ABU DHABI – Alexander Volkanovski is comfortable with how his style matches up against Islam Makhachev going into their expected champion-vs.-champion fight in February. After Makhachev (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) won the vacant lightweight title with a second-round submission of Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 on Saturday, featherweight titleholder Volkanovski (25-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) entered the octagon for a faceoff to set up a showdown between them, likely at UFC 284 on Feb. 11 in Perth, Australia. After essentially cleaning out the 145-pound division, Volkanovski put himself in position to challenge for a second belt by offering his services as the backup fighter at UFC 280. He made weight ahead of the event in case his services were needed, and as a result seemingly locked himself into being Makhachev’s first challenger. “That’s why I’m doing that type of stuff – that’s why you see me here and putting a lot on the line, committing to some big things a lot of people wouldn’t do just to put me in position where, again, no one can take an opportunity away from me,” Volkanovski told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at UFC 280.
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