Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev will go toe to toe for a second time in the UFC octagon at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.
The first meeting between the two was incredibly close, with Makhachev getting his hand raised. However, multiple people believed that Volkanovski was the true winner of the contest. Of course, Volkanovski came into this fight on short notice after an injury to Charles Oliveira. Yet, with a fighter like Volkanovski, you know it will be a competitive clash.
Alexander Volkanovski Wants To Make A Statment
Volkanovski is a sensational talent and looks unstoppable whenever he competes inside the octagon. The Australian is the current featherweight champion and looks to be in another league compared to his division. He is a very well-rounded fighter and is strong wherever the fight goes. As previously stated, Makhachev, won their first meeting by decision and speaking to an Australian media scram, Volkanovski said he won’t leave it to the judges in the rematch.
“It’s going to be exciting,” Volkanovski said in a media scrum in Australia. “I want to go out there and hurt him. We’ll try to make sure it doesn’t go five rounds. I want to finish it early. I don’t want to test his gas tank. Don’t get me wrong, I can do it, but let’s not try and test it. Let’s finish it nice and early.
“With how excited I am, how refreshed I am — mentally and physically — I’m going to be a dangerous man in there.
“I plan on knocking him out.”
Volkanovski Wanted The Fight
As it is such a high-profile matchup, you may think it was terrible for Volkanovski to take the fight on short notice. However, the featherweight champion said he didn’t think twice about taking the fight.
“I didn’t hesitate at all,” Volkanovski explained. “There was probably a smile on my face immediately, and it was, ‘Oh, we’re going to do it,’ let the manager do his part with negotiations. He’s asking about the weight, ‘We’ll get it done, don’t worry about that.’ But I had a smile on my face.
“The next day, or a couple of days, I just was laughing, thinking how crazy this is, but happy simultaneously. I needed this, to be honest.”
All quotes via MMA Fighting
It will be an exciting rematch, and it looks to be an excellent night in Abu Dhabi.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
