UFC Champion Islam Makhachev Responds to Accusations of Disrespecting Australian Culture

Islam Makhachev is gearing up to face Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Fans are hoping for an exciting fight as the UFC lightweight title and no.1 pound-for-pound ranking will be on the line. However, Alexander Volkanovski made a remark about Makhachev for snubbing an Australian cultural ceremony. The lightweight champion has responded to that criticism in a recent interview.

The Makhachev vs Volkanovski fight is set to break all pay-per-view records in the Oceanic region. UFC president Dana White claims that the main event of UFC 284 has the most PPV buys in Australia and New Zealand. One of Conor McGregor‘s fights held the record previously.

The Australian people held a welcoming ceremony ahead of the UFC 284 event. They invited all the fighters from the card. The event acquainted the UFC fighters with the Australian tradition, showcasing a traditional aboriginal dance routine along with many other things. However, Islam Makhachev didn’t attend the event and his opponent, ‘The Great’ Volkanovski, didn’t take that too kindly.

He blasted Makhachev and felt that he disrespected the Australian culture. However, Nurmagomedov‘s protégé has provided an explanation regarding his absence from the ceremony.

Islam Makhachev reveals why he missed the welcome ceremony

The UFC lightweight champion recently appeared in an interview with the MMA Junkie. The interviewer asked him why he didn’t attend the ceremony. Makhachev said, “I (am) training, I (am) just training.” He added, “When he [Alexander Volkanovski] did this stuff, I [was] training. That’s why he has to be ready.”

Makhachev said that he was focused more on training hard and getting in good shape for the fight and claims to respect Volkanovski as a fighter. “I am coming, like, in good shape. Alex, for sure, is a great fighter. He showed the people his level. He beat all opponents from his division,” said the lightweight champion.

Makhachev also claimed that ‘The Great’ didn’t have much competition in the featherweight division. He said, “He beat [Max] Holloway two/three times, but I don’t see some big fights in his division. That’s he’s jumping to other weight class.” The lightweight champ added, ” I respect him and I think it’s a big mistake for him.”

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The UFC 284 main event is one of the biggest fights in the promotion’s 2023 calendar year. It will be Makhachev‘s first title defense since winning the lightweight championship at UFC 280, defeating Charles Oliveira. It will also be Alexander Volkanovski‘s toughest challenge in his entire MMA career.

What are your thoughts? Who do you think will come out on top? Let us know in the comments below.

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