Alexander Volkanovski has let slip the next opponent for his UFC featherweight crown, before cackling: “It’s probably going to get me in trouble …”
UFC 330: Makhachev v Machado Garry | SUN 16 AUGUST 11AM AEST | UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev will return to the octagon for another tittle defence, where he takes on Ian Machado Garry in Philadelphia. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
And bizarrely, the admission all came midway through interviewing his old Octagon foe, Islam Makhachev.
On the eve of this Sunday’s UFC 330 blockbuster — where Makhachev defends UFC welterweight gold against Ian Machado Garry — Volkanovski has interviewed the Dagestani superstar for Main Event Australia.
Of course, the pair have a long history.
With Volk having twice moved up to try and beat the man who was at the time UFC lightweight champion.
Of course, history now shows the Wollongong native was bested both times.
Last start too, Makhachev also dethroned Australia’s UFC welterweight champ Jack Della Maddalena.
And as part of that build, Volk had flown over to Perth to help JDM prepare.
Some of which was discussed during a revealing interview on Wednesday.
However, it was around midway through when Volkanovski basically admitted, officially, that he is already making preparations to next defend against Movsar Evloev.
“It’s not signed,” the Aussie then quickly clarified, “but it’s pretty obvious that is what it is going to be.
“So I dunno, we pretty much just broke that [fight announcement]. It’s probably going to get me in trouble. But anyway …”
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Ironically, the revelation came after Makhachev first stated that Volk would be fighting the undefeated Russian next.
During part of a conversation about wrestling, the Dagestani said: “I think now, you [now focus] on wrestling all the time, on the grappling, because your next opponent also has a lot of great takedowns. I think wrestling will be involved in this camp.”
Volk: “Yeah for sure”.
From there, Volk then asked specifically about the hyped Russian.
“Hey did you train with Movsar,” he continued.
Islam: “Maybe a couple of times in a gym somewhere we meet. But he’s from Ingushetia, which from Dagestan is maybe three, four hours drive.”
Volk: “So is he from Dagestan?”
Islam: “No, from Ingushetia. I’ll explain to you. Dagestan is bordered by Azerbaijan, and after that Chechnya, where Khamzat Chimaev is from. And after that is Ingushetia. We are like three neighbours, but still it’s far.
Volk: “Yeah, Ok. And you’re right. This camp is going to be a similar camp [to when he fought Makhachev]. He’s wrestle heavy. And it’s always tough camps when you’re wrestling the whole time.”
Certainly, Volkanovski’s next defense is quickly becoming one of the worst-kept secrets in MMA.
Late last week, ‘The Great’ was speaking in a Youtube training vlog when he also hinted at the Russian grappling specialist likely being next.
“It’s not locked in, but it’s pretty obvious it’s probably going to be Movsar,” Volkanovski said. “So get all that wrestling in nice and early.”
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While injuries and a lack of signature finishes have delayed Evloev’s run to a UFC featherweight title fight, he has still gone undefeated through 20 consecutive fights — including wins over Lerone Murphy, Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen and Diego Lopes.
Elsewhere in his training video, Volkanovski said: “Always good to be back here in Thailand. Focus. Get stuck into it. Train hard. Get ready to ramp things up. … Still nothing confirmed, but the dates I’m thinking, I need to start getting ready so we’re playing as if it’s game on. We should get confirmation soon though.”
In his interview with Makhachev meanwhile, Volk also branded the pair’s first 2023 title bout as the favourite of his own storied career.
Moving up as part of a bold gamble to become UFC ‘Champ Champ’, Volk went five rounds with the then reigning UFC lightweight king, only to lose via decision.
Later that year too, Volk would have a second crack – this time on just 10 days notice – but was stopped in the first round.
On their first fight, Volkanovski said: “A lot of people ask me ‘what’s your favourite fight’? And even though I lost to you, I still say that’s my favourite.
UFC 330: Makhachev v Machado Garry | SUN 16 AUGUST 11AM AEST | UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev will return to the octagon for another tittle defence, where he takes on Ian Machado Garry in Philadelphia. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
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“Obviously, it was my first fight in Australia in a very long time. So it was about the atmosphere. But not only that, it’s the fight itself.
“You talk about the Dagestani grappling, and I’ve never had someone take me to those levels. A lot of times, I counter, and then you counter my counter … we had so many layered scrambles.
“A lot of people won’t usually get me that far. It was such a great experience for me. I’d do something, have my go to, and then you would have an answer for that. Then I would have to go to something completely opposite, because you’d shut that down.
“And being able to experience that in a fight, at the highest level, that’s why it’s my favourite.”
Makhachev: “For me also it was the hardest, that first time in Australia. And after that fight I learned a lot. Because I was tired. You always pressure me. We fight every second. We don’t stop.
“But I know, bro, I’m going to fight 25 minutes. What’s happened [in the past] doesn’t matter. I’m tired. There’s hard punch or something crazy happened. But I will fight all five rounds. After that fight I improve on everything.
“My fight IQ. I feel I come to another level.”
Volk: “Well, you’re on an absolute tear …”