Alexander Volkanovski has the best chance to defeat Islam Makhachev, according to Sean O'Malley.

At UFC 284, Makhachev will attempt to make his first lightweight championship defence. The current featherweight champion Volkanovski, who is ranked as the best fighter pound-for-pound, will face the Russian. In reference to the February 11 155-pound title match, O'Malley stated the following on an edition of the BrOMalley Show:

“What I was trying to say about Alexander Volkanovski, he’s mastered his style. He’s shorter, he’s compact. Is he gonna be able to get taken down and held down? You would assume yes if you watched Islam’s fights.”

“You would think, ok, why would Alexander Volkanovski be able to stop Islam, but I think if anyone can do it, it is Alexander Volkanovski. I do think if anyone can beat Islam, it’s me or Alexander Volkanovski.”

Although Volkanovski is well-respected in the MMA world, he is over-weight to take on the brutal Russian. Makhachev has won eleven straight UFC fights since losing his first match in 2015. In Perth, Australia, "The Great" aims to snap his winning streak by pulling off an unexpected victory.