Alexander Volkanovski Islam Makhachev; when is the fight, Kamaru Usman prediction, pound for pound, Israel Adesanya،
Former world champion Kamaru Usman is backing Alexander Volkanovski in his bold second attempt to become a two-time UFC champion – while also suggesting the Australian’s great rival Islam Makhachev should be ranked ahead of him in the pound-for-pound rankings .
Speaking to Fox Sports Australia in Abu Dhabi this week, Usman also revealed that he himself would never have fought at UFC 294 this Sunday if Israel Adesanya was still middleweight champion.
UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 | SUN 22 OCT 5am AEDT | Order now with the Main Event on Kayo Sports
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In one of the most daring games in Australian fighting history, Volkanovski moves up a weight class on 11 days’ notice to try to become only the fifth fighter in UFC history to get the “champion” status.
Last February, the UFC featherweight champion suffered a close decision defeat in his first attempt at greatness against Makhachev, with Usman once again tipping the Dagestani who “is a handful right now.”
In fact, the former UFC welterweight champion suggested Volkanovski should pull off an upset equivalent to England’s Leon Edwards taking his own belt with that famous 2022 head kick.
Usman himself was parachuted in as a late replacement to face Khamzat Chimaev at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, with the winner then guaranteed a chance against Sean Strickland, the new middleweight champion.
Asked for a general prediction, Usman said: “I think it’s Islam.
“I think he’s getting through it.
“This guy is so difficult right now.
“But the greatest thing about this business is that anything can happen at any time.
“They saw me lose the belt. Who expected this?
“So anything can happen.
“That being said, I really think Islam has all the tools. »
So where should Volkanovski stand in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings, given that he currently shares the top spot alongside UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones – with Makhachev third.
“I have to say Jon is number one,” he said.
“Simply because the guy has never really lost.
“So Jon Jones is number one until he retires.
“Next, Islam, but there’s really a thin margin between it and Volk.
“This is one you could trade any day.”
Elsewhere, Usman revealed he wouldn’t have accepted Sunday’s late call-up – and a potential middleweight title shot – if Adesanya was still king of the division.
That title changed hands in Sydney only last month, when Strickland scored a surprise victory.
Makhachev downplays ‘big drama’ over IV | 01:27
Asked if he was in Abu Dhabi this week if Adesanya, who like him has Nigerian heritage, was still ruling, Usman replied: “Probably not, no.
“I believe Izzy is still the best middleweight out there.
“But while he’s taking a break, why not keep his belt warm.”
So what happens if you win middleweight gold?
“I’m taking that welterweight belt first,” he said of his former crown.
“Get that “champion champion” status
“I’ll sign off on that first, then I’ll probably give up the middleweight belt.”
So never fight Adesanya?
“No,” he replied.
Attempt to intimidate Islam fails | 00:40
“There are things greater than money.
“And that would be the only reason we were fighting, a huge amount of money.
“And it would be for a huge amount of money.”
“But for me, it’s bigger than that.
“Bigger than sport.
“Culturally, we did something that had never been done before.
“And I want to keep it that way.”
“We did something bigger than this sport or this entertainment.
“As I said before, having two Nigerians with belts is more important to me than one Nigerian with two belts.”
