What Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev said during final staredown before UFC 284.
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‘I’ll win, you look’: What Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev said during the final showdown ahead of UFC 284… as the Russian reminds his foe of the size difference between them after the Australian called him ‘ WEAK’
- Alexander Volkanovski warned Islam Makhachev ahead of their matchup at UFC 284
- Makhachev reminded Volkanovski of the size difference by touching his shoulder
- Volkanovski called Makhachev ‘weak’ for dismissing his chances of winning
Alexander Volkanovski was the picture of supreme confidence when he faced Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 284.
During their confrontation, Volkanovski told Makhachev: ‘I’ll win, you watch.’ Meanwhile, Makhachev reminded Volkanovski of the height difference between the two by tapping him on the shoulder.
Volkanovski is convinced he can rise to the occasion in Perth and called Makhachev ‘weak’ for saying he is crazy for believing he can be ‘champion-champion’.
Volkanovski said: ‘I love challenging myself. I love putting myself in this position. I think people should always do that in life. If you want to succeed, challenge yourself. It will make you stronger, believe me.
‘I am twice the man I was before starting this camp, because I knew the challenge ahead. I’m not afraid of challenge. I know that I can rise to the occasion. I know it will make me better. That’s what people remember. These moments.
Alexander Volkanovski (right) is confident he can beat Islam Makhachev (left) at UFC 284
‘He sits there and says I’m crazy for stepping up and all, I think that’s weak looking at it that way. You should challenge yourself. You should put yourself in these positions. Don’t look at what could happen if things go wrong, let’s see what happens if things go right. On Sunday, everything will go well and I will be champion-champion’.
Volkanovski added that if Makhachev feels he will be an ‘easy’ opponent, he will be shocked.
Volkanovski continued: ‘Supposedly he doesn’t really respect me as an opponent. He’s thinking I’m going to be easy. I hope he investigated like we did because you need him. These are two of the best and I’m going to prove I’m the best and I’m going to show you why I deserve No. 1 pound for pound.
Makhachev stressed that he respects Volkanovski but was eager to declare that he would beat him.
Makhachev believes he is completely different from other opponents Volkanovski has faced.
Makhachev stressed that he respects Volkanovski but was eager to declare: ‘I’m going to beat him easy.’
When asked why he is confident of success, Makhachev said: “Because I am the champion and this is 155 [pounds] – This is not your area. This is another power, another division, I’m going to win it easy.
‘Of course I respect him. He is [No. 1] pound for pound, but many people say that Islam is the best fighter in the world right now, and on Sunday morning I will show you why people think this.
Volkanovski is undefeated in 22 UFC fights, but Makhachev believes he is completely different to any of the other opponents the Australian has faced.
Makhachev said: ‘Alex is good. Alex is good everywhere, but I’m different. I have a different style. Like all of his opponents. As [‘The Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung], I’m not going to go crazy straight. As [Max] Holloway just followed. I have other plans and I always follow my plans and finish my opponent.’