Islam Makhachev: ‘When you’re the best in the world, who cares who’s the opponent?’

Islam Makhachev is prepared and ready for whatever challenges Alexander Volkanovski may bring at UFC 294

Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrated’s in-depth look at MMA. Every week, this column offers insight and information on the most noteworthy stories in the fight world.

Islam Makhachev: “I’m the best in the world at 155”

Islam Makhachev is no longer facing Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 294.

Instead of Oliveira, who he already defeated once in convincing fashion, Makhachev will now defend his lightweight championship against Alexander Volkanovski–the man who nearly defeated the champ at UFC 284 earlier this year.

The sweeping change was announced on Tuesday night, and it caused considerable headlines across the fight realm. Yet Makhachev took the news matter-of-factly, as he plans on defeating whoever lines up across from him.

“When you’re the best in the world, who cares who’s the opponent?” said Makhachev. “I don’t care who my opponent is. I’m the best in the world at 155.

“Two days, ten days, it doesn’t matter–I have to defend my belt. I told my manager, ‘Find someone. I’m ready.’”

Contents

1. Islam Makhachev: “I’m the best in the world at 155”
2. Khamzat Chimaev will prove his worth at UFC 294

Makhachev (24-1) enters this bout on a magnificent 12-fight win streak. The greatest threat he has faced throughout that stretch is Volkanovski (26-2), the reigning featherweight champion. Though Makhachev won their bout in February at UFC 284 by unanimous decision, it was an extraordinarily close affair–and one that Volkanovski believes he won.

“That made some drama after the fight,” said Makhachev. “Everyone knew who won the fight. That’s why I got the unanimous decision. I won a minimum of three rounds. I went all the way to Australia and fought in his backyard. Now everything has changed. But this is not my country. My home is a four-hour flight. That’s why I came here a month early. No more jet lag.”

Makhachev vowed that he would not underestimate Volkanovski. But that does not change the fact he believes he is the more skilled fighter.

Another advantage for Makhachev is that he has more at stake. If Volkanovski loses, he remains featherweight champion. He will also have plenty of respected voices noting that he took the fight with little time to prepare.

“I respect him because he took the fight,” said Makhachev. “He’ll get good money. If he loses, people will say it’s because he took the fight on short notice. He’s still champion in the other division. He doesn’t have something to lose. He does not have the risk.

“I know he’s dangerous. If you want to beat Alex, you need to knock him out or put him to sleep, because he wants to fight all five rounds.”

Stipe Miocic on Terry Francona: ‘I Love The Guy’

For Makhachev, it is all on the line. If he loses, he will lose the belt to an opponent fighting out of his weight class–and one who did not even have a proper training camp.

“I have the belt,” said Makhachev. “The belt changed my life. The belt motivates me. When you have the belt, everything changes.

“I trained all my life to become UFC champion. I have the best team. I have the best example in Khabib [Nurmagomedov]. I keep training. When I closed my eyes, this is what I dreamed about. It is an honor to defend this belt.”

---

Khamzat Chimaev will prove his worth at UFC 294

There is a lot of hype surrounding Khamzat Chimaev.

But does he deserve it?

Fairly or unfairly, Chimaev (12-0, 11 KOs) has yet to live up to the monstrous expectations. Over the past three years, he has not defeated anyone in the thick of the title scene. He struggled mightily with the power of Gilbert Burns in April of 2022, and missed weight in September of 2022 when he fought Kevin Holland at UFC 279. That bout–13 months ago–still stands as Chimaev’s most recent fight, though he is scheduled to return next week.

Believe Chimaev is fighting when you actually see him step into the cage. Originally slated to face Paulo Costa, who is out again due to injury, Chimaev now has the tall task of fighting Kamara Usman in Abu Dhabi at UFC 294.

Usman is moving up to 185 pounds and replacing Costa, adding a whole new level of intrigue to this middleweight bout. A former welterweight champion, Usman crafted a 15-fight win streak before losing the title and ensuing rematch to Leon Edwards. But he can re-establish his dominance here as he faces Chimaev with under two weeks’ notice.

The stakes could not be higher, as the winner of this bout should be in line for a title shot against middleweight champion Sean Stickland. But there are no questions about Usman. Time and again, he has proven himself in the UFC. At 294, we will learn if the same can be said for Chimaev.