Russo talked about the change in opponents on the eve of UFC 294
UFC 294, scheduled for this weekend in Abu Dhabi (UAE), had changes in its two main bouts, one of which was the change of opponent for Islam Makhachev, who will defend his lightweight belt against Alexander Volkanovski replacing Charles from the Bronx.
The injury of the Brazilian, with whom he would have had the revenge of the match fought both in October 2022, won by the Russian, meant that Ultimate brought the Australian into the field, with whom he had also fought, at the beginning of the 2023, in the challenge between champions, which is now renewed with the ‘improvised’ rematch between the holder of the lightweight belt and the featherweight champion.
A change that doesn’t worry the Russian at all, who declared at the event’s media day that his commitment as champion is to fight whoever, whenever. And there was also a “bite” against a fighter who had nothing to do with the story, Jon Jones,
– This is what a champion must do. Like a true champion. Anyone who is truly a champion, has to accept a fight like that, no matter how many days, against whoever he is… It’s not like what you think is the best pound for pound (Jones) when they wanted to give Chael Sonnen the he. When you are a true champion, you have to fight – said Makhachev.
The incident mentioned by the Russian occurred in 2012, when Jones was supposed to face Dan Henderson at UFC 151. Henderson was injured a few days before the card and Ultimate attempted to look for a new rival for the then light heavyweight champion and Sonnen, who was coming from After his second loss to Anderson Silva at middleweight, offered to face “Bones”, but he declined and the event was cancelled.
But, while downplaying this unexpected event, Makhachev does not even reserve a “total” welcome for his rival. From the 70kg champion’s point of view, what drives Volkanovski to accept a last-minute call to “save” one of the events on which Ultimate is pinning its hopes for financial success in 2023, would be more for financial gain than for other reasons.
– If the UFC told him to bring the belt to Abu Dhabi in 11 days, he would never do it. Alex doesn’t take any risks fighting me without the belt. He comes to make money and everyone knows it,” said the Russian.
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– He arrives here with 11 days without pressure, I have already beaten him and if I beat him again they will say that he wasn’t in shape, that he didn’t have time to prepare. For me it’s exactly this: getting there and winning,” he added.
Jon Jones responds to Makhachev
As soon as the Dagestani “hit” Jones, the Ultimate heavyweight champion tried to respond using social media, to also “need” the owner of the lightweight belt on the issue.
– I talked about things in life and Islam made some negative comments. I don’t need to respond with negativity, I have bigger things coming. I want to encourage some of the young fighters to try to beat my records rather than talk about it – said “Bones”.
Source: Terra
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