After witnessing the defeat of Alexander Volkanovski to Islam Makhachev in a knockout, there has been widespread questioning of Volkanovski’s decision to accept the rematch on such short notice.
Volkanovski agreed to step in for the injured Charles Oliveira and face Makhachev in a rematch with less than two weeks’ notice, headlining UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi last Saturday. Despite the criticism, fellow UFC featherweight Diego Lopes believes that Volkanovski made the right choice.
“I don’t think it was a mistake, considering the first fight was very close,” Lopes said in an interview with MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Many people saw Volkanovski winning, while others believed Makhachev was the winner. Volkanovski was very confident in accepting this fight. I would have done the same.”
“If I had a close fight against someone in a higher weight class for the title, I would have taken the fight as well. Now, after the fight and the outcome, everyone will say it was a mistake. Only fighters understand the feeling of having an opportunity. If I had a close fight with someone and I believed I could beat them, and I had the chance to prove it, I would take the fight. I understand the circumstances are different, but when I fought Evloev, it was a similar situation.”
Lopes does acknowledge that Volkanovski may have bitten off more than he could chew by accepting the rematch on such short notice. However, he maintains that it was not a mistake because the potential reward was too great to pass up. Regardless, Lopes admires Volkanovski for his courage in striving for greatness.
“I think there are always consequences,” Lopes said. “I could be mistaken, but people often say age is just a number, and I somewhat agree with that. However, you must consider that Volkanovski has been competing in this sport for a long time, and as you reach a certain age, you start to decline a bit.
“I have immense respect for him for accepting the fight on 10 days’ notice. He wasn’t prepared for this fight. But yes, it was surprising to see how Makhachev finished him. I think we all expected Makhachev to use his wrestling throughout the fight.”
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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