtime friend, Khabib Nurmagomedov, recently gave his opinion about the upcoming fight on Volkanovski’s home turf in Australia.

“I told Islam, even before the last fight. Volkanovski is going to be tougher than Charles Oliveira,” Nurmagomedov said. “He has good experience. Charles and Volkanovski have the same experience, but if you talk about fighting IQ and big heart, I think Volkanovski is better than him. I think Volkanovski is going to be a tougher opponent for Islam than Charles Oliveira. But who cares? We’re gonna finish this guy.”

Islam Makhachev wants to be pound-for-pound No.1

Featherweight Volkanovski is the current UFC’s pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter after successfully defending his featherweight title defenses against Max “Blessed” Holloway, Brian Ortega and The Korean Zombie. He currently rides an insane 22-fight winning streak, with 12-0 in the UFC.

Islam Makhachev is No. 2 in the pound-for-pound rankings is looking to conquer Volkanovski’s throne with a win at UFC 284 in Perth. Makhachev currently rides an eleven-fight winning streak that includes names like Charles Oliveira, Bobby Green and Dan Hooker.

Besides the highly anticipated lightweight title fight, February’s stacked UFC 284 card also includes a featherweight interim title bout between Yair Rodríguez and Josh Emmett.

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