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Alexander Volkanovski recently revealed that he is eating over 4000 calories a day to bulk up for his UFC lightweight debut against Islam Makhachev next weekend. 'The Great' has aspirations of becoming a two-division champion in the promotion and will challenge Makhachev for the Dagestani fighter's newly acquired title in the main event of UFC 284.
Volkanovski appeared on The MMA Hour yesterday and revealed his current weight:
"About 77 kilograms. So about 170 [pounds], just over 170... [Before a featherweight fight] I would be about 73 [kilograms], 73 or 74 max."
Watch the clip below:
Alexander Volkanovski stated that he feels "twice as strong" now as he did during his featherweight title run. 'The Great' has been forced to put on more muscle in preparation for his move to 155lbs and stated during an interview with David Adesanya:
"The fact that I'm moving up and doing the bulk, telling myself, 'We need to get stronger, we need to work on the takedown defense.' All of a sudden I'm twice as strong as I was, my defense is on point. I'm like an absolute brick wall when people are trying to run into me."
Watch the interview below from 2:30:
The main talking point surrounding this fight is whether or not Volkanovski will be able to keep the fight on the feet. Islam Makhachev is an exceptional grappler and has been labeled 'Khabib Nurmagomedov 2.0' by his coaches and teammates.
But 'The Great' appears confident that even if he is taken down at UFC 284, he will be able to stand back up, which is something not many of Makhachev's previous opponents have been able to do.
Alexander Volkanovski comments on Khabib Nurmagomedov's absence from UFC 284
Alexander Volkanovski recently commented on Khabib Nurmagomedov's decision to retire from MMA entirely just weeks before his childhood friend and teammate Islam Makhachev attempts to defend his title for the first time.
'The Eagle' took up the role of a coach at the American Kickboxing Academy following his retirement from fighting in 2020 and achieved great success cornering his fighters. But several weeks ago, it was confirmed that he would be stepping away from MMA entirely to spend more time with his family.
Alexander Volkanovski shared his thoughts on the decision and stated that he doesn't want Nurmagomedov's absence to be used as an excuse after he defeats Islam Makhachev. Volkanovski told The MMA Hour:
"I was [surprised] at the start, but Islam's still gonna turn up... So again, when my hand gets raised, don't be f***ing, you know what I mean? These ain't excuses."
Watch the clip below:
