Islam Makhachev knows better than most just how difficult it is to beat Alex Volkanovski.
But the UFC welterweight champ believes his old rival’s best days are now behind him – and is tipping Movsar Evloev to take advantage at UFC 333.
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Volkanovski will put his featherweight title on the line against Evloev in the main event in Abu Dhabi on October 24, with the Aussie superstar attempting to make the second successful defence of his second reign as champion.
Yet Makhachev, who shared six unforgettable rounds with Volkanovski across two fights, believes age could finally catch up with the 37-year-old [who will be 38 at the time] against one of the UFC’s toughest contenders.
Speaking to Russian media recently, Makhachev backed his countryman to dethrone ‘The Great’, pointing specifically to Volk’s age.
“[Movsar] knows himself that the fight won’t be easy, that Volkanovski is a tough opponent for anyone,” Makhachev said.
“But I think Movsar will manage with his youth.
“Volkanovski, honestly speaking, is not at the same peak he was a couple of years ago.
“Even though he is still one of the best fighters.
“I think it’ll be a very competitive fight but I hope Movsar will do his job.”
And few fighters are better placed to make that call than Makhachev.
Volk famously stepped up to lightweight in an attempt to become a two-division champ against Makhachev at UFC 284 in Perth in 2023, pushing the Dagestani superstar through five incredibly competitive rounds before losing via unanimous decision.
The pair would throw down again later that year at UFC 294, this time on short notice for Volk, with Makhachev producing a devastating first-round head-kick knockout.
It was the beginning of a tough stretch for Volkanovski, who then lost his featherweight crown after being knocked out by Ilia Topuria in February 2024.
But any suggestion the Windang legend was finished has since been answered.
Volk reclaimed the vacant featherweight championship against Diego Lopes at UFC 314 before successfully defending the belt in their rematch.
Still, Volk knows the clock is ticking.
“If things go terribly wrong, all right, we’re done,” Volkanovski said in a recent interview with 10 News.
“If things go very well like the last one, no damage, go through, all right, we’ll keep it rolling.”
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And Evloev is a serious challenge – with the betting markets suggesting there is almost nothing between the pair.
The Russian arrives at his first UFC title fight with a perfect 20-0 pro record and has yet to taste defeat in 10 appearances inside the Octagon.
Yet while Makhachev believes the timing is right for his countryman, Volk’s camp isn’t buying it.
In fact, longtime coach Joe Lopez recently told Fox Sports Australia that Evloev’s approach could actually play straight into the champ’s hands.
“Defensive grappling more than anything,” Lopez said of one of the major focuses in camp.
“But Volk is very good on the ground.
“It’s the ideal match-up for him, personally.”
Lopez also argued that, for all Evloev’s success as a grappler, the Russian doesn’t carry the same dangers Volk has faced against others.
“With Ortega, and those sorts of fighters, you’ve got the danger of the submission artist,” Lopez said.
“Movsar’s not a submission guy.
“He’s not, say, like an Islam Makhachev. Islam does a lot of submissions as well, where Movsar doesn’t.
“And he’s not like, say, a Khabib [Nurmagomedov] who gets on top of you and grounds and pounds you.
“He sort of grabs you and hangs on to you. You know, that’s what he does.
“So there’s no real threat apart from him hanging on.”
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So while Makhachev believes Evloev’s youth can be the difference, Volk’s own camp sees the Russian as a match-up made in heaven for the Aussie.
Not that Makhachev’s prediction should be mistaken for a shot at his old rival.
Far from it.
The old foes have developed a close friendship, with Makhachev recently inviting the Aussie to spend several weeks training – and even hunting – with him in Dagestan.
And Volk was more than happy to accept.
“I’m coming to Dagestan and we’re definitely going to get some training,” Volkanovski said.