Islam Makhachev questioned why Alexander Volkanovski was cutting weight after coming across the featherweight champion during UFC 280 fight week.
Volkanovski is on standby to fill in for Charles Oliveira or Makhachev if either of the pair are unable to compete in their vacant lightweight title fight on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi. UFC boss Dana White has confirmed Volkanovski will be next in line for the winner of Oliveira and Makhachev's title fight, as the featherweight king has already beaten the top contenders in his weight class.
Makhachev told reporters of his meeting with Volkanovski: "I met Volkanovski downstairs – he’s a short guy. I ask him why you need to cut weight right now? If I beat Volkanovski people are going to say [he's too small] but people are always going to talk. "[Right now] I want to fight with Charles, and I hope he’s going to make weight. But it doesn’t matter. This camp, I trained so hard, it doesn’t matter who is going to be there. Saturday night, I need someone.”
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Oliveira should be making the third defence of his lightweight belt against Makhachev, but was stripped of the title after missing weight by half a pound for his submission win against Justin Gaethje in May. Makhachev, a protege of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, hopes that Oliveira is able to make the 155lb limit on Friday for their fight.
“He’s a champion but he have to show all fighters a good example,” Makhachev said. “He has to be professional. I hope he’s going to make weight [this] time. Right now, he’s the champion but I don’t think he’s the best. Right now, I know this is my moment. I believe even right now I am the best lightweight in the world.”
Volkanovski, who is unbeaten in over 20 fights, currently sits top of the UFC"s pound-for-pound rankings following his decision win against Max Holloway in July. The Australian started his MMA career as a middleweight despite only being 5'6" and recently admitted he would be open to a welterweight move for a fight with former two-weight champion Conor McGregor.
Makhachev would be open to defending his lightweight title against Volkanovski in Australia with a win against Oliveira, as he stated: "Why not? I went to Australia one time. I can go again. This is going to be a good fight. Always when the champion from other divisions fights with other champions, it’s a big fight and very interesting fight for all fans."
