'%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,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Alexander Volkanovski's coach Frank Hickman recently discussed how the featherweight would fare against Islam Makhachev in terms of wrestling.
'The Great' recently announced that he will be the backup fighter for the lightweight title clash between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev at the main event of UFC 280. The event is scheduled for October 22 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
After the announcement, many fans started speculating how Alexander Volkanovski's would fare against Makhachev's Sambo-style wrestling. Volkanovski's coach Frank Hickman recently chimed into the debate in an interview with Submission Radio.
Although Hickman acknowledged Dagestani's exceptional wrestling abilities, he asserted that Volkanovski was the only fighter capable of defeating Makhachev in a wrestling bout:
"I think Alex's wrestling will match up well with Islam... He [Islam Makhachev] is Dagestani...the level of wrestling that they have out there and the tradition that they have you know at the world Olympic level is incredible...But Alex has you know really good wrestling. Sometimes he doesn't really show it in his fights but he is always training in wrestling, he's always grappling, he is always fit for that grappling in those positions."
He continued:
" So, Islam is very good at what he does. He has an incredible threat for anybody but you know defending and also...managing his wrestling of Islam is a tough and difficult task. But I reckon if anybody could do it, it would be Alex."
You can check out Hickman's full interview with Submission Radio below:
Chael Sonnen chimes in on his thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski moving up to the 155lbs division
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has expressed interest in moving up to the lightweight division. The fighter recently took to his Twitter account to announce being confirmed as the official backup fighter for the upcoming lightweight title fight at UFC 280.
Appearing on a recent edition of his Beyond The Fight podcast, UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen provided his opinion on the Australian fighter stepping up a division.
According to 'The Bad Guy', the fact that 'The Great' is still not booked for any match at featherweight might be an indication that a potential move to 155 lbs is being considered.
Speaking on the matter, the former UFC fighter said:
"I'm also not sure we're moving on past the opportunity of Volkanovski, right. If we were then either Josh Emmett or Yair Rodriguez would have already been matched up with Volkanovski, who says he is ready, willing and able. The fact that we haven't made a title fight for Volkanovski at his weight tells me that someone somewhere is at least open to the idea of Volk coming up."
Check out Chael Sonnen's discussion of Alexander Volkanovski and his potential move to lightweight:
