Alexander Volkanovski is a tough man to knock out.
But that’s exactly what Islam Makachev aims to do at UFC 284.
It is one of the biggest MMA bouts in recent history, the current UFC lightweight champion going up against the current UFC featherweight champion.
The lightweight championship on the line and the pound-for-pound number-one ranking on the line.
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Makachev will be stepping into enemy territory in Perth with hoards of Aussies hoping Volk can become just the fifth double champion in UFC history.
But the Russian isn’t planning on making it easy for him, in fact, he plans on silencing the Perth crowd in swift fashion.
Makhachev’s strengths as a grappler and wrestler mean a lot of people are expecting a tough matchup for the Australian.
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However, Khabib’s protege wants to shock the world with a knockout blow.
He told ESPN: “Honestly, I want to knock him out.
“Everybody says Islam is a grappler or wrestler, but I want to show people my striking.
“He is a short guy, and I really believe I can knock him out.”
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It won’t be an easy feat, however.
The featherweight king has only ever suffered one loss in his MMA career, coming in a TKO loss to Corey Nelson in AFC.
Since joining UFC in 2016 Volk has yet to lose and hasn’t lost altogether since 2013.
He’s rattled off 22 consecutive wins in the process.
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However, Makhachev believes he has the edge and that the step up to a new division will be too much for Volkanovski.
He continued: “This is not his area.
“I’m from other division. This is not the same power. It’s not the same, and he’s going to understand this, but he wants to try because he’s not losing.
“If he loses, what is he going to lose? Just belt with him, but he wants to try and jump and make some good money, make some pay-per-view money, but this is not his area.”
Topics: Australia, UFC, Alexander Volkanoski, MMA
Jayden Collins