Alex Volkanovski's Explosive Claim: 'I'll Kill Sambo!' Is He Ready for Makhachev Rematch?

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Craig Jones, the Jiu-Jitsu Champion and president of the Gabby Garcia fan club, shared his thoughts on the upcoming rematch between Alex Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev. Jones discussed how he found out about the fight, his reaction to the news, and his preparations for the short-notice bout. He also reflected on the lessons he learned from Makhachev’s grappling in his previous fight and expressed his belief that Makhachev’s grappling style is “fake.” Jones also commented on Volkanovski’s chances in the rematch and what it would mean for him if he were to win. Let’s dive into the details.

Finding Out About the Fight

Jones explained that he found out about the fight between Volkanovski and Makhachev while considering a trip to Abu Dhabi to watch Islam Oliva. However, at the last minute, Oliva informed him not to buy the flight, as there might be a rematch between Volkanovski and Makhachev. Intrigued by the possibility, Jones immediately jumped on the next flight back home.

Reaction to the News

When asked about his reaction to the news of the rematch, Jones admitted that he had a feeling the first fight might fall apart. He had a hunch that Makhachev might pull out, and his prediction came true when Makhachev suffered a massive cut. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Jones expressed his excitement about the rematch.

Preparations for the Short-Notice Fight

Given the short notice for the fight, Jones was asked about his preparations. He revealed that for the previous fight, he had spent a lot of time on submission defense, but it turned out to be unnecessary as Makhachev didn’t pose any submission threats. This time, Jones plans to focus on getting out of the body triangle and avoiding Makhachev’s back control. He believes that Makhachev’s grappling style lacks submission threats and intends to capitalize on that.

Lessons from Makhachev’s Grappling

Reflecting on Makhachev’s grappling in his previous fight against Volkanovski, Jones expressed his satisfaction. He had made predictions about Makhachev’s grappling style in an interview before the fight, and they all came true. Despite receiving hate messages from internet trolls, Jones found it satisfying to prove them wrong. He also shared his opinion that Makhachev’s grappling style is a combination of catch wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu, but he believes it doesn’t truly exist.

Volkanovski’s Chances in the Rematch

Jones agreed with Javier Mendes, Volkanovski’s coach, who stated that Volkanovski would take more chances in the rematch and throw more strikes because he won’t be afraid of the takedown. Jones believes that Volkanovski’s confidence will be boosted after their first fight, and he expects a more action-packed beginning to this rematch.

Taking Risks and Legacy

Jones acknowledged that it’s not something you see every day for champions like Volkanovski to take such risks. He believes that Volkanovski’s decision to accept the rematch shows his confidence and belief that he can win. Jones respects Volkanovski’s mindset and sees this fight as an opportunity for him to further solidify his legacy in the sport.

Disproving a Martial Art

If Volkanovski pulls off the win, Jones believes it will disprove Makhachev’s grappling style and add to Volkanovski’s legacy. He expressed his frustration with martial arts that have lingered on despite being proven ineffective. Jones sees this rematch as an opportunity to put an end to the hype surrounding Makhachev’s grappling style.

The Russian Dancer

Jones humorously mentioned that when he first heard about Makhachev’s grappling style, he thought they were referring to the Brazilian dance style called “samba.” He jokingly stated that a Brazilian dance from Makhachev would be a more frightening prospect. This lighthearted comment adds a touch of humor to the interview.

Predictions for the Fight

In terms of how he sees the fight playing out, Jones mentioned that Makhachev loves the arm triangle submission. If Makhachev attempts any arm triangle, Jones plans to counter with a buggy choke. Additionally, if Makhachev tries to take the back from the turtle position, Jones intends to go for a kneebar. Jones is confident in his submission skills and believes he can submit Makhachev regardless of where the fight goes.

Conclusion

In this interview, Craig Jones shared his thoughts on the upcoming rematch between Alex Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev. He discussed how he found out about the fight, his reaction to the news, and his preparations for the short-notice bout. Jones also reflected on the lessons he learned from Makhachev’s grappling in their previous fight and expressed his belief that Makhachev’s grappling style is “fake.” He commented on Volkanovski’s chances in the rematch and what it would mean for him if he were to win. Jones also added a touch of humor by joking about Makhachev being a Russian dancer. Overall, Jones is confident in his submission skills and believes he can submit Makhachev regardless of where the fight goes.

With the rematch between Volkanovski and Makhachev just around the corner, fans are eagerly anticipating the outcome. Will Volkanovski be able to take more chances and secure a victory? Or will Makhachev prove his grappling style to be effective once again? Only time will tell.