Alexander Volkanovski’s efficiency at UFC 290 has Javier Mendez thinking a pair of rematch with Islam Makhachev.
UFC lightweight champion Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) handed Volkanovski his first octagon loss when he edged him out in a 5-round fight at UFC 284 in February. This past Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, featherweight champion Volkanovski returned to his weight class and retained his title with a third-round TKO of Yair Rodriguez within the principle tournament.
Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) is situation to undergo a route of on his elbow, however expects to be willing by Makhachev’s date of return at UFC 294 on Oct. 21 in Abu Dhabi. Makhachev’s head coach Mendez used to be very impressed with Volkanovski’s efficiency in opposition to Rodriguez.
“It used to be with out a doubt this form of fights the set up Alex proved how worthy he is by what he did,” Mendez acknowledged on his podcast. “He adjusted. He did something he most ceaselessly doesn’t build. He used to be every other time outstruck on the vary combating, so he changed the script to being the wrestler, and he would possibly possibly struggle, and he proved he would possibly possibly struggle, furthermore. So he took Yair down and he thoroughly dominated him on the bottom.
“It wasn’t till he hit him with the upright hand after which he pounced on him … he went enhance, enhance, dumped him. That used to be an very just appropriate searching demonstrate of a man that’s worthy trim, worthy IQ. Let’s see what happens. Let’s see if they supply him to Islam or they supply any person else to Islam. Nonetheless someplace down the line, we’re going to luxuriate in to fight him every other time. I conclude up for it because it’ll be a worthy fight, for sure after that efficiency.”
One other capability rematch that awaits Makhachev is in opposition to Charles Oliveira, who rebounded from his title loss to Makhachev with a first-round TKO of Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 in Might per chance per chance well per chance. Oliveira acknowledged he can’t form Oct. 21 to poke things abet with Makhachev, however Mendez says he doesn’t accumulate to name the shots.
“Oliveira is talking about how he needs to fight in November or December,” Mendez acknowledged. “Nicely, he’s now now not going to accumulate to decide when he fights for the title. The UFC decides that. I agree with that Islam’s scheduled on Oct. 21 because they need him for Abu Dhabi. I agree with that’s one hundred computer the fight that makes sense for Islam to conclude there. Who the opponent is? I don’t know. And it’ll be Oliveira aloof. Oliveira would possibly possibly instruct, ‘Not at all mind, I’ll fight him in Abu Dhabi.’ I don’t know.”
For more on the cardboard, search recommendation from MMA Junkie’s tournament hub for UFC 290.