Alexander Volkanovski is returning to the Octagon on July 8th. The UFC featherweight champion is going to be defending his crown against interim title holder Yair Rodriguez. Volkanovski is looking to bounce back after suffering a razor-close decision loss earlier this year to Islam Makhachev.

There are plenty of options on the table for the all-conquering 34-year-old. But his upcoming bout at UFC 290 is currently the talk of the town. Many are expecting the Australian to successfully defend his title, especially because of his training with the BJJ Goat. His trainer, in a recent YouTube video, shed light on some aspects of Volkanovski’s training and his approach to the upcoming fight.

BJJ Goat compares Volkanovski to Tony Ferguson

In preparation for his upcoming fight against Rodriguez at UFC 290, the featherweight champ has been training alongside BJJ expert Craig Jones. Known for his remarkable grappling skills and coaching expertise, Jones drew an interesting parallel between Volkanovski and renowned fighter Tony Ferguson.

The Australian grappler said,

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“He’s[Alexander] basically like very similar to Tony Ferguson and how he plays closed guard, the strides… so again that’s the complete opposite type of game to Islam… So far I think so far it’s really it’s a maintain and consist of pressure and obviously we’ve worked a ton of stuff to address specifically what he does. I obviously won’t go into detail about that…”

According to Jones, Volkanovski’s current style is in stark contrast to that of Islam Makhachev, to whom he lost a close decision earlier this year. Islam employs a strategy of consistent pressure, aiming to gain a top position, restrict movement, and take minimal risks when attempting ground submissions.

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On the other hand, Volkanovski’s approach, much like Tony Ferguson, involves playing a closed guard and making significant strides. This stands in stark contrast to Islam’s game plan. Jones further mentioned that they have extensively worked on addressing Volkanovski’s unique style, but refrained from divulging specific details.

The upcoming challenge for Volkanovski: UFC 290

The Australian seemed to recognize the challenge of staying ahead in the game, stating,

“Because people are going to try and figure me out, right? And then think that oh yeah we’ve got him figured out as they go well no one’s got me figured out more than my own training partner[Craig Jones]”

Determined to bounce back from his recent loss, he faces a range of choices for his future fights. While his focus lies on the 155-pound division, notable names from the bantamweight division, such as Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo, have expressed interest in challenging Volkanovski. His upcoming bout against Yair Rodriguez on July 8th promises to be an intense battle, with fans eagerly awaiting the clash between two honed fighters. As he continues to evolve as a champion, Volkanovski’s comparison to ‘the Boogeyman’ highlights his adaptability and resilience in the face of formidable opponents.

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In the lead-up to UFC 290, Volkanovski remains motivated and confident, working alongside Craig Jones to refine his skills and overcome any challenges that come his way. Do you think the Australian featherweight will sail through his title defense? Let us know in the comments below!