Tag: Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev blasts pound for pound rankings: ‘I don’t understand what else I should do to get the #1 spot’

Islam Makhachev questions pound for pound rankings UFC what should I do to be number oneReigning UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev questions why he is not the No.1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter following a recent…

Islam Makhachev questions pound for pound rankings UFC what should I do to be number one

Reigning UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev questions why he is not the No.1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter following a recent update.

Last Saturday Makhachev rematched late replacement Alexander Volkanovski, in what was a rematch of their highly competitive fight in February of this year and a fight between the No.2 and 3 pound-for-pound ranked fighters. This time however, Makhachev left no doubt – landing a head kick which sent Volkanovski crashing to the floor.

Makhachev followed up with devastating ground and pound which forced the referee to call and end to the action. It’s unclear who or when Makhachev will next fight, but the Dangestani man’s stock has never been higher.

Islam Makhachev reacts to latest rankings update

Following his comeback victory over Ciryl Gane to capture the UFC heavyweight title, Jon Jones would be honoured with the No.1 pound-for-pound spot. But with two wins over Volkanovski and his incredible win streak he has amassed, Makhachev does also hold a strong claim.

The new rankings were just released after last weekend’s UFC 294 and still Jones held the No.1 spot. Makhachev would react and questioned why he was not upped following his recent performance.

“I have already said at the press conference… who makes these rankings, what do they do it for? I have no clue,” Makhachev told Ushatayka. “I beat the pound-for-pound king before, they didn’t put me as No. 1. So now I am not surprised they did it this way again. Maybe that’s because he (Jones) is fighting soon so they want to promote his fight. (transcription h/t Red Corner MMA)

 “I don’t understand what else I should do to get the No. 1 spot,” Makhachev continued. “Other than beat the one who was No. 1.”

Do you think Islam Makhachev should be ranked No.1 pound-for-pound?

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Islam Makhachev speaks with Ushatayka following his victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294

Ex-UFC Champ Urges Alexander Volkanovski to Take Some Time off and Heal: ‘He’s not the same guy’

Alexander VolkanovskiFormer two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes Alexander Volkanovski may have unintentionally exposed himself following his devastating loss to Islam…

Alexander Volkanovski

Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes Alexander Volkanovski may have unintentionally exposed himself following his devastating loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294.

After narrowly dethroning the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ in their February Fight of the Year contender, Volkanovski accepted a rematch on just 11 days’ notice, stepping in for Makhachev’s originally scheduled UFC 294 opponent, Charles Oliveira. Despite the short-notice nature of the matchup, ‘The Great’ went into the bout with the utmost confidence.

Tragically, Volkanovski would come crashing back down to reality just three minutes into the contest when Islam Makhachev landed a perfectly timed head kick that spelled the end of Volkanovski’s dreams to become a dual-world champion.

Following the event, an emotional Alexander Volkanovski revealed his “struggle” to remain active inside the Octagon, even in the most unfavorable of situations.

“I put myself in his position,” Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “I think the biggest mistake that Alexander could do is share a lot of who he is as a person to the people. Why do I say that? ‘I’m going through anxieties, I need to stay busy guys, I go crazy if I don’t stay busy or if I don’t fight.’ If I’m a competitor and I’m seeing all that, especially seeing him get knocked out, you know what I’m gonna be doing? I’m gonna be picking at him.”

“If I’m Ilia [Topuria], if I know that he’s concussed, and I know that he goes crazy when he’s not fighting or he’s at home or he goes through anxiety. If I’m Ilia Topuria, you guys know what I’m thinking? I’m thinking about calling this dude out and getting him to step up still on January 20th to have a better chance of actually beating him. You see, there’s times when you’ve gotta keep things to yourself. When you don’t keep things to yourself, you start to expose yourself” (h/t MMA Mania).

Henry Cejudo Urges Volkanovski to take him time

Despite the setback in Abu Dhabi, Volkanovski remains in talks to defend his featherweight title against No. 5 ranked contender Ilia Topuria at UFC 297 on January 20 in Toronto. That would give ‘The Great’ less than three months to prepare for what could very well be the toughest test of his reign as the 145-pound champion.

“If I’m Ilia Topuria on the flip side, you know what I’m thinking? I have to pick a fight with him,” Cejudo continued. “I have to get him to fight me on January 20th because the simple fact that he’s concussed. He’s concussed, it’s not the same Alexander Volkanovski that was out here finishing all these opponents … he’s not the same guy.

“If I’m Alexander Volkanovski on the flip side, you know what I’m doing? I gotta humble myself,” Cejudo said. “I gotta allow my brain to heal for the next six months. I’ve been concussed. Being concussed or going through a knockout, it takes you a minute for you to really kind of start walking that straight line. So there’s two sides. Volk, take your damn time. I wouldn’t necessarily be in a rush. You’re gonna have to humble yourself. Yeah, I’m saying humble yourself because it shouldn’t be about ego or pride. It should be about winning.”

The UFC is expected to make an announcement regarding UFC 297 in the coming weeks.

Ex-UFC Champ Urges Alexander Volkanovski to Take Some Time off and Heal: ‘He’s not the same guy’

Alexander VolkanovskiFormer two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes Alexander Volkanovski may have unintentionally exposed himself following his devastating loss to Islam…

Alexander Volkanovski

Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes Alexander Volkanovski may have unintentionally exposed himself following his devastating loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294.

After narrowly dethroning the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ in their February Fight of the Year contender, Volkanovski accepted a rematch on just 11 days’ notice, stepping in for Makhachev’s originally scheduled UFC 294 opponent, Charles Oliveira. Despite the short-notice nature of the matchup, ‘The Great’ went into the bout with the utmost confidence.

Tragically, Volkanovski would come crashing back down to reality just three minutes into the contest when Islam Makhachev landed a perfectly timed head kick that spelled the end of Volkanovski’s dreams to become a dual-world champion.

Following the event, an emotional Alexander Volkanovski revealed his “struggle” to remain active inside the Octagon, even in the most unfavorable of situations.

“I put myself in his position,” Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “I think the biggest mistake that Alexander could do is share a lot of who he is as a person to the people. Why do I say that? ‘I’m going through anxieties, I need to stay busy guys, I go crazy if I don’t stay busy or if I don’t fight.’ If I’m a competitor and I’m seeing all that, especially seeing him get knocked out, you know what I’m gonna be doing? I’m gonna be picking at him.”

“If I’m Ilia [Topuria], if I know that he’s concussed, and I know that he goes crazy when he’s not fighting or he’s at home or he goes through anxiety. If I’m Ilia Topuria, you guys know what I’m thinking? I’m thinking about calling this dude out and getting him to step up still on January 20th to have a better chance of actually beating him. You see, there’s times when you’ve gotta keep things to yourself. When you don’t keep things to yourself, you start to expose yourself” (h/t MMA Mania).

Henry Cejudo Urges Volkanovski to take him time

Despite the setback in Abu Dhabi, Volkanovski remains in talks to defend his featherweight title against No. 5 ranked contender Ilia Topuria at UFC 297 on January 20 in Toronto. That would give ‘The Great’ less than three months to prepare for what could very well be the toughest test of his reign as the 145-pound champion.

“If I’m Ilia Topuria on the flip side, you know what I’m thinking? I have to pick a fight with him,” Cejudo continued. “I have to get him to fight me on January 20th because the simple fact that he’s concussed. He’s concussed, it’s not the same Alexander Volkanovski that was out here finishing all these opponents … he’s not the same guy.

“If I’m Alexander Volkanovski on the flip side, you know what I’m doing? I gotta humble myself,” Cejudo said. “I gotta allow my brain to heal for the next six months. I’ve been concussed. Being concussed or going through a knockout, it takes you a minute for you to really kind of start walking that straight line. So there’s two sides. Volk, take your damn time. I wouldn’t necessarily be in a rush. You’re gonna have to humble yourself. Yeah, I’m saying humble yourself because it shouldn’t be about ego or pride. It should be about winning.”

The UFC is expected to make an announcement regarding UFC 297 in the coming weeks.

Justin Gaethje campaigns for UFC title fight with Islam Makhachev next: ‘It’s a fresh matchup’

Justin Gaethje campaigns for title fight with Islam Makhachev it's a fresh matchup after UFC 294Former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje has once more stressed that he deserves to fight for divisional spoils against…

Justin Gaethje campaigns for title fight with Islam Makhachev it's a fresh matchup after UFC 294

Former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje has once more stressed that he deserves to fight for divisional spoils against the incumbent Islam Makhachev after UFC 294 over the course of weekend, claiming a fresh matchup with the Russian should come before a rematch with ex-titleholder, Charles Oliveira.

Gaethje, the current number two ranked lightweight contender and recently minted BMF championship holder, most recently turned in a spectacular second round win over fellow former interim champion, Dustin Poirier back in July, turning in a massive high-kick knockout win in the main event of UFC 291.

And in attendance at UFC 294 last Saturday in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Gaethje watched on as undisputed lightweight champion, Makhachev retained his crown with a blistering first round win over two-time opponent and undisputed featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski, stopping the Australian with a his own first round high-kick knockout win. 

In the immediate aftermath of Makhachev’s win, Arizona native, Gaethje claimed that he should be next to fight the former next over Oliveira, whilst acknowledging that he faces a severe challenge to defeat him.

Justin Gaethje stakes claim for fight with Islam Makhachev

And echoing those claims, Gaethje maintains that he should fight Makhachev next, claiming fans are clamoring for the bout

“I think it should absolutely [be me],” Justin Gaethje told ESPN MMA after UFC 294. “I mean, I’m number two, I knocked out (Dustin) Poirier. I mean, Charles Oliveira is ahead of me, but he obviously already lost to (Islam) Makhachev. I have not fought Makhachev, it’s a fresh matchup, a new matchup, and I think that’s what the fans are looking for.” 

“I think he [Makhachev] would have dominated Oliveira just the same,” Justin Gaethje explained. “Oliveira beat me – MMA math doesn’t work. I’ve said he’s not Khabib (Nurmagomedov), but I think he might be, so I just wanna go out there and figure it out.” (H/T MMA News)

Do you think Islam Makhachev should fight Justin Gaethje after UFC 294?

Islam Makhachev knocks Alexander Volkanovski from pound for pound perch with stunning UFC 294 title fight win

Islam Makhachev knocks Alexander Volkanovski from pound for pound list with UFC 294 knockout winOff the back of his stunning first round high-kick knockout win over featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the main…

Islam Makhachev knocks Alexander Volkanovski from pound for pound list with UFC 294 knockout win

Off the back of his stunning first round high-kick knockout win over featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 294 last weekend, Islam Makhachev has toppled the Australian from the number two spot in the official pound-for-pound rankings – however, has yet to land at number one, in place of heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones.

Featuring in the main event of UFC 294 over the course of last weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Makhachev turned in a spectacular first round win over New South Wales native, Volkanovski, dropping and stopping the featherweight titleholder with a first round left high-kick knockout win.

Islam Makhachev moves to #2 in the UFC pound-for-pound list

The victory came as Makhachev’s second on the trot against Volkanovski, who had taken the Russian the distance over the course of five rounds back in February in Perth, Australia, suffering a unanimous decision loss to the former in his first promotional defeat.

“Islam Makhachev (@MAKHACHEVMMA) moves up to No.2 in the official #UFC pound-for-pound rankings following his impressive #UFC294 victory, but Jon Jones retains the No. 1 spot,” John Morgan posted on his X account. “Alexander Volkanovski drops to No. 3 with the loss in the latest rankings update.” 

Expected to weigh up a potential welterweight move in the near future in search for a second championship reign, Makhachev has been tipped, however, to immediately share the Octagon with former titleholder, Charles Oliveira in a rescheduled rematch by UFC CEO, Dana White.

In response to White’s plans to put the two together in a title re-run, Makhachev has warned Oliveira how pursuing a rematch with him would be a massive mistake on his part.

“It’s not my job [to book my next fight],” Islam Makhachev said after UFC 294. “Dana (White) has to work on this, and I will sign the contract. Just send me the name. But in my opinion, I feel like I already had two opponents. Okay, I will beat Charles. Then who is going to be next? (Justin) Gaethje –  he will wait. I don’t think it’s a good idea. But it is what it is. If they [the UFC] say Charles, okay, If they say, Gaethje, okay. Doesn’t matter, I’ll be ready.”

Can Islam Makhachev eventually move to the top of the pound-for-pound list?

Video: Israel Adesanya Reacts to Islam Makhachev’s Brutal Head Kick KO of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294

Israel AdesanyaFormer two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was left understandly distraught after seeing his teammate, Alexander Volkanovski, go down to…

Israel Adesanya

Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was left understandly distraught after seeing his teammate, Alexander Volkanovski, go down to a vicious first-round head kick in the UFC 294 headliner.

Stepping into the Octagon to run back their February Fight of the Year contender on just 11 days’ notice, Alexander Volkanovski was as confident as ever that he could solve the puzzle that the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ presents. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be as the reigning featherweight champ succumbed to a perfectly-timed head kick three minutes into the contest.

Watching from the comfort of his home, Volkanovski’s City Kickboxing teammate Israel Adesanya was hoping to see his friend leave Abu Dhabi as a double champion. Instead, ‘The Last Stylebender’ would be left in shock after seeing Volkanovski come up short for the second-straight time against the lightweight world champion.

“F*ck. It was that left kick from southpaw,” Adesanya said in his reaction video on YouTube. “It went over the head and just clipped him. I think he caught him with it in the first fight, maybe. Still the best, bro. I love you, dude. F*ck! It was there, but it just scraped over him. F*ck.”

Coming up short of claiming his second UFC title, Alexander Volkanovski will likely return to the 145-pound division where Ilia Topuria anxiously awaits his opportunity to challenge for the featherweight championship.

Meanwhile, Israel Adesanya will continue to sit on the sidelines and enjoy some time away from the Octagon after his own devastating defeat at the hands of Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September. The loss came five months after reclaiming the belt from long-time foe Alex Pereira. The ‘Stylebender’ has not provided any sort of timeline for his return to the Octagon, but he did acknowledge that it would be “a long time” before we see him compete again.