Hall of Fame member and former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, has paid tribute to Australian Alexander Volkanovski, who agreed to take the fight against Islam Makhachev on short notice after losing to the Russian by technical knockout in the first round.
“We have a lot of respect for Alex and we wish him all the best. He is a very good man and a great champion with a big heart,” the undefeated Russian fighter wrote on social media, posting a joint photo of Makhachev and Volkanovski.
Recall that on October 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, Islam Makhachev, who holds the UFC lightweight title, was scheduled to go out to defend his belt against Charles Oliveira, however, twelve days before the event, the Brazilian suffered a dissection and withdrew from the fight, conceding his title shot to Volkanovski.
The fight between Islam Makhachev and Alex Volkanovski comes eight months after the Australian, who holds the UFC featherweight title, made his first failed attempt at becoming a double champion, losing to the Russian by unanimous decision at UFC 284 in Perth.
Alex Volkanovski plans to return to the octagon as early as January for his belt defense against Elijah Topuria, while Islam Makhachev could face Charles Oliveira in March.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/32974-khabib-obratilsya-k-volkanovski-posle-porazheniya-v-boyu-s-makhachevym.html?rand=19907
