Islam Makhachev, the reigning lightweight champion in the UFC, accepted a rematch against Alexander Volkanvski without hesitation, stating that a true champion should never turn down a fight no matter the circumstances, in contrast to Jon Jones who declined a short notice fight in the past.
Islam Makhachev showed no hesitation when he received the news that Charles Oliveira had pulled out of their UFC 294 fight and he would instead be facing Alexander Volkanvski. The lightweight champion immediately accepted the challenge, prompting praise from UFC CEO Dana White. Makhachev’s response exemplified his mindset as a true champion, stating that it doesn’t matter who his opponent is, as being the best in the world means accepting all challenges. This was a direct contrast to Jon Jones’ infamous refusal to fight Chael Sonnen on short notice, a decision that was heavily criticized by White.
Impressed by Makhachev’s champion mentality, White decided to immortalize his quote by displaying it at the UFC APEX and the UFC Performance Institute. Makhachev made it clear that he would always step up to a challenge, especially when the UFC comes calling. He also didn’t shy away from responding to Volkanovski’s remarks that he wouldn’t accept a fight on short notice. Makhachev accused Volkanovski of only chasing money and not taking risks, highlighting his own commitment to competing regardless of circumstances.
While Makhachev acknowledged that there may be less pressure on Volkanovski since no one expects him to win, he remained confident in his abilities as a champion. He brushed off the notion that rankings determine his worth, as he believes they are arbitrary and unreliable. Despite beating Volkanovski in their previous encounter, Makhachev found himself ranked below him and Jones. This discrepancy led him to dismiss the significance of rankings and focus solely on his performance in the Octagon.
Ultimately, if Makhachev secures another victory over Volkanovski, it could solidify his standing as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. While this accolade mattered to him in the past, he no longer pays attention to rankings, as he questions their validity. Makhachev firmly believes that his performances should speak for themselves, rather than relying on arbitrary rankings to define his worth as a fighter.