“If Islam can close the distance and translate, this can be put an end to, but Volkanovski has great defense against takedowns and this guy knows how to hit,” the Brazilian said in the next episode of the Super Lutas podcast. “If Alex can stay on his feet, move, control distance and hit, he can surprise Islam. The question is which of them will carry out their battle plan better, and it seems to me that Islam will be more successful in this and will win.
On October 22 at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, Islam Makhachev won the vacant UFC lightweight championship belt by finishing Charles Oliveira by arm triangle choke in the second round, and his superfight with Alexander Volkanovski on February 12 will headline UFC 284 in Perth, Australia.