Alexander Volkanovski Islam Makhachev; when is the fight, Kamaru Usman prediction, pound for pound, Israel Adesanya\u060c<\/p>\n
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 .<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/a>UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 | SUN 22 OCT 5am AEDT | Order now with the Main Event on Kayo Sports<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Why Volk is \u201chappy\u201d about his loss to Islam | 01:24<\/p>\n LEARN MORE<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t look happy\u201d: Volk talks about rival\u2019s attempted intimidation \u2014 UFC 294 Guide<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n ‘Fucking cowards’: Volkanovski spray as cheating allegations upend UFC title fight<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n 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 \u201cchampion\u201d status.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Asked for a general prediction, Usman said: \u201cI think it\u2019s Islam.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s getting through it.<\/p>\n \u201cThis guy is so difficult right now.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the greatest thing about this business is that anything can happen at any time.<\/p>\n \u201cThey saw me lose the belt. Who expected this?<\/p>\n \u201cSo anything can happen.<\/p>\n \u201cThat being said, I really think Islam has all the tools. \u00bb<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 with Makhachev third.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to say Jon is number one,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cSimply because the guy has never really lost.<\/p>\n \u201cSo Jon Jones is number one until he retires.<\/p>\n \u201cNext, Islam, but there’s really a thin margin between it and Volk.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is one you could trade any day.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n That title changed hands in Sydney only last month, when Strickland scored a surprise victory.<\/p>\n Makhachev downplays ‘big drama’ over IV | 01:27<\/p>\n Asked if he was in Abu Dhabi this week<\/a> if Adesanya, who like him has Nigerian heritage, was still ruling, Usman replied: \u201cProbably not, no.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe Izzy is still the best middleweight out there.<\/p>\n \u201cBut while he\u2019s taking a break, why not keep his belt warm.\u201d<\/p>\n