"They don't understand"– Israel Adesanya claims Islam Makhachev "ain't ready" to deal with Alexander Volkanovski inside the octagon

Israel Adesanya believes Islam Makhachev should be wary of Alexander Volkanovski. Makhachev called out Volkanovski after defeating Charles Oliveira in the main event at UFC 280. For his first title defense, the newly crowned lightweight champion called out 'The Great', who was in attendance for the event.

However, Adesanya, who is Volkanovski's training partner at City Kickboxing, believes Makhachev is not yet ready for a clash against the UFC featherweight champion. Reacting to Makhachev's call-out, 'The Last Stylebender' said on his YouTube channel:

"He [Makhachev] ain't ready bro. They don't understand. They don't understand."

Catch Israel Adesanya's reaction to Islam Makhachev's call-out (7:58) below:

Alexander Volkanovski was the back-up fighter for the UFC 280 lightweight title clash between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. While his services ultimately weren't required, he seemingly won't have to wait much longer for his UFC lightweight debut.

Makhachev is now targeting a fight against Volkanovski in Perth to establish himself as the pound-for-pound king. 'The Great' even entered the octagon during Makhachev's post-fight interview to promote their future potential clash.

UFC president Dana White also confirmed that Volkanovski appears to be the next challenger for the lightweight title.

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Coach claims even lightweights feel it when Alexander Volkanovski grabs them

With his scorching championship reign thus far, including three wins over former titleholder Max Holloway, Alexander Volkanovski has established himself as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. 'The Great' is now eyeing a move up to lightweight in a bid to become double champion.

Speaking about Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev as potential future opponents, Volkanovski's coach Eugene Bareman deemed 'do Bronx' to be more of a threat owing to his well-rounded skillset. According to Bareman, Makhachev's stifling grappling might not pose a problem for Volkanovski as the featherweight champion is tremendously powerful for someone of his stature.

According to the CKB head coach, lightweights, middleweights and even light heavyweights struggle against Volkanovski's strength. Bareman said in an earlier interview with Submission Radio:

“Every single person, doesn’t matter who you are, what experience you have, he grabs you and you feel something different. It’s a different feeling from anything that I’ve ever felt from someone of that stature. And I think the lightweight guys still feel that."

Bareman added:

"Look, I got middleweights and light heavyweights that feel it. They’re like, ‘f***** hell.' They’re really surprised when Alex grabs them. And you’re talking about guys like two or three divisions up from him. Lightweight’s only one division above him. So, I think you’d see the same Alex, just that strength and that raw physicalness that he brings.”

Catch Eugene Bareman's comments on Alexander Volkanovski's strength (13:33) below: