Conor McGregor tells Alexander Volkanovski how to beat Islam Makhachev

Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor has given Alexander Volkanovski his advice on how to beat Islam Makachev.

His comment came after Makachev’s win over Charles Oliveira by submission for the lightweight title at UFC 280 last Saturday. Rumors arose that Makhachev would then take on Volkanovski, the current UFC Featherweight Champion.

It started with McGregor posting a side-by-side picture of Makhachev and Volkanovski on Twitter, saying, “My two old belts. On two little ticks. This fight does 10 buys.”

Volkanovski then replied to the tweet with McGregor’s 2014 quote, saying, “Winners focus on winning. Losers focus on winners.” They then had a brief conversation, and McGregor gave the Australian some advice on how to beat Makhachev.

“And we dance on. Good. I was in your exact spot one time don’t forget. 145 coming up. Good luck. I’d say go heavier. Rugby days,” McGregor said. “Be a bowling ball. That’s how I’d do it as you. Your conditioning right now as I see it, I don’t know. But bowling ball style for you your best chance.”

The Irishman added that Volkanovski should “Aim to head butt the chest cavity.”

Previously, McGregor took a jab at Makhachev and former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, saying on Twitter that he had “all the tools” to beat the Russian fighters. The post, which started with him congratulating Makhachev for his title, has now been removed.

McGregor still openly holds a grudge toward Nurmagomedov, who defeated him at UFC 229. Nurmagomedov announced his retirement after his UFC 254 win over Justin Gaethje, leaving with a 29-0-0 record. Meanwhile, McGregor has been on a hiatus after breaking his leg in the fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

“Nice fight. nice performance. I have built all the tools to beat this style now Vs b4. Experience Vs . Face breaking shots from clinch and baby brain batter shots from bottom. And the rest of my repertoire yous know. Steel left leg. Cannon back hand. Wrist control,” McGregor said.

“The thought of shutting down this system of fighting with my own developed system is quite intriguing to me. Whoever of them against. It’s not personal. It’s a skill evaluation and a fight. Even thru generations. The imaafs, amateurs. A war of attrition. To the box.”