Alexander Volkanovski explains how Islam Makhachev KO affected his mindset against Ilia Topuria



Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski put on one of the most well-rounded displays of mixed martial arts in the sport's history when they clashed for the lightweight title at UFC 284. Their rematch, however, could not have been a starker contrast.

Volkanovski lost to Makhachev via unanimous decision in their first fight, but suffered a knockout defeat in round one of their rematch. Just four months later, 'The Great' was defending his featherweight title against arguably the hardest hitter below 170 pounds, Ilia Topuria.


The Australian faced Topuria at UFC 298, where the former featherweight king was defeated in devastating fashion via knockout in round two.

Ahead of the fight, Volkanovski was adamant that his KO loss to Makhachev would not affect his mindset against 'El Matador'. However, during a recent interview with Demetrious Johnson, the 36-year old shared the exact moment he felt the effects of the KO loss at UFC 294.


He said this:


"No one could have changed my mind... They're like, 'But you're coming off a knockout loss. It messes with your confidence and all that.' I'm calling bulls**t on that, I didn't believe any of that. You couldn't have told me [any different]. The only time I maybe felt something a little bit was when I was in the cage [against Topuria]. That's when I was like, 'Alright, maybe there is something to this.'"


Catch Volkanovski discussing his KO loss to Islam Makhachev below (48:15):


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