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Alexander Volkanovski will be taking on Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 284 on February 11.
Makhachev was crowned champion after a dominant performance against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 last October. The Dagestani illustrated superior grappling skills and submitted 'Do Bronx' in round two.
Many believe that Makhachev's size advantage, coupled with his immense grappling prowess, will be too much for Volkanovski to overcome when they meet in Perth. But according to the Australian's head coach Joe Lopez, it will actually work in his favor.
Lopez recently spoke to Submission Radio to preview the upcoming clash, and said this:
"His size, [will be his biggest strength] you know. He's small, he's got very short legs, so it's very hard to hold him down. He's got a lower center of gravity. These things that people think are going against [Volkanovski] are actually advantages for him... Those short limbs make it very, very hard to hold him and do things to him."
Watch the interview below:
Alexander Volkanovski is currently riding a staggering 22-fight win streak and has never been defeated in the UFC. Islam Makhachev, meanwhile, is on an impressive 11-fight winning run/
The UFC 284 main event will see the No.1 and No.2-ranked pound-for-pound fighters in the promotion go head-to-head.
Alexander Volkanovski opens up on how opponents have often underestimated him
Alexander Volkanovski will be taking on Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 284. The size disparity between the two has become a talking point ahead of the bout.
'The Great' is considered to be a short fighter for 145 pounds, let alone for the 155-pound division, which he'll be competing in come February 11. Volkanovski recently opened up about how opponents in the past have undestimated him, as he alluded to Islam Makhachev smirking during their face to face interaction at UFC 280.
'The Great' noted the change in demeanor he observes in his opponents once they begin the fight, as they realize that the difference in height won't help them.
During an interview with David Adesanya, brother of former champion Israel, Alexander Volkanovski said:
"You could see in [Islam's] face looking like, 'Ah yeah this guy isn't too big.' And I've seen that on plenty of people's faces, I've seen that in a lot of my previous fights, my last four or five fights. But that face quickly changes as soon as I'm in front of them in the octagon. Give me 10 seconds with them, their face changes real quick."
Watch the interview below:
