Published 02/23/2023, 12:15 PM EST
The main event of UFC 284 was perhaps the toughest fight in Islam Makhachev‘s MMA career. He won the fight against Alexander Volkanovski via a unanimous decision. Both fighters went back and forth with strikes and grappling during their bout. However, BJJ great Craig Jones believes that the Russian’s sambo background is not as good as people think it is.
Islam Makhachev was successful in his first title defense in the UFC. He managed to win in front of an energetic Australian crowd, cheering on for their hometown favorite, Volkanovski. The win at UFC 284 has extended the lightweight champ’s winning streak to 12 fights. It is the longest-running active streak currently in the UFC.
February 12, 2023, Perth, Perth, Australia, Australia: PERTH, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 12: R-L Islam Makhachev battles Alex Volkanovski in their Lightweight title fight during the UFC 284 event at Rac Arena on February 12, 2023 in Perth, Australia. Perth Australia – ZUMAp175 20230212_zsa_p175_146 Copyright: xMattxDaviesx
However, Australian submission grappler, Craig Jones, believes that ‘The Great’ could have won the fight. He recently posted a video on YouTube and reviewed the UFC lightweight title bout at UFC 284.
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Craig Jones calls Islam Makhachev’s sambo “fake”
The 31-year-old grappler claims that Sambo isn’t as good as many people think it is. Jones said, “Sambo is fake. We knew that going into this fight.” He mentioned how Islam Makhachev won many fights with submission victories. Jones also mentioned that those wins came mostly against strikers. “Everyone was terrified of these Dagestanis and I think all it took was a few Australians to work out a way to crack this code,” said Jones.
However, he doesn’t count out Makhachev‘s wrestling ability. Jones said, “Islam is an excellent freestyle wrestler. He has excellent throws as well, combines the wrestling and the judo very well.”
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Jones added, “He has sambo, but sambo is not the pure best grappling art.” He mentions that whenever sambo guys fight jiu-jitsu guys, the former has managed to come out on top on many occasions.
Moreover, Craig Jones also mentioned how well the featherweight champ performed in the fight. Jones thinks that Volkanovski would have won the fight if he had a little more time. He said, “He [Volkanovski] was able to win a bunch of grappling exchanges. he was even able to get on top in the fifth round.” Jones then mentioned, “Even one more minute, he probably would’ve got the finish.”
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Craig Jones believes that a rematch between Makhachev and Volkanovski is absolutely necessary, even if the featherweight and the lightweight division comes to a hold. It was a close fight, according to him. We will have to wait and see when the fight will take place in the days to come.
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