Like Khabib
Nurmagomedov before him, Islam
Makhachev has made his name in the UFC through his wrestling
and grappling.
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The recently crowned lighweight champion wants to change that
perception in his showdown with reigning featherweight king
Alexander Volkanovski in the UFC 284 main event.
“Honestly, I want to knock him out, because everybody says [that]
Islam a grappler or wrestler, but I want to show people my
striking,” Makhachev told
ESPN Deportes. “He is a short guy, and I really believe I can
knock him out.”
Conversely, Volkanovski, who is in the midst of a 22-fight winning
streak, is confident than he matches up well with his opponent in
the wrestling department. According to Makhachev, the size
differential will be a rude awakening for the City Kickboxing
representative.
“This is not his area,” Makhachev said. “I’m from other division.
This is not the same power. It’s not the same, and he’s going to
understand this, but he wants to try because he’s not losing. If he
loses, what is he going to lose? Just belt with him, but he wants
to try to jump and make some good money, make some pay-per-view
money, but this is not his area.”
One big storyline heading into UFC 284 is Nurmagomedov’s recent
decision to step away from his role as coach to devote more time to
family. Makhachev says that while the ex-champ isn’t around as much
in the gym, he still provides input for the game plan.
“We miss him in the gym always,” Makhachev said. “He’s not spending
a lot of time in the gym because he travels a lot with business and
family. He still calls me and gives me good advice. We make the
plan together. Now he just stays with his family.”
If he is victorious in Perth on Saturday night, Makhachev has
designs on facing a contender from the lightweight division
next.
“Honestly I want to fight [Beneil] Dariush. I hope he wins his next
fight. Because he has a good win streak. It’s gonna be a big
match,” he said.