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Alexander Volkanovski assured combat with Islam Makhachev volition hap (1:49)
Alexander Volkanovski tells Marc Raimondi that a combat betwixt him and Islam Makhachev astatine UFC 284 is "close". (1:49)
10:24 AM ET
Marc RaimondiESPN Staff Writer
NEW YORK -- A superfight betwixt 2 UFC champions is "close," according to Alexander Volkanovski.
The featherweight champion told ESPN that a bout against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is nearing completion for UFC 284 connected Feb. 12 successful Perth, Australia.
Volkanovski, who hails from Australia, was called into the Octagon aft Makhachev bushed Charles Oliveira to triumph the rubric past period astatine UFC 280.
"We're evidently pushing for it," Volkanovski said. "Everyone wants it. We're going to marque it happen."
Volkanovski is ESPN's top-ranked pound-for-pound MMA fighter, portion Makhachev is No. 3.
The bigger Makhachev, however, volition apt beryllium favored due to the fact that of his ascendant wrestling and grappling acumen.
"It's going to beryllium similar a David and Goliath, due to the fact that everyone thinks he's the strongest antheral connected the planet, champion grappling anyone has ever seen," Volkanovski said. "The mode they're talking astir him -- it's conscionable going to look unthinkable erstwhile I get the occupation done."
Volkanovski, who said helium is already eating 4,000 calories a time successful mentation for moving up successful weight, has the accidental to beryllium lone the 2nd combatant successful UFC past to clasp the lightweight and featherweight titles simultaneously, joining Conor McGregor.
Volkanovski said a bout betwixt helium and McGregor could beryllium successful the offing successful the future, arsenic well.
"That's adjacent then, right?" Volkanovski said. "Let's marque that hap aft that. ... There's lone been 4 champions successful the featherweight division. The lone 1 I haven't fought is Conor McGregor.
"I tin bushed that guy, too."
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