The relationship between elite combat sports athletes is often defined by fierce animosity, trash-talk, and bitter rivalries that capture the attention of the media and fans alike. However, on rare occasions, two generational talents share the Octagon and emerge with a profound, mutual admiration that transcends competition. Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and reigning lightweight king Islam Makhachev share precisely this kind of dynamic, a bond forged through high-level combat, elite chess-match sequences, and a shared appreciation for the absolute pinnacle of mixed martial arts mastery.
More than two years after their unforgettable first encounter at UFC 284 in February 2023, Volkanovski continues to reflect fondly on the historic lightweight title bout. Although Volkanovski ultimately dropped a closely contested unanimous decision that night in Perth, Australia, the fight transcended the result on the judges’ scorecards. Widely celebrated as the Fight of the Year and hailed by analysts and fans as one of the greatest title fights in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the bout showcased the absolute peak of tactical mixed martial arts.
Since that momentous night, both fighters have routinely expressed admiration for one another, consistently acknowledging that the grueling five-round war brought out the very best versions of their respective athletic careers. Makhachev has frequently named Volkanovski as the toughest test of his professional mixed martial arts journey, noting the unique challenges the Australian’s relentless pressure, striking IQ, and defensive wrestling presented.
Appearing recently as a guest on the Kris Fade Show podcast, Volkanovski expanded deeply on those sentiments, offering a rare technical window into why he holds such a fond place in his heart for a fight that he officially lost. Speaking with candid enthusiasm, the Australian star explained that the bout satisfied a competitive hunger he rarely gets to experience against other opponents in the sport.
"I’ve heard him mention that, and I’ve mentioned it," Volkanovski said during the podcast appearance. "I loved that first fight so much because of — like, it’s weird, because I’m saying I love it as if it was easy. No, it wasn’t easy. What I loved about it was, no one had ever taken me that far when it comes to techniques."
For Volkanovski, who built his legendary reputation on suffocating pressure, exceptional conditioning, and a near-impenetrable defensive wrestling foundation, the bout with Makhachev was a masterclass in layered problem-solving. Throughout his career, Volkanovski has prided himself on his ability to neutralize opponents’ primary weapons, rarely finding himself trapped in sequences where his defensive answers run dry. Against Makhachev, however, the chess match reached a level of depth that few athletes in the world could ever hope to comprehend or replicate.
"Takedown defense is my thing. I’m pretty hard to hold down. I’ve got a lot of my own cool little tricks. A lot of times I don’t ever get to use all of them. So I might have an answer — someone does something great, and I’ll have an answer; we might only go two or three layers deep, but he took me three, four layers deep. He’d have a counter to this, then I would go there, and he would go there," Volkanovski explained.
The intricacy of those grappling and striking exchanges created a contest that Volkanovski believes will age like fine wine. As mixed martial arts continues to evolve and athletes develop a more sophisticated understanding of the sport’s nuances, the former featherweight champion predicts that future generations of fighters and coaches will examine the UFC 284 main event as a textbook example of high-level martial arts.
"So just for us to have such a technical fight — which I’m telling you, further down the track, people can study that and look deep into it, and be like, ‘Well, look at this, look at that!’ If they really start studying some of that stuff, they can see some magic techniques in there, and fundamentals," Volkanovski said. "The understanding of the game that we both had is something that it’s going to be hard to get two athletes with that type of knowledge putting it all on the line like we did."
It is precisely this shared tactical language and mutual comprehension of the sport’s complexities that laid the foundation for their enduring friendship outside the cage. While high-stakes rematches in mixed martial arts often breed tension, the path traveled by Makhachev and Volkanovski has steered entirely clear of traditional promotional bitterness.
Following their initial classic, the two elite athletes crossed paths again in October 2023 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. Brought together under dramatically different circumstances, Volkanovski accepted the rematch on short notice, stepping in to replace the injured Charles Oliveira just weeks before the event. On that night, Makhachev secured a definitive victory, stopping Volkanovski with a first-round knockout that brought a temporary halt to the Australian’s dual-division title ambitions.
Despite the abrupt and decisive finish of the second meeting, any lingering animosity or bitterness was entirely absent. Volkanovski harbors no resentment toward the lightweight champion for the outcome in Abu Dhabi, maintaining that their shared experiences inside and outside the cage have united them in a unique brotherhood of elite competitors. In fact, the relationship has evolved to the point where the two former rivals are actively coordinating international travel plans to spend time together in Makhachev’s home region of Dagestan.
"We are [going to Dagestan]," Volkanovski revealed during his podcast appearance, detailing the upcoming trip that promises a stark departure from the bright lights and high-pressure environments of UFC pay-per-view events. "It won’t be two or three years. I was like, ‘Maybe a few days,’ and he said, ‘That’s not long enough. Two-three weeks. Let’s go two-three weeks.’ So we’ll definitely do that. Obviously we’ll get some training in; we’ll do the cooking stuff, but even hunting. He does horseback hunting. Hunting on horseback. And I’m just like, wow!"
The prospect of Volkanovski traveling to the mountains of Dagestan to train, cook, and experience traditional horseback hunting alongside Makhachev offers fans a fascinating look at the human side of combat sports. Far away from championship belts, media obligations, and training camp secrecy, two of the greatest fighters of their generation are preparing to bond over cultural exchange and outdoor adventures.
For Volkanovski, the opportunity to collaborate on content, share culinary experiences, and immerse himself in Makhachev’s world represents the ultimate evolution of a rivalry that began with everything on the line. As he looks back on the technical brilliance of their first meeting and forward to the cultural experiences waiting for him in Dagestan, Volkanovski’s perspective remains anchored in profound mutual respect.
"We’ve done some cooking together. I love all that stuff. I love the content that we can get, and that’s just next level. So I can’t wait to go and do that with him," Volkanovski concluded.
