The absence of Nurmagomedov, training camps in the mountains and the help of Russians Volkanovski: what is being discussed a month before Makhachev's fight at UFC 284

Mountain training and unexpected sparring partners

In less than a month, Islam Makhachev will make his first UFC lightweight title defense.

At UFC 284 in Perth, he will fight against the strongest fighter of the promotion, regardless of categories, Alexander Volkanovski, and if successful, he will not only lead the Pound-for-Pound rating, but will also approach the division record for the duration of the winning streak.

The Russian has not lost in ten fights in a row and is second only to Charles Oliveira (11), Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov (both 12 each).

Currently, Makhachev continues to intensively prepare for one of the most important fights in his career.

And although there is not much time left before him, the athlete is in no hurry to move to Australia.

Based on messages on social networks, it can be concluded that at the moment he is in the Elbrus region, where he trains with his Eagles MMA teammates.

At the same time, Islam himself indicated the base on Mount Everest as a location, which confused his subscribers.

“We need to stock up on oxygen for five rounds,” Makhachev accompanied this post.

In particular, many Russian stars of mixed martial arts are present at the training camp with him, including the winner of the PFL-2021 Grand Prix Movlid Khaibulaev and UFC flyweight fighter Tagir Ulanbekov, who spoke about Makhachev's diet during the training camp.

So, among the products and dishes used by the champions were steak, eggs, red caviar, various kinds of soups and vegetables.

At the same time, Islam itself especially singled out garlic, which helps prevent colds.

In turn, Volkanovski is also in no hurry to go home.

At the moment, he is training in the Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA hall in Thailand, where two Russians help him at once.

We are talking about the current Bellator fighter Khasan Askhabov and Mairbek Taysumov, known for his performances in the UFC.

As the Australian mentor Frank Hickman said, in terms of wrestling, he resembles Makhachev.

At the same time, in the course of training, Alexander pays special attention to the clinch at the net, in which his future opponent’s teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov was especially good.

New responsibilities

In connection with recent events, the ex-champion of the Absolute Fighting Championship is being discussed no less than the fight itself between Makhachev and Volkanovski.

Orel's decision to limit his work with the team and spend more time with his family caused a huge uproar in the community and led to a change in the balance of power within the team.

As Umar Nurmagomedov said, in the absence of Khabib, Islam became the flagship.

“Now this responsibility falls on Islam Makhachev.

Since he is the UFC champion and now he will carry the leadership in the team.

This is his burden.

Khabib is actually quite a tough mentor, he does not forgive absenteeism - you have to train stably, but the team is already all professionals, everyone performs at the highest level, and there is no one who needs to be driven from under pressure.

Everyone knows what he wants, what he is going for, and therefore everything is preserved in the team.

The only thing is that Khabib will spend more time at home, take care of himself and his family, ”Sport24 quotes Umar.

Until February, one of the main intrigues will be whether Nurmagomedov will join Makhachev in Perth.

After the end of his career, he accompanied his comrade-in-arms in all his fights, however, in a duel with Volkanovski, he may not be among the Russians' seconds.

Such a development of events did not rule out his former mentor Javier Mendez, and the manager Rizvan Magomedov agrees with him.

“I think that he (Khabib. -

) made it clear and it was such a balanced decision that he approached for a long time.

There is no need to look for any behind-the-scenes reasons or radical incidents there.

He just came to this.

He ended his career in 2020 but travels during training camps during fights.

Out of 12 months, he is absent from home for ten, constantly on these trips.

And he came to such a decision that it was time to spend time with his family, devote time to children.

And, most likely, he will miss this fight (Makhacheva with Volkanovski), yes, ”said the representative of Orel “Match TV”.

At the same time, not everyone believes that Nurmagomedov's absence can affect Makhachev's performance in the battle with Volkanovski.

Among them is UFC commentator John Anik, in whose opinion this circumstance will not be of paramount importance.

Indeed, according to him, the unifying force in the team is not Khabib, but his ex-mentor, the head of the American Kickboxing Academy hall, Javier Mendez.

Hooker's respect and Poirier's faith

Apparently, these possible difficulties do not make Makhachev and other MMA star fighters doubt.

According to ex-UFC champion in two weight categories Daniel Cormier, Volkanovski has very little chance of defeating a more physically powerful opponent, and even possessing such a set of skills.

And if Alexander manages to present a sensation and take over, he will become the creator of the main upset in the history of mixed martial arts.

Doubts about the prospects of the Australian and featherweight fighter Dan Ige.

In his opinion, for Volkanovski, the battle with Makhachev promises to be very difficult, especially if he decides to arrange a cabin in the rack with Makhachev.

“He shouldn't… I can't say don't trade because it's necessary to win.

Volkanovski just needs to be creative.

Combine different techniques, apply single blows.

That's the only way to win... Unless he manages to hit a lucky punch... But I don't even want to call it that.

It’s more likely to strike an accurate blow, but it’s difficult to do it, ”SportsKeeda quotes Ige.

At the same time, former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier believes that Volkanovski is capable of shocking the MMA world.

After all, earlier he had already prevailed over opponents who were noticeably superior to him in anthropometry, and also possessed great skill.

“I think Islam will win, but I don’t know for sure.

He will be bigger.

Since Alex has a low center of gravity, it can be difficult for him to get close to him ... He may be able to knock him down or pin him to the net.

I know that Volkanovski used to bulk up.

In previous years, he weighed more ... But to go against Makhachev, and even at 70 kilograms, there will definitely be some difference here.

Here everything will be decided by percussion technique.

In my opinion, opponents are unlikely to be on the ground for a long time, unless Islam manages to transfer Alexander there and stay on top.

But it seems to me that it will be difficult for him to do this against Volkanovski, ”Poirier said in an interview with The Bloody Elbow.

In turn, the former counterpart of the Russian Dan Hooker considers the upcoming fight a serious challenge for Makhachev.

Initially, he expected that he would be more selective in choosing opponents and take longer breaks between performances.

However, he immediately managed to surprise him.

“For Makhachev, this will be a difficult battle, and he needs to be given credit.

It seems to me that the biggest doubts about his championship was that he would be less active compared to others.

Take the microphone immediately after the fight and call (Volkanovski. -

) to a fight on his own territory, be ready to fly very far - they (Makhachev's team. -

) usually do not take such risks.

I take my hat off to Islam ... It’s hard to knock Alex down, and it’s even harder to keep him on the ground, ”said Hooker.

And although the meeting between Makhachev and Volkanovski will take place only in a month, many are already guessing in what direction the lightweight division of the championship will develop.

So, former trophy winner Charles Oliveira is already making plans for his return.

So, in the spring, the Brazilian expects to compete for the title of contender, and then fight the champion again.

At the same time, once a UFC fighter, and now commentator Josh Thomson does not consider Oliveira ready to compete with Makhachev.

According to him, at the moment only one representative of the category up to 70.3 kilograms can do this.

“Perhaps the only one who is capable of this is Dariush.

I think he alone has a style that will allow him to defeat Makhachev.

He's very unorthodox... Do you want to trade blows?

Beneil will lay you down.

Do you want to fight?

He won’t allow takedowns to be carried out, he will force him to fight while standing, ”Thomson said on the air of his own YouTube channel.

According to him, Dariush is able to surprise Makhachev on the ground using his skills in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

In particular, the Granby Roll (wrestling roll), with the help of which he is able to both get out of the grip of the opponent, and put him on the canvas himself.

“He will change positions and fight at such a pace that Islam ... I know that Makhachev is in phenomenal shape, but he prefers to slow down the fight,” Thomson said on the air of his own YouTube channel.