Volkanovski Plans Dagestan Hunting Trip With Makhachev After UFC 333
Volkanovski wants two days of hunting in the mountains with Makhachev, but Islam says that is not enough.
Alexander Volkanovski has his eyes on a featherweight title defense against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on October 24, but the Australian champion is already making post-fight plans that nobody saw coming: a camping trip to Dagestan with Islam Makhachev.
Volkanovski proposed a short stay in the Dagestani mountains during a playful exchange with Makhachev captured by Championship Rounds. "I might not have two, three years but I will have two or three days," Volkanovski said. "So two, three days hunting in the mountains, cooking."
Makhachev was not impressed with the timeline. "Two, three days is not enough, bro. Not enough," the lightweight champion fired back, pushing for a visit of two to three weeks instead.
When Volkanovski mentioned he would need to clear the trip with his wife, Makhachev had a solution ready. "Come, bring your princess daughters and come," he told Volkanovski.
Volkanovski laughed but did not shut it down. "I will have to actually ask my wife. But she will love it," he said.
The two have fought twice for the lightweight title, with Makhachev winning both bouts, but the rivalry has produced a genuine friendship that has become one of the more unexpected developments in the UFC. Volkanovski, who turns 38 next month, is widely considered one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history and will look to extend his reign against Evloev before any Dagestani holiday plans take shape.
This is why I love this sport. Two guys who fought twice for a world title, left blood and sweat in the octagon, and now they're planning a hunting trip together in the mountains. You don't get that in the NFL.
Volkanovski wants two days. Makhachev wants three weeks. That negotiation is more entertaining than half the contract disputes Dana White deals with.
I genuinely hope this trip happens. Volk in Dagestan, riding horses, cooking lamb over a fire pit while Makhachev tells him he's staying another week. The content alone would break the internet. And the fact that it comes from real mutual respect makes it even better.
First things first, though. Volk has to handle Evloev at UFC 333. No small task. But if he pulls that off, he's earned every minute in those mountains.
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