Alexander Volkanovski calls for immediate title rematch with Islam Makhachev: ‘Give the people what they want’

Alexander Volkanovski UFC 284 Islam Makhachev rematch

Undisputed UFC featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has called for an immediate title re-run with lightweight division pacesetter, Islam Makhachev – having previously dropped a close, unanimous decision loss to the Russian earlier this month at UFC 284

Volkanovski, the current undisputed featherweight champion, headlined UFC 284 earlier this month in Perth, Australia – taking on Dagestan native, Makhachev for the latter’s undisputed lightweight crown.

Suffering a close, unanimous decision loss – which also came as the New South Wales native’s first under the banner of the UFC, Volkanovski immediately called for a title re-run with Makhachev in the aftermath of the Australia event.

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Alexander Volkanovski calls for rematch with Islam Makhachev

And in the weeks removed from the matchup, Alexander Volkanovski has called for Makhachev to present fans a rematch.

“Let’s run it back and give the people what they want! @MAKHACHEVMMA (Islam Makhachev),” Alexander Volkanovski tweeted.

Enjoying a promotional-perfect run at the featherweight limit prior to his judging loss against Makhachev, Volkanovski most recently defeated former champion, Max Holloway in a unanimous decision win of his own at UFC 276 back in July of last year in the pair’s trilogy title fight.

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Expected to return to the featherweight limit ahead of his championship outing against Makhchev earlier this month ‘Down Under’ – Volkanovski made the walk following an interim title fight between Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett, with the Mexican striker landing the interim crown with a second round triangle submission stoppage. 

As for Makhachev, the American Kickboxing Academy staple managed to land his first successful lightweight title defense with his judging win over Volkanovski – having captured the vacant title in October of last year with a second round arm-triangle submission win over former champion, Charles Oliveira.

In the time since his win at UFC 284, Makhachev has also welcomed a move to the welterweight limit in pursuit of a second Octagon crown.