Islam Makhachev is cautioned by Dan Hooker to not underestimate Alexander Volkanovski

“For Islam to turn around very quickly and to call out Alexander Volkanovski, who I feel like they’re doing it because obviously it’s a chance at the No. 1 pound-for-pound (spot), but I feel they’re kind of looking down and being like, ‘Oh man, we’ll go snatch up this featherweight real quick,” Hooker said on a radio interview.

“But they’re really in for a whole lot of trouble. That’s an incredibly difficult man to hold on the ground. Like, he keeps saying he’s short and stuff like that, but holding him on the ground, holding a guy that’s that stocky on the ground is incredibly difficult. So I feel like he’s in for an incredibly tough test in Alex Volkanovski in Perth.”

Even though he is best known for his work at the featherweight division, Volkanovski has competed at weights as high as 170 pounds. Volkanovski is undefeated in the UFC, having successfully defended his title four times. He is currently seeking a dual championship. He was the alternate for Makhachev vs. Oliveira and is now primed for his opportunity to win the 155-pound title.