Russian UFC fighter Islam Makhachev will defeat Australian Alex Volkanovski ahead of schedule or with a clear defeat on points, ACA fighter Adam Bogatyrev told RB Sport.

On February 12, in Perth, Australia, Russian Islam Makhachev (23 wins, 1 loss in MMA) will hold the first defense of the UFC lightweight championship belt with Volkanovski (25-1). For this fight, Volkanovski will move to the lightweight category: from 65.8 kg to 70.3 kg.

Will the height difference be a problem for Volkanovski?

– Alex was inferior in featherweight, but at the same time he has good movement and power due to the fact that he played rugby for a long time and weighed under 90 kg.

Will Volkanovski be able to do something against Makhachev’s struggle?

– I do not think that Islam will immediately run to fight him. He will use the height and length of his limbs to deliver blows to Alex. Islam also has a high-level strike, so in the first round for two or three minutes he will break him and make him back to the net, and we all understand that this is not worth doing with a wrestler. By the end of the round, he will try to translate, but I don’t think he will turn on until the end. Just to see if it has power. The second round will follow the same scenario, only Islam will press him to the net earlier and transfer him. He starts to beat, so that Alex begins to make mistakes and gives a reason to improve the situation. Maybe make a hand triangle or strangle from the back.

What will Volkanovski do?

“Volkanovski will try to deliver a blow from the very beginning. But at the same time, he will not be able to work with serial combinations, otherwise Islam will catch him on the counter move. A maximum of two or three hits in a series, will try to move the front hand and knock it down. Maybe he’ll plant a couple of lowkicks. But in any case, it will not be easy to transfer him in the first round. He will be faster than Islam and can meet him ahead of the curve, try to knock him out.

What outcome do you predict?

– I think, 70 to 30, that Islam will win ahead of schedule. Or with a clear defeat on points. The only chance Volkanovski has is a knockout.

The UFC 284 tournament in Australia will be broadcast by Match TV and Match! Fighter”, as well as websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru. The live broadcast on the thematic TV channel will begin on the night of February 12 from 01:55 (MSK). “Match TV” will show the title fight of the Russian Islam Makhachev with the Australian Alexander Volkanovski from 6:00 (MSK).