"He’s crafty"- Israel Adesanya explains why he would "bet the house" on Alexander Volkanovski against Islam Makhachev

Israel Adesanya is willing to bet his house on Alexander Volkanovski beating Islam Makhachev at UFC 284.

Volkanovski has an opportunity to become a legend if he takes out Makhachev to become a two-division UFC champion. Although most analysts are worried about the Russian’s size advantage, Adesanya thinks the featherweight champion can win. During an episode of the Flagrant podcast with Andrew Schulz, the former UFC middleweight champion had this to say:

“Volk used to be a fat guy. Like, a big boy, brawley, played rugby. When you walk around with that kind of body mass for years, you develop a different kind of muscle density. Even with Volk, I’ve tried to hold him down. I’m not the greatest wrestler, but even with my frame and leverage, it’s hard. He finds his way back up. [He’s] a crafty veteran. His inside leg kick, his jabs, his hand control; all that sh*t, he’s crafty.”

Israel Adesanya continued by saying:

“Islam is great. These Dagi boys, they know what they’re doing… But I truly, gun to my head, could bet my whole house on him. Volk is just different. Volk is the kind of guy — even when he cuts weight, the amount he cuts, for him to have the cardio he has in the later rounds… it’s mind-blowing. The man’s different.” [Transcript provided by MMA News]

Volkanovski is the number one pound-for-pound UFC fighter, with Makhachev at number two. The Russian will defend his lightweight title for the first time in Australia at UFC 284. Only time will tell who walks away as the number one fighter on the planet.

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Israel Adesanya labels Alex Pereira rematch as ‘The hunter becomes the hunted’

Israel Adesanya’s middleweight title reign was ended at UFC 281 by Alex Pereira, who also beat ‘The Last Stylebender’ twice in kickboxing. Despite the setback, Adesanya seems to be accepting the loss well and is ready to earn the title back. During an episode of Hot Ones with Sean Evans, he had this to say about fighting Pereira again:

“It's helped me tell my own story, to be the protagonist in my own story. Be Player One in my game. Like right now, I've already seen the set up for my next storyline, 'The hunter becomes the hunted'. And certain characters in anime as well, I draw inspiration from."

The rematch between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira will be one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of 2023. If ‘The Last Stylebender’ can regain the UFC middleweight title, he will once again showcase the heart of a champion.