Alex Volkanovski is set to fight Islam Makhachev in Perth for the UFC lightweight title next year after accepting Makhachev’s challenge in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (AEDT).
Australian Volkanovski, the featherweight champion, entered the Octagon with Makhachev after the Russian beat Charles Oliveira in a second round submission to claim the vacant lightweight belt.
Makhachev’s coach, UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, called Volkanovski out after the win at UFC 280.
Watch the 2022 PFL World Championship featuring Rob Wilkinson and Kayla Harrison on November 26, streaming ad-free, live and exclusive on Stan Sport
“Now is our plan, fly all the way to Australia and fight in the pound-for-pound king’s backyard, Volkanovski,” Nurmagomedov said.
Makhachev then chimed in by asking: “Where is the short guy?”
Volkanovski, who was at the event as a back-up fighter, stepped up to the plate.
READ MORE: Matildas dealt ‘worst possible’ World Cup draw
READ MORE: Australia under fire over dubious World Cup call
READ MORE: ‘Absolute gun’ set to explode on World Cup
Former rugby player ready for possible UFC shot
“The lightweight on the line, the pound-for-pound No.1 on the line. Let’s do it,” the 34-year-old superstar said before shaking hands with Makhachev.
The pair are set to square off at UFC 284 on February 12 next year at Perth’s RAC Arena in what promises to be one of the best fight nights in Australian combat sport history.
Makhachev, 31, has a perfect 11-0 record while Volkanovski has long expressed his goal to move up in weight class and become just the fifth simultaneous double champion in UFC history.
UFC champion Volkanovski sits down with WWOS
Volkanovski has won 12 fights in a row since entering the UFC.
“I have a new target. I have to be pound-for-pound No.1, that’s why I have to go to Australia and beat this guy,” Makhachev told reporters.
“Volkanovski’s tough. He has good skills, good striking game but he is small for this division, I think. If he wants to jump to 155 pounds, let’s do this, but this weight class is not his level.”
Earlier on Sunday, bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling retained his title with a second round stoppage win against former two-time champion TJ Dillashaw in an all-American encounter.
Dillashaw dislocated his left shoulder early in the fight.
He said afterwards that he had likely dislocated his shoulder “a good 20 times throughout training camp.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here
The sporting figures we’ve lost in 2022
