Alexander Volkanovski-Islam Makhachev ‘shut’ for UFC 284

NEW YORK — A superfight between two UFC champions is “shut,” in accordance with Alexander Volkanovski.

The featherweight champion advised ESPN {that a} bout towards light-weight champion Islam Makhachev is nearing completion for UFC 284 on Feb. 12 in Perth, Western Australia.

Volkanovski, who hails from Australia, was referred to as into the Octagon after Makhachev beat Charles Oliveira to win the title final month at UFC 280.

“We’re clearly pushing for it,” Volkanovski stated. “Everybody desires it. We’re gonna make it occur.”

Volkanovski is ESPN’s top-ranked pound-for-pound MMA fighter, whereas Makhachev is No. 3.

The larger Makhachev, nonetheless, will seemingly be favored on account of his dominant wrestling and grappling acumen.

“It is gonna be like a David and Goliath, as a result of everybody thinks he is the strongest man on the planet, finest grappling anybody has ever seen,” Volkanovski stated. “The best way they’re speaking about him — it is simply gonna look unimaginable once I get the job achieved.”

Volkanovski, who stated he’s already consuming 4,000 energy per day in preparation to transferring up in weight, has the prospect to be solely the second fighter in UFC historical past to carry the light-weight and featherweight titles concurrently, becoming a member of Conor McGregor.

Volkanovski stated a bout between he and McGregor may very well be within the offing sooner or later, as effectively.

“That is subsequent then, proper?” Volkanovski stated. “Let’s make that occur after that. … There’s solely been 4 champions within the featherweight division. The one one I have not fought is Conor McGregor.

“I can beat that man, too.”