The main event of UFC 284 will feature an exciting champion-versus-champion clash between lightweight Islam Makhachev and featherweight Alexander Volkanovski, who will be fighting for the second championship on Sunday. Meanwhile, Makhachev recently said that the UFC is not promoting this much-awaited fight properly.
Now, UFC president Dana White fired back at Makhachev’s claims and said that the Makhachkala-born fighter doesn’t even know what he was talking about. He said that the event is already sold out so he can’t say that the fight is not promoted well.
“Yeah, that’s not true. First of all, I’ve talked to Islam. First of all, who interviewed him? Who translated for him? I mean, the guy speaks Russian. Taken out of context like most of the things in the media… First of all, he lives in Dagestan. What does he know about what’s going on for the promotion of the fight? He doesn’t know anything,” Dana said on The Jim Rome Show.
“It’s going to be one of the top-five biggest fights of all time. First of all, the event sold out, right? You couldn’t get a ticket if you wanted to get a ticket in Perth, and this thing is trending right now to be the biggest pay-per-view event in Australia… So to say that the fight hasn’t been [promoted], that’s just ridiculous. That’s what you call some internet BS,” he added.
It’s gonna be him in there, let’s be real: Alexander Volkanovski
Meanwhile, Former UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov reportedly won’t be cornering Makhachev during his fight against Volkanovski. However, the featherweight is very confident about his victory and said that he doesn’t want Khabib’s absence as an excuse of Makhachev’s loss.
“I mean only because people bringing that up. I’m like don’t use that as an excuse when I get my hands raised. That’s the type of guy I am. Now yous are saying all these, just remember that… He’s fought without Khabib. Obviously having him here would have been incredible…But Islam proven that he’s a great fighter. He doesn’t need… It’s gonna be him in there, let’s be real. It ain’t gonna affect him one bit. So don’t use that as an excuse this Sunday.” Volkanovski was quoted as saying by ESPN.
