Islam Makhachev wants to KO Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284
Islam Makhachev has high hopes for UFC 284. The UFC lightweight champion wants to make a statement against UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski by winning via knockout.
“Honestly, I want to knock him out,” Makhachev told ESPN Deportes’ Carlos Contreras Legaspi. “Everybody says Islam is a grappler or wrestler. But I want to show people my striking. He’s a short guy, and I really believe I can knock him out.”
Quote via TheScore
I hate to break it to Makhachev, but when you are one of the best grapplers in the world people are going to call you a grappler. That is not a diss either, the guy is an outstanding wrestler.
Now, Makhachev will be at a big disadvantage when this fight is standing. Yes, he will be taller than Volkanovski; however, Volkanovski is a quicker and more technical striker than Makhachev.
If Makhachev were to land a knockout shot against Volkanovski it would likely come by feinting a takedown and following it with an overhand. Now, this is an effective way to mix martial arts, but it does not really prove that you are an elite striker- at least not in the traditional sense.
To add to this, Makhachev envisions the size and power difference will be the factor that will help him find this knockout.
“This is not his area,” Makhachev said. “I am from (another) division. This is not the same power. Not the same. He’s going to understand this.”
Quote via TheScore
If Makhachev was smart, he would not bother striking with Volkanovski. Even if he had the ability to strike with Volkanovski, there is no reason to. Instead, Makhachev can just take him down and control him on the mat. The path of least resistance is always the smartest route. There is no reason to make this fight harder than it needs to be.
Regardless of how he gets it done, Makhachecv wants to end the featherweight king’s 22-fight win streak and see him bounce back with a win. At least he wants to see Volkanoski succeed after he knocks him.
“He’s good,” Makhachev said. “I hope he wins his next fight. He has (a) good … win streak.”
Quote via TheScore
This fight has gotten wild recently. Makhachev thinks he can win by knockout and Volkanovski thinks he can force Makhachev to wrestle and keep the fight on the feet. Let’s see who is right, or maybe they are both wrong — which is the most probable outcome.
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