In the lead-up to what promises to be a sensational rematch between two formidable fighters, Alexander Volkanovski has ignited the MMA world with a bold proclamation. The reigning UFC Featherweight champion recently asserted that Islam Makhachev, the current Lightweight champion, boasts superior MMA grappling skills compared to the submission maestro Charles Oliveira. This unexpected revelation comes ahead of their highly anticipated UFC 294 headliner scheduled for October 21 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Makhachev and Oliveira previously clashed at UFC 280 last October, a battle that saw Makhachev dominate and submit Oliveira, securing his victory spectacularly. This bout established Makhachev as a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division.
Speaking candidly on his YouTube channel, Volkanovski expressed his belief in Makhachev’s prowess, stating, “Who I think is a better MMA grappler? I am going to point to Islam.” However, Volkanovski is quick to clarify that when it comes to pure jiu-jitsu, Oliveira holds the advantage. He even ventured into controversial territory by suggesting that if a jiu-jitsu match were to take place, Makhachev would still come out on top.
Volkanovski expanded on his perspective, stating, “I think Oliveira has got cleaner, harder sort of submissions and jiu-jitsu moves. But when it comes to actual grappling and control, and dictating where it all goes, I have got Islam all day.”
This statement carries significant weight, considering that Volkanovski has first-hand experience grappling with Makhachev. In their recent lightweight title showdown at UFC 284, Volkanovski struggled to contend with Makhachev’s relentless pressure, ultimately suffering a decision loss. This experience undoubtedly played a role in Volkanovski’s assessment of Makhachev’s grappling skills.
Volkanovski anticipates a challenging rematch between Makhachev and Oliveira. He emphasizes that Oliveira must improve his ability to return to his feet and maintain relentless pressure on Makhachev to create potential openings for submissions. Volkanovski suggests that catching Makhachev in vulnerable positions, particularly when he’s attempting to regain his footing, could be Oliveira’s path to victory.
“As Islam is trying to catch him again, maybe leaving his neck vulnerable, then getting him sort of out of position there because on the bottom, you are not going to get him out of position. Then on the feet is where Charles needs to get Islam for his best bet of winning that fight,” Volkanovski noted.
This intriguing assessment by Volkanovski adds an extra layer of anticipation to the already highly-anticipated showdown between Makhachev and Oliveira. As MMA enthusiasts eagerly await the clash at UFC 294, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Makhachev’s superior grappling skills will indeed prove to be the decisive factor in this epic rematch.
In the world of mixed martial arts, where opinions are as fiercely debated as the fights themselves, Alexander Volkanovski’s assessment has added an intriguing layer of anticipation to the forthcoming showdown between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. As fans gear up for UFC 294 on October 21, all eyes will be on the octagon to see if Makhachev can indeed prove himself as the superior MMA grappler, or if Oliveira’s unmatched jiu-jitsu expertise will turn the tide. The clash of these two exceptional fighters promises not only high-stakes action but also a profound examination of the intricacies of grappling in the sport, making it a must-watch event for MMA enthusiasts worldwide.
