“It was a close fight, I have a lot of praise, but I’m upset because I was going to win,” the Australian told ESPN after the UFC 284 tournament. “I know that I could have done more, benefited more in some episodes. I thought he would be stronger, but I give him credit – I underestimated his striking, he underestimated my struggle. It’s mixed martial arts, what can I say”
“There are rumors that Islam was talking to his cornermen about a rematch because he thought he had lost, which is funny in itself. I’m ready to do it. I will review the fight and draw the appropriate conclusions. Next time it will be a completely different story. If that’s what the UFC wants, the people want, and Islam wants, I definitely want it too.”
“You know, I’m my biggest critic – I remember every punch he threw, I remember every moment that didn’t make me happy, but I wouldn’t be surprised if my hand was raised. However, I have no complaints about the referees and judges, only to myself. In such a close fight, I should have done more, and next time I won’t make those mistakes.”
Recall that the title superfight between Makhachev and Volkanovski, who headed the UFC 284 tournament in Perth, went the whole distance and ended with the victory of the Russian by unanimous decision with a score of 49-46 and 48-47 twice.