UFC 284: Islam Makhachev shows off AFL skills ahead of Alex Volkanovski fight

It’s a rite of passage for any high-profile figure on his first trip to Australia, and Islam Makhachev couldn’t help but get thrown a foot ahead of UFC 284.

Luckily for the Dagestan conqueror, he proved he’s just as good on his feet as he is by throwing punches inside the Octagon.

Makhachev, 31, defends his lightweight title for the first time this weekend when he takes on Australian star and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in Perth.

The 155-pound king traveled to Australia with his close friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, but the No. 2-ranked pound-for-pound athlete has put his time to good use as he prepares for the biggest fight of his career.

And during the press rounds leading up to UFC 284, someone tossed the Dagestan at a Sherrin football used by AFL footballers.

Islam Makhachev showed off his soccer skills ahead of UFC 284 this weekend in Australia

Video footage shared by RMC Sport showed Makhachev getting comfortable with the oval-shaped ball, keeping it in the air with a series of skillful moves before it finally spun out of his control.

With that kind of skill and a bit more training, the 31-year-old could have traded the Octagon for the MCG in another lifetime.

As Makhachev tries to generate interest in his megafight with Volkanovski, the Dagestani has clearly not been happy with the lack of promotion for UFC president Dana White’s lightweight title fight.

“Dana White himself has some issues,” he said. ‘He doesn’t pay much attention to this fight. In pay-per-view terms, yes, he could have done more.

‘I only saw Volkanovski once, in Sydney. A world tour could be organized, a conference could be held in the United States.

But the UFC supremo responded to Makhachev’s claim, insisting that Dagestan lacks knowledge when it comes to promoting fights.

Makhachev (left) takes on Alexander Volkanovski (right) at UFC 284 this weekend in Perth

The Dagestan entered a war of words with UFC President Dana White earlier this week.

First of all, he lives in Dagestan. What does he know about what’s going on for the fight promotion? He doesn’t know anything.

‘It’s going to be one of the five greatest fights of all time. First of all, the event was sold out. Good? You couldn’t get a ticket if you wanted to get a ticket in Perth.

“And this is trending right now to be the biggest pay-per-view event in Australia, which is like six per cent behind Conor McGregor.” [vs. Dustin] Poirier fight 3.

‘He’s probably going to break the record. So say the fight hasn’t been [promoted], that’s just ridiculous. That’s what you call Internet BS.