Islam Makhachev Says It’ll Take 15 Seconds to Make Alexander Volkanovski Feel Helpless: ‘I Guarantee You Will Panic’

Islam Makhachev had some words for Alexander Volkanovski after 'The Great' expressed confidence in his ability to prevent and recover from the Dagestani's takedowns

Islam Makhachev
Courtesy of @MMAJunkie on Twitter

Islam Makhachev says it’ll only take 15 seconds for Alexander Volkanovski to panic once his back hits the mat.

After scoring a shocking first-round submission over Charles Oliveira to capture the UFC lightweight championship, Makhachev will defend his title for the very first time against the No. 1 pound-for-pound ranked fighter in the world, Alexander Volkanovski. The champion vs. champion clash will headline the promotion’s return to Australia on February 11th. 

Appearing on Michael Bisping’s ‘Believe You Me‘ podcast, Volkanovski shared details of his training camp heading into the massive main event. Specifically focusing on preventing and recovering from the Dagestani destroyer’s takedowns, ‘The Great’ is confident that should he find himself on the mat, he will have the strength and composure to get back to his feet.

“He might get a takedown,” Volkanovski said. “He might get a nice trip or whatever it is. I won’t be surprised if he doesn’t, but if it does, I guarantee you this, I’m gonna be composed, I’m gonna be calm and I’m going to be fighting my a** off to get back to my feet.”

Islam Makachev believes that will be easier said than done for the featherweight champion who was quick to respond to Volkanovski’s comments, suggesting that once he hits the floor, he won’t be so cool, calm, and collected.

“After [the] first 15 helpless seconds on the ground, I guarantee you will panic,” Makhachev tweeted.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Confidently Shares Islam Makhachev Gameplan Against Alexander Volkanovski

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov is so confident in his protege’s ability, he willingly spoiled Islam Makhachev’s game plan for his highly-anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 284. In an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, ‘The Eagle’ said:

“Volkanovksi? Clinch, lots of knees. He is going to eat a lot of knees. It’s going to take [all of his] energy. [Then Makhachev] is going to take him down and he’s going to choke him out.”

Whether he has three months or six months to prepare, Nurmagomedov does not see any other outcome besides Makhachev retaining his lightweight crown and taking Volkanovski’s spot at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings in spectacular fashion.

“Even if he knows this [the game plan], let him prepare [for] this, how many months? Five months, six months? This guy [Islam Makhachev] has been doing this [for] 20 years” (h/t Sportskeeda)

Published on December 23, 2022 at 4:26 pm
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