Russian kickboxer Vladislav Tuinov shared his outlook on the anticipated showdown between Islam Makhachev and Alex Volkanovski.
Tuinov believes Volkanovski can rise to the occasion and push the bout into a tight, highly competitive contest. He expects five intense rounds, with the pace and heart of the fight on full display. Despite Volkanovski’s grit, Tuinov still regards Makhachev as the favorite to win.
The UFC 284 clash is scheduled for February 12 in Perth, Australia, a venue chosen to showcase two of the sport’s most talked-about lightweights.
Volkanovski currently leads the official UFC rankings as the top fighter across all weight classes, underscoring his consistency and versatility.
Earlier in the UFC calendar, on October 22, 2022, Makhachev and Brazilian star Charles Oliveira combined forces to vie for the lightweight title at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. Makhachev captured the title in the second round with a suffocating grip, cementing his status among the elite.
Previously, another Russian, Khabib Nurmagomedov, held the lightweight championship belt before retirement, a landmark in the sport’s recent history.
Volkanovski has publicly spoken about the challenge of facing Makhachev, acknowledging the strength of the lightweight champion and signaling a belief in his own ability to contend at the highest level.