Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski fought for the former’s lightweight championship at UFC 284. Islam successfully retained his belt with a unanimous decision win. However, many Volkanovski fans and media figures feel that he should’ve won.
As a result, social media is full of heated debates between the supporters of the two fighters. However, a clip is making the rounds, that shows how the two greats respect each other and are on good terms.
A wholesome video of Islam and Volk has surfaced, which shows the two embracing and getting a picture clicked. This happened in Australia, after their five-round war. During this exchange, the two briefly signaled each other for a rematch.
The clip shows Volk walking towards Islam and the two hugging. Islam praised Volk’s strength despite his size.
“Short, but strong.” the lightweight champion remarked.
Volk asked for a rematch: “Should we do it again?
To this, Islam replied: “Of course.”
Volk then suggested the location for their next matchup — the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The “Great” one wants Islam to have the rematch in his territory, where the crowd will support him. The crowd on their first outing was inclined toward Volk, as he’s an Australian native.
“Maybe Abu Dhabi,” he said, to which Islam agreed.
“You deserve one in Abu Dhabi. [It’s] my turn to get booed.”
After this, Islam and Volk’s respective teams also met up for a group photograph.
This is when Volk repeated his call for another: “Make rematch happen?”
To this, Islam replied: “Yes, why not.”
Someone from the Islam camp then remarked: “This time Abu Dhabi. Yes, that’s fair.”
Meanwhile, Islam is in hot water for allegedly using IV therapy to rehydrate for the Volk match. Ever since then, we’ve heard his statements, a cover-up from the UFC, and an alleged leaked recording of Zubaira Tukhogov confirming the debacle.
Now, the Western Australia Combat Sport Commission has also given a statement regarding the situation.
“The Combat Sport Commission of Western Australia does not condone any form of cheating within the combat sports industry,” Its chairperson Bob Kucera told MMAFighting.
“The Commission has no conclusive evidence that any athlete at the UFC 284 event held at RAC Arena has breached WADA or the commission’s policies,”
“The Commission has not received a complaint relating to any athlete at the UFC 284 event held at RAC Arena. The Commission invites anyone with any relevant information to contact us.”