Reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is not interested in a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski, whom he defeated via unanimous decision at UFC 284 in Perth.
This was announced in an interview with The Schmo by the manager of the Russian, Ali Abdelaziz.
“Revenge with Volkanovski will do nothing for Islam,” Abdelaziz said. “He already beat him, and even if he beats him again, there is no benefit in it. Alex is a small guy, and Islam fought him only because he was the first in the ranking of the best fighters. To be honest, I also wanted to see a rematch, but his team said so much shit about us that they themselves ruined everything. If Islam defends the title against Benil, keeps winning, he will move up to welterweight at some point. But now he has to fight Benil, and this is the most difficult challenge in Islam’s career. I know it, Islam knows it, and Khabib knows it.”
Before fighting Islam Makhachev, Benil Dariusz needs to defeat Charles Oliveira on June 10 at UFC 289 in Vancouver, and Alexander Volkanovski, who owns the UFC featherweight title, will go to a unification fight with interim champion Yair Rodriguez on July 8 at UFC 290 in Las Vegas .
According to the UFC plan, the winner of the Oliveira-Darios fight will challenge the Russian fighter on October 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/31446-islamu-makhachevu-ne-interesen-revansh-s-aleksom-volkanovski.html?rand=19907
