AUSSIE ‘ BEAST’ ALL SET TO SHOW HE’S NOT CRAZY
AUSTRALIAN boxing star Tim Tszyu has branded Alexander Volkanovski “a beast” and is tipping him to shock the world.
Tszyu expects Volkanovski to break that famed Dagestani wrestling hype when he headlines for the first time on home soil against UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev on Sunday.
The undefeated super welterweight’s claim comes after Volkanovski looked in outstanding shape at the official UFC 284 weigh-ins on Saturday.
The UFC featherweight king was first on to the scales inside the team hotel, with Australia’s first UFC champion Robert Whittaker declaring: “First on the scales and last on the card, which gives him 30-plus hours to rehydrate and refuel. People also don’t give enough credit to his size. He has to cut to make this weight and he’s moving up.”
Then around noon, Volkanovski again proved the undeniable star when he and Makhachev met, amicably, at the official weigh-ins.
Volkanovski received a huge cheer from the raucous crowd at RAC Arena.
For Makhachev, meanwhile, it was, again, all boos.
“Let’s go,” Volk shouted to the crowd after jumping from the scales before then adding: “Tomorrow we put it on the line … tomorrow I’m coming for f***ing everything.”
And Makachev?
“Love you guys,” he told the same mob soon after. “But tomorrow you’ll be upset.”
The biggest drama from the official weigh-ins occurred during an undercard square off, when featherweight Melsik Baghdasaryan grabbed briefly at the throat of Australia’s Josh Culibao. The pair were quickly separated.
Behind the scenes, Volkanovski has worked overtime on getting himself ready for the move up against Makhachev who himself was forced to strip off behind a towel before weighing bang on 70kg.
Despite being on a tear that currently stretches 10 years and 22 fights – and sat No.1 in the UFC pound for pound rankings – Volkanovski remains a $3.75 TAB outsider in betting.
Tszyu said the odds give Australians a great chance to make some real cash.
“Because Alexander Volkanovski – beast,” Tszyu declared. “And No. 1 pound for pound for a reason.
“He’s not only smashing it up right now, but has all the tools required to stay the best fighter in the UFC.”
Wollongong native Volkanovski, a former boxer and rugby league player, is attempting to become only the fifth two-weight mixed martial arts champion.
“I ain’t scared of a challenge, I know I can rise to the occasion,” said the 34-year-old.
“I know it’s going to make me better and that’s what people remember. He’ll sit there and say I’m crazy for stepping up, I think that’s weak looking at it that way. I think you should challenge yourself. You should put yourself in these positions. Don’t look at what might happen if things go wrong. Let’s look at what happens if things go right.”