Featherweight Champion Volkanovski accuses rival Makhachev of dodging UFC rematch

After undergoing a recent surgical procedure to address a long-standing elbow injury, the undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, is currently in a six-week recovery period. Despite this, he has accused his rival, Islam Makhachev, of avoiding a potential title rematch at UFC 294, scheduled for October.

Volkanovski, who now holds the pound-for-pound number one ranking, successfully defended his featherweight crown for the fifth time at UFC 290. In an impressive display, he secured a third-round TKO victory over Yair Rodríguez, unifying the featherweight titles in the process.

The victory brought Volkanovski back to the winner’s circle after his previous loss to Makhachev at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia earlier in the year, which marked the end of his unbeaten streak.

You running brotha, you don’t want this smoke 💨 https://t.co/RmxbZeVDHs

— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) July 19, 2023

Looking ahead to a possible title rematch with Makhachev at UFC 294 in the Middle East, Volkanovski expressed frustration as Makhachev had suggested a welterweight championship bout with Leon Edwards instead. This led to Volkanovski accusing Makhachev of “running” from the potential rematch in a tweet.

Initially earmarked to headline the UFC’s return to the Etihad Arena, Makhachev was expected to face former lightweight titleholder, Charles Oliveira, at UFC 294. However, Oliveira had to withdraw due to a lingering injury.

Despite the situation, Makhachev challenged Edwards for a welterweight title clash in the desert, adding further fuel to the speculation that he may be avoiding the rematch with Volkanovski.

In response, Makhachev denied the claims that he was avoiding the rematch and urged Volkanovski, who hails from New South Wales, to sign the contract and meet him in the octagon in October.

Take the fight then 🤷🏼‍♂️👊🏼 https://t.co/hqkKVeMYbk

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 19, 2023

It remains to be seen if the two fighters will indeed face each other at UFC 294, or if other arrangements will be made for the event’s headlining bout.

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