Islam Makhachev has spoken candidly about a major problem he had just before setting foot in the octagon for the first time with Alexander Volkanovksi.
The pair of MMA legends fought for the ages at UFC 284 on February 12, 2023 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images
Islam Makhachev says he didn't have time to recover from the weigh-in for his first fight with Alexander Volkanovski
In one of the highest quality matchups in UFC history, Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski put on an incredible show.
The icons traded powerful shots in a clash that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Over the course of five dramatic rounds, the momentum ebbed and flowed, with each man taking huge blows before coming back with his own.
In the end, it was the Russian who walked away victorious, despite the fact that his preparation for the fight didn't exactly go to plan.
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In an interview with Demetrious Johnson on the flyweight legend's YouTube channel, he explained: “The first time, if you ask me what the fight is, you have a very poor recovery after the weigh-in, everything in this fight because we travel to Australia, and they started the event at five in the morning. They're making this show for American time; it's crazy.
“They don't give me time to recover. Volk didn't need it; he went up from 145 pounds. That day was a bad day. I haven't recovered much.”
A few months later, the Dagestani got the chance to set the record straight, knocking his rival unconscious with a thunderous head kick at UFC 294.
Makhachev beamed: “When they called me and told me that Volk was going to the UFC in Abu Dhabi, they had changed Charles Oliveira, I was very happy.
“I know I have to close the old question because too many people were talking about the first fight. I was very happy.”
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The second win over Volkanovksi was nothing short of huge for Makhachev, with many subsequently bringing him into the discussion, along with his friend Khabib Nurmagomedov, as potentially the best fighter the 155-pound division has ever seen.
The Russian superstars have changed the game and used their immense Sambo skills to climb the MMA mountain.
But as good as they both are, another UFC fan favorite believes there is another man who deserves to be called the greatest lightweight of all time.
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