Islam Makhachev thinks Alexander Volkanovski should take time off after UFC 294 KO loss

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski stepped up when the UFC 294 main event fell apart.  When former lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira was forced out of the bout with champion Islam Makhachev, Volkanovski agreed to the rematch on 12 days notice.  

He and Makhachev fought to a decision in their first fight at UFC 284 in February.  At UFC 294 on Saturday, Makhachev finished “The Great” in the first round via head kick and punches.  

Following the loss, Volkanovski said that he intends defending his title against undefeated Ilia Topuria in January.  Makhachev thinks Volkanovski should take time off instead.  

“He has to (take a break),” Makhachev said during the UFC 294 post-fight press conference. “He has a big cut on his eye. He (was hit with) a very good kick. That’s why he has to take some rest, 100 percent.

“If he’s smart, if his team is smart, he has to take a couple of months rest because this is not like I choked him or body kick. This was a head kick. Not just his coach, but his doctor and his team have to make decision.”

UFC President Dana White is fine with Volkanovski fighting in January as long as he’s medically cleared.  

“Obviously he got head kick KO’ed tonight.  Let him go see the doctor.  Make sure that he’s okay.  Let’s give him time to recover.  Get some stitches in that eyes and then we’ll talk,” White said during the UFC 294 Post-fight Press Conference.  “If he’s medically cleared and he’s ready to turn around, love it.”