Israel Adesanya is showing unwavering support for his teammate Alexander Volkanovski in the face of an incredibly tough challenge.
Volkanovski, the current champion in the 145-pound weight class, has accepted a fight against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev on just 11 days notice. This highly anticipated rematch will take place at UFC 294 on Oct. 21, after Makhachev’s original opponent Charles Oliveira had to withdraw due to injury.
In addition to taking the fight on short notice, Volkanovski will also be traveling to Abu Dhabi, a region known for its support of Makhachev. However, Adesanya remains confident that Volkanovski will not only emerge victorious, but also finish Makhachev.
“I believe Volkanovski won the first fight,” Adesanya shared during an interview with The Rock. “As the fight went on, you could see Volkanovski gaining confidence and thinking, ‘This is how I should be beating him, right? Come on.’ This time, with short notice, Volk has nothing to lose. He’s been training and he’s ready.
“I believe he will finish him this time. But of course, I’m biased. If I were allowed to bet, I know where my money would go.”
In July, Volkanovski underwent arm surgery and was given a six-week rehabilitation period. This came after his dominant TKO victory over Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in Las Vegas. The fight against Makhachev in February at UFC 284 was his first since losing a close unanimous decision to him.
On the other hand, Makhachev hasn’t fought since defeating Volkanovski in their initial meeting in Australia at UFC 284. He won the title in October 2022 by submitting Charles Oliveira, but he has yet to defend it against a top-ranked contender in the weight class.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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