Islam Makhachev praises 'real champion' Alexander Volkanovski as Australian asks to be 'kept busy' after defeat

Islam Makhachev praised Alexander Volkanovski after he beat the Australian to retain the UFC lightweight championship.

Makhachev defeated Volkanovski earlier in the year in his first defence of the belt with a unanimous decision, and after Charles Oliveira withdrew through injury, Volkanovski stepped back into the Octagon.

Currently the featherweight champion, he was stopped in his bid to become a two-division belt-holder with a first-round knockout after he was set up by Makhachev’s switch from low to high kicking.

Speaking after his win in Abu Dhabi, Makhachev thanked his team and the crowd.

He said: “Well, coach, I have a great team. Did this in the locker room, always training, push me very hard. That’s why I’m champion today, and it’s not like Australia.

“Here is my second home. All fans, this is because of you because you always support me. Thank you.”

Discussing his tactics, he added: “I showed him first of all a couple of low kicks, and body kicks and I just changed to high kicks.

“This was our plan and we were training the last couple of months for the Oliviera fight and nothing changed for Volkanovski.

“But I want to say thank you to this guy, he’s a real champion. You have to turn on the light to defeat this guy. He’s gonna fight all five rounds, he’ll never give up.”

Volkanovski conceded he had been beaten by the better man, saying: “Just obviously a great setup, a good kick. He’s obviously seen something. It’s hard, I don’t like losing, it hurts, but he’s a great champion, what do you do?

“I back myself every single time and I still stand by that: always back yourself. Islam’s one man where you don’t back yourself if you don’t prepare properly, because look how good he is. Credit to him.”

At 35, Volkanovski showed no intention of stepping away from the sport and said he wanted to get back to action to fight at featherweight once again.

He said: “I just want to say to the UFC: keep me busy, because I don’t do well when I’m not fighting.

“I’m ready to come back in January, obviously go back down to featherweight, my job now is done here.”

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