Islam Makhachev claims Alexander Volkanovski took UFC 294 bout for a payday
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is stepping in on 11 days’ notice to fight UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Although, the lightweight champion believes Volkanovski’s willingness to take the fight revolves around money rather than legacy.
Makhachev gave his opinion on Volkanovski during the UFC 294 Pre-Fight Press Conference. All quotes are via The Score.
“Everybody knows what you need. Just money. That’s it,” Makhachev said to Volkanovski.
“He (didn’t) bring his belt,” Makhachev said when pressed further on the matter. “I put my win streak, I put my belt (on the line).”
Makhachev’s claims have some relevancy. Typically, fighters get pay raises to take fights on short notice. Volkanovski is not an exception. Not to mention, the pay-per-view points add a pretty penny to Volkanovski’s bank account.
With that being said, Volkanovski has never appeared to be someone who fights for money. Yes, this is prizefighting, but Volkanovski has consistently fought for legacy. That is the reason he fought Makhachev the first time. On top of that, he fought the trilogy with Max Holloway to prove he was the better fighter.
If Volkanovski was a fighter who strove for massive paydays, he would likely talk more trash or at least attempt to build fights. That has never been a staple of his game.
Of course, Volkanovski denied Makhachev’s claims.
“I want to avenge my losses,” Volkanovski said. “It burns me. I didn’t get my hand raised – that hurts me. Now I have to do it on 12 days’ notice.”
Regardless of Volkanovski’s intentions, he has the opportunity to cement himself as an all-time great at UFC 294. If he gets the victory, he will be the fifth simultaneous double champion in UFC history. As for Makhachev, beating Volkanovski for a second time only strengthens his resume.
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