Alexander Volkanovski thinks UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev is calling out the sternest test in the division.
Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) dominated Jack Della Maddalena (18-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) to claim his second UFC belt in Saturday’s UFC 322 headliner at Madison Square Garden in New York.
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A plethora of 170-pound contenders await, with both Michael Morales and Carlos Prates scoring statement-winning knockouts at UFC 322. However, Makhachev remains interested in a legacy fight against former champion Kamaru Usman (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC), who Volkanovski sees as the toughest challenge.
“Islam is going to be a problem in that division,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “You’ve got Morales who wants to fight. I know Sean Brady did that, but I mean Islam’s grabbing a hold of that leg, he doesn’t take any risk. He’s grabbing a hold of Morales’ leg straight away, and then you’re going to see how good his grappling is.
“Who is going to give Islam problems? Usman’s there. Usman could be a problem. We’ve seen how he did well against (Khamzat) Chimaev, as well, and he doesn’t take unnecessary risks. He’s smart, so I think Usman will be Islam’s toughest challenge. (He) won’t take any unnecessary risk, can stick to a game plan.”
Usman snapped a three-fight losing skid with a win over Joaquin Buckley in June. He made his case for a title shot prior to Makhachev beating Della Maddalena, and it appears Makhachev reciprocates interest.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Alexander Volkanovski names Islam Makhachev’s ‘toughest challenge’
