As the end of the year begins to approach, UFC fans are already talking about the big clash between the undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, and the featherweight champion, Andrei Volkanovski. On Saturday, February 11th, Makhachev defends his title at the RAC Arena, in Perth, Western Australia, at 10.00 pm Canadian time. Both fighters have proven in previous bouts to be seemingly made of steel, so it’s going to be a bruising encounter within the sport. Below is a look at the odds, track record and fighting styles of both men.
The odds
The betting lines don’t make nice reading if you’re Volkanovski, but if you’re taking part in sports betting Canada and think “Alexander the Great” can pull off the win, the sportsbooks will reward you handsomely. They don’t see the Australian becoming a double champ and have made him an underdog at +260 on the betting lines.
If you’re the Russian, the betting lines make more pleasing reading and will inspire you with confidence. Sportsbooks have placed Makhachev as the favourite at -320 on the betting lines. Makhachev vs Volkanovski
Islam Makhachev fighting history and record
Makhachev doesn’t share results. You either win or lose against him since he has a record of 23 wins and 1 loss. The lightweight champ comes into the title clash with a win against Charles Oliveira under his belt, which he achieved in October with an arm triangle choke that forced the Brazilian to submit and surrender the lightweight title. Oliveira hadn’t made things easy for him and had thrown plenty of punishing punches and kicks in the second round.
After securing victory, Makhachev had called out Volkanovski immediately. The Australian headed to the side of the Octagon and the two agreed there and then to set up a matchup. Makhachev has fought some tough opponents on his road to the title, including New Zealand’s Dan Hooker.
If Volkanovski is to take Makhachev’s title from him, he’s got a job on his hands. Clinches will be a particular problem, as he can expect the lightweight champ to lay into him with lots of hard knees and wear him down. Then there’s his extensive wrestling knowledge, both freestyle and Greco Roman, so the challenger will have an unpleasant time on the ground as well. That being said, however, Makhachev may be wary of getting Volkanovski on the ground since his striking on the ground is brutal, as the world saw against T-City.
Volkanovski’s fighting record and history
Volkanovski has a record of 25 wins and also 1 loss, so he’s not going to make it easy for the champ. Notable encounters include his war with Brian “T-City” Ortega and his trilogy of battles with Max Holloway, in which he came out on top in two of them and took the trilogy. The third was an especially brutal encounter and “The Great” dominated Holloway.
Volkanovski is a pressure fighter, although he reigns this in a little against more elite competition as pushing forward hasn’t paid as many dividends for him. Although not especially tall, at 1.68 metres, he does have a good reach on him, which works well for his striking and closing the distance. He likes to wrestle opponents against the cage before tripping them to the ground and landing bombs on them.
The featherweight champ will be facing an expert on the ground, however. One who has trained with Khabib Nurmagomedov, who himself has a ruthless ground game. What will give the Australian confidence, though, is his resilience when it comes to surviving submission attempts. T-City slapped three on him and couldn’t get the job done. A combination of patience, composure and next level toughness saw Volkanovski through.
Makhachev vs Volkanovski
Why visit Perth to see the fight?
Catching the fight live will be an experience like no other. The roar of the home crowd as they cheer on their countryman will stay with you. The mental toughness, physical toughness, courage to step into the cage and the discipline it has taken both fighters to get where they are qualities to admire.
There are lots you can do in Perth before the fight. Why not spend part of the day or all of it at one of Perth’s fine beaches? Cottesloe Beach is the most famous of them and is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking.
Appreciating wildlife is another good activity you can engage in. On Heirisson Island, you can marvel at the kangaroos as they roam freely around this nature reserve. Penguin Island is another wildlife home, this time to more than 1,200 little penguins. You can also see dolphins and stingrays while you’re there.
Makhachev vs Volkanovski is going to be a terrific clash for the lightweight title and it’s set to take place in Perth, Western Australia. Both fighters have proven themselves to be ultra-tough to have become champions, but who will walk away with the lightweight belt around their waist? Sportsbooks think it will be Makhachev. The world will see in February 2023.
