“Don’t Give Them Anymore Credit” – Saving UFC 294 From Debacle Not Enough for Islam Makhachev & Co. as Alexander Volkanovski Gets Put Down by Team Khabib Coach

Alexander Volanovski moved up a weight class to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 earlier this year. He was able to hold his own and gave a stellar performance in the fight. Even though he lost via a unanimous decision, many feel he won the bout.

This earned him universal respect from the MMA community. He even retained the top spot on the pound-for-pound rankings, so impressive was his performance. And he has earned even more respect by taking the rematch at UFC 294 on short notice. ‘Volk’ will have an opportunity to win not just the respect of his peers and fans, but also a double-championship on October 21.

I give us credit for taking the fight – Islam Makhachev coach

Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez of the American Kickboxing Academy spoke to Submission Radio ahead of UFC 294. The Dagestani was supposed to rematch Charles Oliveira at the card. However, the Brazilian was forced to pull out due to a last-minute injury.

And ‘Volk’, of course, stepped in with less than two weeks left before the fight. Mendez, however, insists that he does not give the Aussie any more credit than he gives Makhachev, pointing out they accepted the fight on short notice, too.

“Well, my read is we got to give us credit for taking the fight on short notice. Like I said, a lot of people wouldn’t do it, so it’s not like [only] he’s doing this. We are too. So, hey, it’s even we’re even, we’re both taking a fight [on short notice], you know. We’re both even, you know, we’re both even on this. So, to me, I don’t give them any more credit than I give us credit for taking the fight,” Makhachev’s coach said.

UFC 294- from debacle to dream card

The latest iteration of UFC 294 has seen, perhaps, the most bizarre series of events of any pay-per-view card the UFC has put on. A couple of days ago, it seemed the card was going to be a disaster. Charles Oliveira had pulled out of the main event due tot he aforementioned injury. And Paulo Costa had to pull out of the co-main event against Khamzat Chimaev due to a surgery following a bad case of staph infection.

Also Read: Moments After Pulling Out of UFC 294, Charles Oliveira Breaks Silence and Confesses on Injury as Dana White Ropes In Alexander Volkanovski Against Islam Makhachev

But, almost miraculously, the UFC has managed to find replacements for both fights that are even more exciting than the original fights. ‘Volk’, of course, would replace Oliveira. And Dana White announced today that former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman would move up and face ‘Borz’, with the winner promised a shot at the middleweight title next. What are your predictions for UFC 294? Let us know in the comments section below.

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