UFC featherweight (145-pound) champion Alexander Volkanovski is scheduled to face UFC lightweight (155-pound) champion Islam Makhachev for the latter’s title at UFC 284 on February 12, 2023.
Ahead of his highly-anticipated super-fight against the much bigger Makhachev, Volkanovski has suggested that he’s already put on a significant amount of muscle.
In a video posted to his official YouTube channel, Volkanovski recalled receiving the 2022 Charles ‘Mask’ Lewis Fighter of the Year award as well as the 2022 International Fighter of the Year award. Additionally, ‘The Great’ noted that his September 2021 fight against Brian Ortega was nominated for Fight of the Year and that he’s the UFC’s No.1 pound-for-pound fighter.
On that note, Alexander Volkanovski asserted that 2022 has been a great year for his career but added that he’ll surely top it in 2023. ‘Volk’ indicated that he isn’t slowing down during the ongoing holiday season and will continue training against the best in the world to prepare for his upcoming fight.
Volkanovski acknowledged that Islam Makhachev presents a major challenge. However, he emphasized that big challenges bring big opportunities with them. The Australian MMA stalwart stated:
“Islam’s strong. Islam’s going to be ready. But I guarantee you, mark my words — I’m going to be ready. I’m going to be more than ready. I’m going to be fit. I’m going to be stronger than ever. I’m already filling up. I’m already holding more muscle than I originally did in my last few fights. I’m already stronger, significantly stronger.”
‘Volk’ asserted that next year is going to be one for the history books:
“When I’m telling you 2023 is gonna be the biggest year of my whole career, my legacy — This is the defining year. 2023, it starts off with taking out Islam. Big opportunity to not only be great but to be one of the greatest. So, that’s what I’m coming for.”
Watch Volkanovski discuss the topic at 3:56 in the video below:
Islam Makhachev issues a warning to Alexander Volkanovski as he starts fight camp for UFC 284
Alexander Volkanovski is on an epic 22-fight win streak, and Islam Makhachev is on a dominant 11-fight win streak. Besides, ‘Volk’ is currently the UFC’s No.1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, while Makhachev is No. 2.
Makhachev, for his part, has vowed to beat Volkanovski and become the UFC’s new pound-for-pound king. The pair also faced off in the cage after Makhachev won the lightweight title from Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.
During his post-fight octagon interview after defeating Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight belt in October, Islam Makhachev notably jibed at Alexander Volkanovski by labeling him a “short guy.”
Speaking of which, Makhachev recently took yet another jibe at Volkanovski’s stature after commencing his fight camp for UFC 284. The hulking lightweight tweeted a subtle warning to ‘Volk,’ which read as follows:
“Fight camp is on. Be ready short guy.”