Alexander Volkanovski had lost to Islam Makhachev in the lightweight title fight in UFC 284. The loss was a big deal for Volkanovski who had moved from featherweight division to lightweight to challenge Makhachev for the title. After the loss, Volkanovski had claimed that he was the real winner and wanted a rematch against Makhachev. Some MMA experts had also raised a red flag over the unanimous decision in Makhachev's favour by the judges.
In a recent interview with James Lynch, World No. 11 featherweight fighter Bryce Mitchell has backed Volkanovski as the real winner and claimed that the UFC 284 main event was 'rigged'.
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“That fight was rigged as f**k, dude. He brings in all that money from the Middle East. When you’re bringing in that kind of oil money and all that Middle Eastern money, bro. All the richest people in the world are from the Middle East, I guess they just f*****g paid the judges," said Mitchell.
Volkanovski's rival Mitchell further emphasised that the fight was rigged and he went on to claim that the judges can be influenced through bribery.
"I know Alexander Volkanovski won a decision, I don’t think nothing, I know he won and I know that shit was rigged. I’m not f****g stupid, you can’t tell me that shit wasn’t rigged, I’m not buying it. You can pay the judges whatever the f**k you want to pay them, I know Alexander Volkanovski won that fight,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}"I know Alexander Volkanovski won a decision, I don’t think nothing, I know he won and I know that shit was rigged. I’m not f****g stupid, you can’t tell me that shit wasn’t rigged, I’m not buying it. You can pay the judges whatever the f**k you want to pay them, I know Alexander Volkanovski won that fight,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, recently Makhachev challenged the welterweight champion Leon Edwards. After Edwards' victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286, Makhachev took to twitter to challenge 'Rocky' and wrote "I want Leon next, October in Abu Dhabi".
However, UFC President Dana White has announced that Colby Covington will be the next opponent for Edwards.