Alex Volkanovski agrees to fight Islam Makhachev in UFC blockbuster in Australia

Alex Volkanovski has agreed to take on rising superstar Islam Makhachev in a UFC blockbuster fight on Australian soil next year.

Alex Volkanovski (right) agrees to fight Islam Makhachev.

Australia is set to host one of the most tantalising UFC fights in history after Alex Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev agreed to square off for the lightweight championship.

On Sunday morning (AEDT), Makhachev claimed the vacant lightweight belt with a dominant second round submission victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.

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The victory cemented the Russian’s status as one of the sport’s rising superstars and kept his undefeated record (11-0) in tact.

Speaking post-fight, Makhachev’s coach and UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov called out Volkanovski, the No. 1 pound-for-pound ranked fighter and lightweight challenger.

“Now is our plan, fly all the way to Australia and fight in the pound-for-pound king’s back yard, Volkanovski,” Nurmagomedov said.

Makhachev then added: “Where is the short guy?”.

Volkanovski was in attendance at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi as a back-up fighter and responded by stepping into the octagon to accept the challenge.

“The lightweight on the line, the pound-for-pound No. 1 on the line. Let’s do it,” the Australian said before shaking hands with Makhachev.

Alex Volkanovski (right) agrees to fight Islam Makhachev.

Volkanovski is the featherweight champion but has proved all he can in that division and has repeatedly expressed a desire to move up a heavier weight class, win the lightweight belt and become a rare double UFC champion across multiple divisions.

UFC boss Dana White said he had no idea Makhachev was going to call Volkanovski out but confirmed the Aussie will get his shot at the lightweight title.

It sets up a mouthwatering clash between a legacy-chasing Volkanovski and a feared fighter Makhachev, who is mentored by UFC royalty in Nurmagomedov.

Volkanovski will face arguably the toughest challenge of his opponent yet against the taller and heavier Nurmagomedov, who is a renowned grappler.

A Volkanovski-Nurmagomedov title fight would likely headline the UFC 280 card in Perth in February.

Earlier this month it was announced Perth would host Australia’s first UFC card since UFC 243 in Melbourne in 2019.

Organisers are predicting a stacked card that is set to feature a host of Australian fighters including Volkanovski and the likes of Rob Whittaker, Tai Tuivasa, along with rising stars Jack Della Maddalena and Jack Jenkins.

Islam Makhachev celebrates with his team after defeating Charles Oliveira. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)