‘Hold your horses cowboy’ – Islam Makhachev responds to Alexander Volkanovski’s plan to move up to lightweight

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UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev issues a warning to Alexander Volkanovski after the featherweight champion expressed his desire to move up in weight

Alexander Volkanovski reminded the world that there are levels to this game, and he is truly among the elite in the UFC roaster. In what was a one-sided effort, Volkanovski shut down any threat from the Zombie, and was hitting him at will with whatever weapon he fancied. In the end referee Herb Dean had seen enough of accumulated damage and called an end to the fight, even through Zombie showed the heart of a warrior.

Islam Makhachev is called the next Khabib Nurmagomedov
Islam Makhachev poses on the scale, weighing in during the UFC 208 weigh-in inside Kings Theater on February 10, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York.(Photo by Anthony Geathers/Getty Images)

This victory puts the Aussie in an elite category of UFC fighters, becoming one of the only five fighters to start their UFC career at 11-0 or better. Volkanovski joins the likes of MMA royalty Anderson Silva, Khabib Nurmagomeodov, Royce Gracie and Kamaru Usman in this prestigious list.

With a third fight against Max Holloway as his only viable option, Volkanovski expressed that he might be considering a move to lightweight just to stay active. Speaking to ESPN Australia and New Zealand he said, ”I want to be active, I’ll work my options because I’m not holding anyone up and I’m doing my part. So if people want to do their par, let’s have fun. let’s have these money fights, let’s see the double champ status”

Islam Makhachev issues a warning to Alexander Volkanovski after he expressed his desire to move up in weight

At the UFC 49 Vegas Main event, Islam Makhachev reminded the world that there are levels to this game and he is truly at his prime. His first-round TKO victory against Bobby Green took his streak to 10 and it’s evident by now that the only fight that makes sense for him is a title shot.

Following the aftermath of the main event, Makhachev confirmed to Megan Olivi of ESPN, that UFC president Dana White spoke to his teammate Khabib and guaranteed a title shot for him next.

He said, “I just smashed my all four opponents. For win streak, I have this last 11 months, and [Dana White] just called [Khabib] and say I am gonna fight for the title next.” When asked about a potential date for the fight, Makhachev said, “Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi, I’m gonna come home soon.”

Makhachev responded to Volkanovski on Twitter by saying, ‘

Hold your horses cowboy., you have division full of young sharks, more than enough to stay busy.
LW title fight is mine🎯

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