“I’m very good at kicking to the head, and against a low opponent like Volkanovski, that’s the best plan for the fight,” the Russian said at the press conference following UFC 294. “I made him make a mistake – I hit some low kicks, body punches and then moved to the head. That was our plan. That’s what we’ve been doing for the last few months. Personally, I think I executed one hundred percent of what we’ve been preparing.”
“I’m glad I was able to finish him in the first round because if it had happened in the championship rounds, people would have started saying he took the fight on short notice and wasn’t ready for a long fight. Now the story with Volkanovski is over.”
According to the Russian, the convincing victory over the Australian confirms his claim to the top spot in the rankings of the UFC’s best fighters regardless of weight class.
“Some people underestimate my striking technique, but now they will respect it, and I showed that I am more than just a wrestler, a grappler, or a puncher. I’m the best MMA fighter. I’m the best fighter in the world right now.”
Makhachev also commented on the statement of UFC head, Dana White, who said that the next opponent of the champion is likely to be Charles Oliveira, who dropped out of the fight due to a dissection.
“It’s none of my business. I just sign a contract and fight. But if you want my opinion, it turns out I have two opponents, Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. If I fight Charles, what’s Justin going to do? Wait? I don’t think that’s a good idea, but whoever they name, I’ll be ready. Either way, a rematch with Charles won’t be any different. He’s going to have a tough time and he’s going to give up – I’m going to choke or knock him out.”
At the same time, the Russian fighter made it clear that a fight for the UFC welterweight title motivates him more than defending the lightweight belt.
“At my weight, everyone is already a downed flyweight – everyone has beaten someone. Because of that, I say we need to identify a real contender. And the second belt motivates me a lot, and I feel that a very strong competition is brewing there and there will be high-profile fights. Maybe I will stay there if I manage to win the belt”