Islam Makhachev Has a Weird Way of Convincing Alexander Volkanovski About Training in Dagestan

Islam Makhachev is just days away from stepping into the octagon to defend his welterweight title for the first time. Now, as UFC 330 is already knocking on the door, the two-division champ is gearing up to face Ian Machado Garry. But amid this, he was caught convincing the reigning UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski to come for a training session in Dagestan.

Islam Makhachev Wants Volkanovski to Spend Weeks in Dagestan Without Wife's Permission

During a candid conversation with Islam Makhachev per Championship Rounds’ X post, Alexander Volkanovski expressed his interest in visiting Dagestan for two three days. He said, “Hey, one of my favorite sayings: spend two, three years in Dagestan for a year. I might not have two, three years, but I will have two or three days. So two, three days hunting in the mountains, cooking.”

Makhachev immediately revolted at hearing the proposal and added, “Two, three days is not enough, bro. Not enough. Two days, we just come to the mountain, but you have to stay at least two, three weeks, bro.”

Volk immediately agreed to the proposal and shared how he has already discussed the same with his team and is looking forward to visiting Dagestan soon. But Makhachev immediately stopped ‘The Great’ and said, “Bro, bro, bro. Don't say like, Demetrious Johnson told me in the last interview, I have to ask my wife. Don't say that.”

The 34-year-old fighter went down memory lane and referred to his conversation with the ‘Mighty Mouse'. While talking about Johnson's potential trip to Dagestan, the American fighter said, “I gotta talk to the wife.” Hearing this, Makhachev playfully added, “Talk to wife? You're the best fighter in the world, bro. You have to ask? You have to tell her, but not ask.”

However, as it appears, the Dagestani fighter could not convince Volk about not asking for permission from his wife, as Volkanovski stated, “I won't say that to you, but I will have to actually ask my wife. But she will love it.” Makhachev then responded, “Come, bring your princess daughters and come.”

Dana White Still Not Ready to Consider Islam Makhachev UFC GOAT

Islam Makhachev is currently reigning as the two-division champion with a record of 28-1. While he already holds the record for defending his lightweight title the most times, the UFC boss is not yet ready to crown him as the UFC GOAT. 

“I don't think about that stuff until the fight happens," stated Dana White during the Contender Series post-fight press conference. Explaining his stance, he further added, "When we see his performance on Saturday, let's see how it plays out, but obviously breaking record, you keep grinding, you keep fighting, you put your head down and just keep f**king knocking guys down left and right, by the time you say 'you know what? I'm done,' then we all figure out where he ends up in the big pictures.”

However, White believes that “he’s on the right path, that's for sure.” The 34-year-old Dagestani fighter will be facing Ian Machado Garry, who holds a record of 17-1 currently.

The Irish fighter appears confident as he told ESPN MMA, “If you look at the people we’ve fought, if you look at my last five opponents and Islam’s last five opponents, in my opinion, it’s not a discussion whose are more difficult.” Now it's for time to tell what awaits in the future for the fighters.