Islam Makhachev has taunted Alexander Volkanovski over the pair’s potential title conflict subsequent yr, suggesting that the UFC won’t make the struggle.
After Makhachev submitted Charles Oliveira final month to win the UFC light-weight belt, featherweight champion Volkanovski entered the Octagon to confront the Russian.
Volkanovski has made clear his need to problem for light-weight gold subsequent, which he reiterated after Makhachev’s title win at UFC 280, the place Makhachev mentioned he was open to defending the belt towards the Australian in Perth in March.
Volkanovski, who has received 21 fights in a row together with 4 featherweight title defences, then took to Twitter on Friday (4 November) to put in writing, “Are you a man of your word? @MAKHACHEVMMA? Let’s make it happen!” together with an emoji of a hand and pen.
Makhachev, who has received 11 bouts in a row, responded, “The second I receive the paper, I will sign it, don’t worry. Enjoy your P4P [pound-for-pound] first spot for now,” adopted by a winking emoji.
Volkanovski, 34, is ranked because the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 fighter, whereas 31-year-old Makhachev went straight in at No 3 after beating Oliveira.
Makhachev vs Volkanovski is predicted to function the UFC 284 most important occasion on 12 February, because the UFC returns to Australia for the primary time since 2019.
In his final struggle, Volkanovski outpointed former featherweight champion Max Holloway in July, marking the third time that the Australian has crushed the Hawaiian.
Source: www.impartial.co.uk