Perth – For UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev defending his title against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 on Saturday night is about more than just retaining his belt.
“If I just defend my belt…it’s not same you know. If I beat Volkanovski I’m going to be pound for pound best fighter in the world. This is my dream,” Makhachev told reporters on Wednesday.
“That’s why we called Alex (out).”
Makhachev (23-1) is looking to be recognized as the best fighter on the planet. It’s not like he doesn’t already believe that he is. It’s that the rankings don’t show it…yet.
“I believe he (Volkanovski) is best fighter in the world right now in the rankings of course, but I know I’m the best MMA fighter because I have all skills. Striking, wrestling, grappling, I’m best MMA fighter I believe,” he said.
Volkanovski (25-1) called Makhachev out to fight following the latter’s title win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. That is a considerable change of pace for Makhachev who has been avoided by most of the division.
“You know the game is changed when I take the belt. Now the people all fighters know my name. Before they tried to avoid me, but for him you know it’s good fight. What he going to lose,” Makhachev said.
He has a point since his title is on the line at UFC 284, but win or lose Volkanovski will remain the featherweight champion.
“Belt? Nothing. He just come to the fight, make money, but after that fight he can (go back to) his division and be their champion. He not losing much from this fight,” said Makhachev.
For being such a big fight, two champions facing off in the main event, many including Makhachev have criticized the UFC’s efforts to get the word out about the PPV. According to Makhachev UFC president Dana White contacted him about his remarks on the promotion of the card.
“You know I say something in the media. Dana send me message and show me all the rankings, all the like, all the stuff how they promote, how they sell. Now I understand because I don’t follow this game,” Makhachev said.
“Dana say PPV is high. It’s going to be maybe number 2,3.”
As far as his fight this weekend is concerned Makhachev stated his goal for the fight.
“Every second I’m going to try to finish him,” he said.
“My goal…I want to knock him out.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Islam Makhachev above. Makhachev takes on UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski for the lightweight title at UFC 284 on Saturday night.
