WATCH: Islam Makhachev’s coach plans EXACT knockout against Alexander Volkanovski moments before UFC 294

Video of Coach Magomed surfaces, training Islam Makhachev in consecutive kicking that helped defeat Alexander Volkanovski.

WATCH: Islam Makhachev’s coach plans EXACT knockout against Alexander Volkanovski moments before UFC 294

Islam Makhachev training in specific sequences before his titular rematch (Source: Twitter)

UFC 294 saw the brutal head-kick KO of Alexander Volkanovski by Islam Makahchev. Deployed by the lightweight champion in the rematch bout, the kick consequently sealed the opponent’s fate. Volkanovski wobbled back considerably after the kick. Makhachev followed up with ground-and-pound on the downed opponent until the match had to be stopped. Former ISKA kickboxing World Champion and Makhachev’s current coach, Javier Mendez is very happy with the results.

Anatomy of a Fighter, the monthly combative sports web series, had been filming a documentary leading up to the fight. The video “Anatomy of UFC 294 Finale” covered much of the Volkanovski vs. Makhachev 2 training as well. The whole video captures moments from both before and after the fight.

The video shows Magomed and Makhachev sparring. Magomed sets him up for consecutive head and body kicks, which is what Makhachev drained his opponent with in-ring. In the video, Mendez allures to Makhachev’s sparring trainer Magomed, and says:

FS Video
He [Magomed] is the one who did it! He said coach, we are gonna go body, body, head - Voila! He did it. He doesn't want to take the credit. He needs to take the credit. It was his idea. His gameplan.

Mendez was accordingly all praises about fighter Makhachev’s skills and the result it got him. The locker room saw a lot of happy faces after the win. Barring this, however, the coach has put forth that there are always variables in a fight. Speaking to Submission Radio, he said:

There was unclarity [on the first fight]. I wanted it to be clear and definitive. You know, hey, it’s over, move on, that’s it. I wanted that for that reason for me personally, and obviously for Islam – but me, too. [On the second fight] I’ll tell you what, in all honesty, I’m glad it didn’t go more than one round, because then there was going to be doubt again – not enough training, not enough this, not enough that.
https://twitter.com/home_of_fight/status/1716819535523893447?s=20

UFC CEO Dana White had expressed interest in rebooking a rematch with Charles Oliveira, after UFC 294. Oliveira was to formerly face Makhachev before he received a cut in training. But Makhachev didn’t seem too keen and sold on the idea. He had already won over Oliveira at UFC 280. Mendez has said that he is of the opinion that Oliveira might just have lost his chance at this particular bout, for now.

Joe Rogan praises the ‘perfect’ head-kick KO of Alexander Volkanovski by Islam Makhachev

The UFC 294 Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski rematch highlight was obviously the vicious under-shin kick to the head. With one of several kicks; Volkanovski was thrust back to the Octagon ring and swarmed down with definitive strikes. Although the bout lasted only about three minutes of the first round, commentator Joe Rogan noticed a lot of improvements on Makhachev’s part.

Joe Rogan and Islam Makhachev
Joe Rogan and Islam Makhachev (Source: IMAGO)

Previously, the two had faced off at UFC 284, where Makhachev won by relying on heavy-handed definitive striking and tactful grappling. This time, Rogan exclaimed, the Dagestani had improved subtle nods specific to Volkanovski’s style. Speaking at The Joe Rogan Experience: Fight Companion, he praised Makhachev for making such improvements in a short while. While also marveling at having knocked Volkanovski out with a head-kick.

Makhachev had previously defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in round 2 to claim the vacant belt. But his overall striking was considered weak in the matchup. This time, however, defeating the featherweight champion by a knockout had earned Makahchev substantial praise.

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