Morning Report: Alexander Volkanovski rejects Islam Makhachev at UFC 280: ‘He doesn’t make too many mistakes’

Alexander Volkanovski has been keeping a close eye on the upcoming lightweight title tilt.

The current UFC Featherweight Champion will be used as a back-up fighter should anything go wrong at UFC 280. The main event has the vacant £155 crown at stake when former champion Charles Oliveira finally takes on rising top contender Islam Makhachev.

On weigh-in day, Volkanovski will step on the scale to reach the lightweight barrier, whether he fights or not. Ideally Volkanovski habit will fight that night, which will see him appear to face off against the winner on his next timeout earlier this week, according to UFC President Dana White earlier this week.

As prepared as they come, the current pound-for-pound great has analyzed both top contenders ahead of a showdown with either and has a prediction for the victor.

“Obviously I’ve studied these guys, so I kind of know how this is going to go and how I’m going to approach it, but how is Charles going to approach it? How will Islam approach Charles?” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “We don’t know, but I think if I had to lean towards anyone, it would have to be Islam.

“No disrespect to Charles because Charles has proven himself, but I think maybe stylistically I see it that way. Either late finish, whether kimura, armbar, arm triangle, that sort of thing, or decision. And of course you never know if I’ll have to step in. As I always say, you know I’m a safe bet.”

Oliveira enters the fight still considered by most to be the champion of the division. Unfortunately for “Do Bronx,” he officially lost the title on the scales during his last appearance for UFC 274 in May, when he lost half a pound in weight. Regardless, he defeated Justin Gaethje in thrilling fashion and, after some chaotic exchanges, found a rear-naked choke on round one.

The expectation for Oliveira vs. Makhachev is that they will inevitably hit the mat as both are outstanding grapplers in very different ways. However, in Makhachev’s 23-fight career, the odds have been limited up to this point and Volkanovski believes this will set the Dagestani native apart in the matchup.

“Charles is the underdog as a champion,” Volkanovski said. “He’s obviously proven himself, but I can still see why he might be the underdog. A lot of people think that’s disrespectful, I don’t think it is. I think maybe they’re just looking for Islam to control him, right?

“To be honest, I think the control of Islam, the way it approaches grappling, is all about control. Controlling the legs, controlling the hips, climbing, staying heavy, putting him in certain positions and then slowly moving into better positions, wearing him down that way. [He] don’t make too many mistakes.”

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Violent. Jiri Prochazka went into a dark room without food for 3 days to confront “demons” and train his mind

Problem. Ilir Latifi is temporarily suspended by the Nevada Commission after it was revealed he was battling a staph infection

hype. Dana White compares UFC 280 to Sean O’Malley’s Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo moment

Beef. TJ Dillashaw: Aljamain Sterling’s PED allegations show he’s already making excuses for losing at UFC 280

Strange. Dana White’s Power Slap League Receives Nevada Commission Approval, First Event Scheduled for Late 2022

Finished. Javier Mendez says Khabib Nurmagomedov “has settled down as a coach” his fighting days are definitely over

Movie. Rose Namajuna’s documentary heads to the Austin Film Festival ahead of its UFC Fight Pass debut

Fight. Petr Yan: Beating Sean O’Malley at UFC 280 ‘should guarantee me next title shot’

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MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck chats with TJ Dillashaw.

UFC 280 embedded 2.

Yan vs. O’Malley preview.

O’Malley hype.

Oliveira vs. Makhachev preview.

Dillashaw on the perfect knockout.

RIZIN Confessions 108.

Michael Chandler unfiltered.

Topnoi Tiger Muay Thai.

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Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Frankie Edgar and Beneil Dariush.

damn morning MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses whether a Sean O’Malley title fight is guaranteed with a UFC 280 win over Petr Yan?

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UFC 280 boys.

Merabhandled.

Afraid of the wrestler…?

speed kills.

Wild.

Shredasha…

Congratulations!

Prince.

Moreno sighting.

More like Wholeslam.

Bound as light as a feather.

flashback.

No apologies now.

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Lauren Murphy (16-5) vs. Jessica Andrade (23-9); UFC 283, Jan. 21

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It’s a relatively small detail to emphasize in the control factor, but I think that could be a big one by Volk. Surely he knows better than most. I still have to prefer Olives but can’t wait to see how things change.

Thank you for reading!

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