Islam Makhachev is not someone who shies away from speaking his mind about the sport. The fighter is now ready to face off against his previous nemesis Alexander Volkanovski. At UFC 294, fans will be duly waiting for a second running of their match. However, will there be a trilogy?

A third match will only have more validation if Volkanovski takes the win home this time, hence giving Makhachev a reason to chase him down once again. However, the Dagestani fighter has full confidence and he’s even sure that he won their last bout completely fair and square even though for some, that match was a close call.

Islam Makhachev is confident in his first win

Islam Makhachev went up against Volkanovski earlier this year in the month of February. The much-hyped fight surpassed expectations with strikes and blows landing on both sides. The two fighters did everything they could to topple each other down to the mat, but the fight went on.

It was also Makhachev’s first fight going five rounds at once, according to the fighter. It wasn’t easy for Makhachev to go up against another division’s champion and come up victorious. In a recent promotional countdown teaser for UFC 294, the star of the upcoming main event opened up about their first meeting.

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“Volkanovski, this is the hardest fight in my life,” started Makhachev. “Because I fought first time five rounds. I take him down, I take his back. You have to ask him, ‘What you did to win this fight?’. Some people say that the fight was close because they just saw the last minute. But all people who understand MMA, they know I won by unanimous decision.”

Clearly, the fighter knows about his abilities as well as his weaknesses. Volkanovski’s stamina can be unmatched in a five-round match. For Makhachev’s first time, his performance was beyond impressive. Now, the two will lock horns again in a similar fashion and format.

Makhachev is more than prepared for UFC 294

In a recent video, Makhachev can be seen destroying a punching bag with his elbow strikes as he prepares to take down ‘The Great’. Some of these elbow strikes even found their mark the last time around. Many expected Makhachev to control ‘Volk’ on the ground but it was his striking that came up as unexpectedly pleasant for fans.

Also Read: After Almost Beating the Brakes off Khabib’s Successor, Reality of Islam Makhachev’s Wrestling Laid Bare by Alexander Volkanovski

Now, with very few days to prepare for a new opponent, will Makhachev’s skills and experience really come in handy? Volkanovski has never been an easy challenge for anyone given his skill and insane stamina in the cage. Will this time be any different than the last? We’ll have to wait until UFC 294 commences.

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