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Fans are all saying the same thing after video emerges of Volkanovski and Makhachev hitting pads

Fans are all saying the same thing after video emerges of Volkanovski and Makhachev hitting pads

Some fans are worried for the champ.

Footage has emerged of Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev hitting pads ahead of their title fight at UFC 284 in Perth.

And upon seeing the contrasting clips, fans are all saying the same thing.

Featherweight and pound-for-pound king Volkanovski is looking to make history this weekend, jumping up a weight division to take on 155-pound champion Makhachev.

If successful in his quest, the Aussie would join an elite club of fighters who have held two UFC belts simultaneously.

And to make matters even more interesting, Volkanovski will be fighting in his own backyard too.

Ahead of the event, the UFC held an open workout in Perth for fans and media to attend.

Both fighters worked on some ground game as well as their striking as people watched on eagerly.

But it was when the pair were hitting pads that viewers really noticed the stark contrast in their abilities.

For Volkanovski, he looked crisp and sharp, throwing together technical combinations that were not only rapid but also powerful.

As for Makhachev, a wrestler by trade, he didn't look as slick.

While his striking was still sound, he wasn't nearly as devastating with his punches as Volkanovski was.

Popular social media account 'Spinning Backfist' posted a comparison video of the two in action onto Twitter, captioning it: "Difference between striking pads with Volk & Islam is pretty wide."

One person commented: "It’s not even close."

While another added: "Volk is Advanced. Islam is still learning the basics."

As a third said: "A striker vs a wrestler. Shocked that the striker looks better on the pads."

And a fourth chimed in, assessing: "Volk’s faints and rhythm changes are awesome, and give him an advantage on the feet against anyone he faces."

But given Makhachev's elite wrestling, others didn't seem too concerned for him.

A fan replied: "Big difference in the grappling too though!"

As another said: "Can't use that striking if you cant keep the fight standing."

While a third added: "Remember when y’all did this comparison with Charles Oliveira and Islam? Then Charles got dropped and finished?"

While many have criticised the Dagestani's striking in the past, Volkanovski himself took a different approach, describing his opponent as 'calculated'.

“He’s a very calculated fighter,” Volkanovski told reporters.

“He doesn’t take unnecessary risks. Him coming looking for a knockout, that’s an unnecessary risk. He won’t be doing that.”

He added: “He doesn’t overcommit too much. He does sometimes, but he will fight on the back foot and wait for the right time to shoot and things like that. His distance game isn’t too bad. So little things like that he does well. Like I said, he’s calculated.”

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@SpinninBackfist

Topics: MMA, UFC, Alexander Volkanoski, Australia