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Israel Adesanya reveals conspiracy theory that Abu Dhabi played part in Islam Makhachev’s win at UFC 284

Undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has shed light on a conspiracy theory which has surfaced, claiming that lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev was awared a victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 back in February, due to the organization’s growing relationship with Abu Dhabi and the Middle East. Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion under the […]

Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the UFC, most recently featured at UFC 287 back in April of this year, successfully reclaiming divisional gold with a stunning second round KO win over arch-rival, Alex Pereira.

Yet to book his first attempted title defense as part of his second title reign, Israel Adesanya has been earmarked to return to the Octagon – potentially in September of this year, taking on the victor of an official title-eliminator between former champion, Robert Whittaker, and the surging Dricus du Plessis – who meet at UFC 290 next month during International Fight Week.

As for Makhachev, controversy initially surrounded his Perth, Australia win over Volkanovski back in February – with lightweight challenger, Dan Hooker accusing him of using an illegal IV to rehydrate following weigh-ins.

Israel Adesanya reveals conspiracy theory regarding UFC 284 back in February

And according to Adesanya, a conspiracy theory is doing the rounds, suggesting that it was in the best interest of the UFC for Makhachev to defeat Volkanovski ‘Down Under’, due to their growing relationship with Abu Dhabi and officials in the United Arab Emirates.

“There’s a conspiracy that Chance – my boy, Chance kind of put me on to,” Israel Adesanya said during an appearance on FLAGRANT. “Cause Volk (Alexander Volkanovski) – I was in Perth, I was right there – he’s a great fighter, you know from that side, [the] Dagestanis, they’re f*cking awesome at their wrestling and whatnot. But this guy has a myth, and Alex f*cked him up – I didn’t say this, Chance said this – I’m just paraphrasing.”

“He said like, ‘Look at the movement right now with ‘Fight Island’, Abu Dhabi, the stake that they have in the UFC, it pays them to have a champ that’s from that side of the world.’” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Alexander Volkanovski confirms he rejected UFC title rematch with Islam Makhachev: ‘I’ll get it eventually’

Undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has confirmed he rejected the opportunity to fight lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev in a rematch of their UFC 284 title showdown back in February – in a bid to remain active himself. Volkanovski, a featherweight champion under the promotion’s banner, is slated to headline UFC 290 during International Fight Week […]

Volkanovski, a featherweight champion under the promotion’s banner, is slated to headline UFC 290 during International Fight Week in July – taking on interim division champion, Yair Rodrîguez in a title unification fight.

However, featuring once already earlier this year, the Australian headlined UFC 284 in Perth on home soil, suffering his first promotional loss in the form of a unanimous decision defeat against undisputed lightweight kingpin, Makhachev.

Alexander Volkanovski reveals he rejected a rematch with Islam Makhachev

With both fighters immediately noting their interest in an immediate championship re-run at the lightweight limit, Volkanovski claims the UFC had approached him with the opportunity to fight the Russian once again, however, he elected to reject the bout agreement – with a view to remain active rather than remain sidelined.

“That’s a tricky one, because you have (Beneil) Dariush – but that rematch [with Alexander Volkanovski] needs to happen,” Alexander Volkanovski told The Mac Life during a recent interview. “We need to make that happen, so I guess it’s a tricky one, we just need to see how things go. Me, I just want to remain active – that’s the big thing for me. I’m not the one to wait around, I know I could eventually get it. But what am I going to do? Just sit around and wait until – that’s just not me.”

“I’ll get my fights and do what I’ve got to do,” Alexander Volkanovski explained. “Yeah, that rematch definitely needs to happen, we’ll make that happen. I’ll just do my thing in July [at UFC 287] and see what happens from there.”

As for Makhachev, the Russian has been linked with both a move to the welterweight limit in pursuit of a second Octagon title, however, is at least expected to return to the sport at UFC 294 in October as the promotion returns to Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Furthermore, Makhachev also expressed his interest in fighting Volkanovski in a rematch — as per his coach, Javier Mendez, who insisted the Russian was not dodging a re-run with the former.

Islam Makhachev open to UFC rematch with Alexander Volkanovski: ‘We’re not dodging nothing’

Undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev remains open to the possibilty of fighting undisputed featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski in a potential rematch of their UFC 284 back-and-forth clash back in February of this year. Headlining the flagship pay-per-view event in Perth, Australia – Islam Makhachev managed to successfully defend his undisputed lightweight crown at the […]

Headlining the flagship pay-per-view event in Perth, Australia – Islam Makhachev managed to successfully defend his undisputed lightweight crown at the first time of asking, defeating Volkanovski over the course of five rounds in a competitive unanimous decision victory.

The triumph came as Islam Makhachev’s twelfth consecutively at the lightweight limit, having previously clinched the vacant lightweight championship at UFC 280 back in October of last year in a second round arm-triangle submission win over former champion, Charles Oliveira.

As for New South Wales favorite, Volkanovski, the former pound-for-pound number one fighter is expected to headline UFC 290 in July during International Fight Week in a featherweight title unification fight against interim gold holder, Yair Rodríguez.

Islam Makhachev welcomes title rematch with Alexander Volkanovski

However, as per Makhachev’s head coach, American Kickboxing Academy staple, Javier Mendez, the Makhachkala native is open to a future championship re-run with Volkanovski in the future.

“Was it a tought fight? Hell yeah,” Javier Mendez said on the Jibber with Jaber podcast. “Was it tougher than I thought? Hell yeah. Did they gain my full respects? Hell yeah, he got my respect. But am I looking forward to the rematch, if they have one? Hell yeah. I want that rematch and I know Islam (Makhachev) wants it too. So we’re not dodging nothing.”

“If the UFC puts that match together, it’s gonna happen,” Mendez explained. “It’s gonna happen willing on both parties. They’re (Alexander Volkanovski’s team) gonna want it, we’re gonna want it and I would hope they [the UFC] would make it a huge event because that fight delivered. It was everything that was expected.”

Chael Sonnen weighs in on Islam Makhachev IV use controversy at UFC 284: ‘The nurse, she’s a scumbag’

Former undisputed UFC light heavyweight and middleweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen has branded the medical professional who is alleged to have administered an intravenous injection to lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 284 last month – a “scumbag”. Headlining UFC 284 in February, Makahchev managed to land his first successful defense of hte lightweight […]

Headlining UFC 284 in February, Makahchev managed to land his first successful defense of hte lightweight championship, defeating featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski with a unanimous decision win over the course of five competitive, back-and-forth rounds.

However, in the aftermath of the event, Makahchev was hit with accusations of using an IV in the rehydration process ahead of UFC 284 by City Kickboxing striker, Dan Hooker – while Volkanovski’s coach, Eugene Bareman remained coy on the accusations issued against Makhachev.

Chael Sonnen blasts the nurse who is alleged to have administered an IV to Islam Makhachev

Sharing his thoughts on the issue during a recent episode of Flagrant with comedian, Andrew Schulz, former UFC championship challenger, Sonnen placed the blame at the feet of the nurse who is alleged to have administered the intravenous injection to Makhachev.

“He did [use an] IV,” Chael Sonnen said of Islam Makhachev. “But I’ll just share with the world, that doesn’t mean it was a violation. Whoever this nurse is who spoke up, you know, shame on her. What a big mouth. You do that in America, they take your license away, I mean, you got hIPPA and all sorts of other stuff. This girl goes to his hotel, she juices him, and then tells the other camp when he flies out of town. That was a scumbag move, she’s acting like she’s acting like she’s the hero of this story – the whistleblower. She’s a scumbag.”

Sonnen had previously made claims that the use of an IV drip can aid the “flushing” of performance enhancing drugs from your body.

“USADA made a colossal mistake by telling people that they can’t use the IV,” Chael Sonnen explained. “Nobody understood fully that you could flush PEDs if you use an IV and USADA come out and said, ‘No more IVs.’ That was the fight that flipped on in everybody going, ‘Okay, this is how you beat ‘em’ It was a big miss by USADA.”

Islam Makhachev complains of ‘Lack of recovery time’ ahead of UFC 284 headliner last month

Islam Makhachev came out on top in his first UFC lightweight championship defense last month. Capturing the title by submitting one of the promotion’s most prolific finishers last year, Makhachev aimed high for his first title defense. Accepting the challenge of reigning 145-pound king Alexander Volkanovski, the Dagestani destroyer walked into enemy territory at UFC […]

Islam Makhachev came out on top in his first UFC lightweight championship defense last month.

Capturing the title by submitting one of the promotion’s most prolific finishers last year, Makhachev aimed high for his first title defense. Accepting the challenge of reigning 145-pound king Alexander Volkanovski, the Dagestani destroyer walked into enemy territory at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. After 25 grueling minutes, he walked out with UFC gold still wrapped around his waist.

The fight not only brought together two world champions for an epic superfight, but it also represented the first time in promotional history that the No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter competed against the No. 2 ranked competitor. Volkanovski held the top spot going into the bout, but many expected him to surrender it to Makhachev after coming up short in his bid to become a two-division titleholder. However, that was not the case as ‘The Great’ maintained his No. 1 ranking, much to the chagrin of Islam Makhachev.

“The people expect an easy fight from me,” Makhachev told TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter. “Like how I take him down, smash him there, but many things in Australia is different. All fighters wake up early morning, they don’t give us time for recovery, but Volkanovski doesn’t need time for recovery. He doesn’t cut too much weight. That’s why I know all things from his side of Australia, weather and weight, I just went to Australia and beat the champion and I don’t care if they give me the place or not. I just have my belt.

“This is most important things for the fighter. Not just cut weight, you have to recover, but they don’t give time for the recovery.”

Makhachev’s comments regarding recovery time come amidst accusations that he had hired a nurse to administer an IV to aid in his recovery following the UFC 284 weigh-ins. Volkanovski’s City Kickboxing teammate Dan Hooker made the initial allegation on Twitter shortly after the event. Makhachev has vehemently denied the claim and has called for ‘The Hangman’ to face consequences for his statement.

While IV usage is not expressly prohibited, the USADA rules stipulate that intravenous infusions and injections are prohibited both in-competition and out-of-competition if the volume of the substance exceeds 100 milliliters within a 12-hour period.

1-on-1 with @MAKHACHEVMMA on a potential rematch with Volkanovski, who is next up at lightweight and the difficulties that he had fighting in Australia. pic.twitter.com/iPrzMDHNNZ

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 5, 2023

Islam Makhachev Hopes to Fight Beneil Dariush Later This Year

Despite walking out of RAC Arena with a unanimous decision victory, many fans and fighters believe Islam Makhachev should have lost his title that evening. The close nature of the contest has left both men open to a potential rematch.

“I just showed who’s the best in the world,” Makhachev said. “It was good experience for me. If a lot of people want to see the rematch then let’s do this. Why not? Let’s go. I am ready.”

Before they can sign on the dotted line for a rematch, the two warriors may need to address rising contenders in their respective divisions. Specifically, Alexander Volkanovski who has an interim featherweight champion to settle up with. Though a rematch between the two feels inevitable, Makhachev already has his next opponent in mind, should Makhachev vs. Volkanovski II end up on the back burner.

“I hope Beniel [Dariush] beats [Charles] Oliveira,” Makhachev revealed. “We gonna make some good fight because this guy is tough because he have good skills and it’s gonna be a huge fight for the fans. I prepared for this fight a couple years ago. He beat a good opponent (Mateusz Gamrot) in his last fight. That’s why I think if he beat Charles he’s gonna deserve [the shot].”

Currently ranked No. 4 in the division, Beneil Dariush is primed for his first UFC title opportunity. Riding an eight-fight win streak, Dariush is expected to step into the Octagon at UFC 288 on May 6 for a high-stakes matchup with former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, the winner likely securing an opportunity to challenge Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound crown.

Transcription courtesy of MMA Fighting

Chael Sonnen Blasts “Scumbag” Nurse Amid Islam Makhachev I.V. Controversy

Former UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Chael Sonnen recently made some bold statements regarding Islam Makhachev. At UFC 284, Makhachev retained his UFC Lightweight Championship via unanimous decision against Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski. The main event has since become mired by controversy due to the Dagestani star’s alleged I.V. use prior to the fight. Both UFC…

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