WATCH: Alexander Volkanovski summons BJJ icon for midnight rally to Australia for intense 10-day short notice showdown against Islam Makhachev

BJJ star Craig Jones is on his way to train the featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Jones will hope to provide all the required assistance to Volkanovksi ahead of Islam Makhachev rematch.

WATCH: Alexander Volkanovski summons BJJ icon for midnight rally to Australia for intense 10-day short notice showdown against Islam Makhachev

Alexander Volkanovski and Craig Jones (Source: Craig Jones Instagram)

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is set to face Islam Makhachev on short notice. The change to the UFC 294 card happened after the challenger fighter Charles Oliveira pulled out due to injury. This happened due to a cut in a sparring session. Volkanovski had summoned the aid of BJJ elite Craig Jones to prepare for his match in such a short period.

Recently, a video surfaced with Jones stating that Volk summoned him to prepare for a rematch with Makhachev. Jones stated that he got a call from Volkanovski and took the next flight to Australia for that very purpose. Jones is an Australian grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt competitor and coach. He is a close acquaintance of Alexander Volkanovski, whom he had trained for UFC 284 and UFC 290.

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Jones had prepared Volkanovski to defend his title against interim title holder Yair Rodriguez in July. Volkanovski had won the matchup with a triumphant third-round TKO finish. Now, Jones would aim to prepare Volk for the upcoming match with Makhachev. The fight remains tough for Volk as he had no time to prepare for the bout. However, Jones would help Volk to the best of his ability to counter Makhachev’s dominant wrestling.

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Jones is undoubtedly one of the most talented BJJ practitioners in the grappling spectrum. During the UFC 284 tourney, he helped Volkanovski shut down Makhachev’s grappling, unlike any of the Dagestani’s previous encounters. Consequently, the former fighter got high praise from all. Jones would aim to do the same once again.

Related: SHOCKING! Charles Oliveira pulls out from UFC 294 against Islam Makhachev; Alexander Volkanovski steps in

Alexander Volkanovski shares four-word reaction to short-notice clash with Islam Makhachev

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has a tough routine ahead of him. Following the exit of Charles Oliveira due to a training injury, he is now set to fight at UFC 294. In a title rematch, he faces his UFC 284 opponent, Islam Makhachev. Though he has a limited training span, he remains ecstatic about the opportunity.

Alexander Volkanovski
Alexander Volkanovski wants the ultimate challenge (Image Courtesy – Man of Many)

In a recent Instagram post, Volkanovski commented on his whole sentiment in just four words. At the “Contender Series” press conference, CEO Dana White stated that all it took was one phone call to Volkanovski for him to accept the fight. ‘The Great’ is now slated to face the reigning lightweight champion. This will be his second attempt to become a two-division UFC champion. Despite an electric performance, the first attempt at UFC 284 saw his defeat against Makhachev via controversial decision.

 UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 for the UFC lightweight title is thus slated to take place at Etihad Arena In Abu Dhabi On Saturday, October 21, 2023. If Volk could defeat Makhachev, it would become the biggest upset in UFC history.

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