![Islam Makhachev (left), Ali Abdelaziz (center), and Alexander Volkanovski (right). [Images courtesy: left image via ufc.com and center and right images from Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/12/0e3a0-16723191280301-1920.jpg)
![Islam Makhachev (left), Ali Abdelaziz (center), and Alexander Volkanovski (right). [Images courtesy: left image via ufc.com and center and right images from Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABhAAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABxAAAgIBBAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMCBBEABRITBiEHFEIBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGEQACAQUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwEABBESUSL/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AIdQZ8XV90G2VfH3U2VjBdQpWufdiBBa9jjOQbOXEkgEDHrVwmrxnlL7VW8x+T2z7Kx5T/RyUZ9nTTQ9w5oCrU5jz3tVIKVL3joOBLERjlf/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Alexander Volkanovski is set to be Islam Makhachev's first challenger in the Dagestani's reign as lightweight champion. The two champions will face off at UFC 284 at the RAC Arena in Perth on the promotion's return to Australia.
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Makhachev called out the featherweight champion right after his win against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. He challenged him to a fight on the Aussie's home turf and staked a claim to the top pound-for-pound spot.
Makhachev's long-time agent and Dominance MMA founder, Ali Abdelaziz, has a history of involving himself in the buildup to his clients' fights. He took to Twitter to warn 'Volk' about what he is getting himself into against his Dagestan-born opponent.
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Abdelaziz mentioned Islam Makhachev's background and training in the mountains as something that sets him apart from other mixed martial artists:
"Alexander Volkanovski he keeps talking about he’s gonna be ready we know that because he’s a real champion people from the mountain caucus built different you have to go live there, 20 years to be ready February 11 @MAKHACHEVMMA approve why he is the pound for pound king"
Check out Ali Abdelaziz's tweet below:
Alexander Volkanovski outlines his preparations ahead of fight against Islam Makhachev
Alexander Volkanovski stands a chance of becoming a double champ against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. The Australian fighter has dominated the featherweight division and cleaned out all the top contenders.
For 2023, 'The Great' wants to reach newer levels by moving up a weight class. He said in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel:
"Islam's strong. Islam's going to be ready. But I guarantee you, mark my words – I'm going to be ready. I'm going to be more than ready. I'm going to be fit. I'm going to be stronger than ever. I'm already filling up. I'm already holding more muscle than I originally did in my last few fights. I'm already stronger, significantly stronger."
Volkanovski also assured fans that 2023 will be the defining year of his career:
"When I'm telling you 2023 is gonna be the biggest year of my whole career, my legacy – this is the defining year. 2023, it starts off with taking out Islam. Big opportunity to not only be great but to be one of the greatest. So, that's what I'm coming for."
Check out his full comments on his YouTube channel below:
