By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.
Accept
WhatsNew2DayWhatsNew2Day
  • Home
  • Australia
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Entertainment
  • Gaming
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • US
  • World
Reading: UFC star Alexander Volkanovski’s coach backs MMA cheating allegations against Islam Makhachev
Share
Aa
WhatsNew2DayWhatsNew2Day
Aa
  • Home
  • Contact
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Australia
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Entertainment
  • Gaming
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • US
  • World
Follow US
© 2022 WhatsNew2Day News Network. All Rights Reserved.
WhatsNew2Day > Australia > UFC star Alexander Volkanovski’s coach backs MMA cheating allegations against Islam Makhachev
Australia

UFC star Alexander Volkanovski’s coach backs MMA cheating allegations against Islam Makhachev

Last updated: 2023/02/25 at 9:10 PM
Jacky 4 weeks ago
Share
Joe Lopez, Alexander Volkanovski's coach, has revealed information that he had heard about Islam Makhachev's team requesting IVs for the blockbuster title fight at UFC 284
SHARE

Alexander Volkanovski’s coach Joe Lopez has revealed information that he had heard about Islam Makhachev’s team requesting IVs for the blockbuster title fight at UFC 284.

The Russian denied Volkanovski’s victory on home soil by winning the thrilling main event in Perth by a unanimous decision 28-27, 28-27, 29-26.

The loss was the Australian’s first in the UFC after 22 consecutive wins, but Volkanovski and many fans and pundits insisted he should have been given the call.

After the fight, New Zealand UFC star Dan Hooker made bombshell claims that Makhachev had “cheated” by using an intravenous (IV) drip to help rehydrate him ahead of the fight.

Joe Lopez, Volkanovski’s longtime head coach, told Daily Mail Australia he heard that IV bags had been sent to the Russian team’s rooms before the superfight.

Joe Lopez, Alexander Volkanovski’s coach, has revealed information that he had heard about Islam Makhachev’s team requesting IVs for the blockbuster title fight at UFC 284

The loss was the Australian's first in the UFC after 22 consecutive wins, but Volkanovski and many fans and pundits insisted he should have been given the decision (Joe Lopez pictured with Alex Volkanovski)

The loss was the Australian’s first in the UFC after 22 consecutive wins, but Volkanovski and many fans and pundits insisted he should have been given the decision (Joe Lopez pictured with Alex Volkanovski)

“I heard about the IV before the fight,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

“We didn’t say anything to Alex. We kept that to ourselves. We knew about it then.

“There’s a smoking gun over there. I find it uncomfortable, unless I witness it, it’s hard for me to accuse anyone. What we do know, and it’s hearsay, (is that) there was an IV company that they approached and went to the hotel room.

“They’ve ordered IVs for that room. There are too many stories.’

The use of an IV to rehydrate was banned in the UFC in October 2015 following a decision by the USADA.

This rule was relaxed slightly in 2019, with dehydrated fighters now allowed to take 100ml or less of IVs in any 12-hour period, as long as it’s administered by a medical professional.

UFC fighters who break the rules can be banned from the sport for up to two years.

Lopez believes the rules were probably broken, but it will be hard to prove.

“When the girl (from the IV delivery service) got there, they apparently wanted her to drop off the bags (and leave), but she said she couldn’t. It was against company policy,” Lopez said.

UFC fighters who break the rules can be banned from the sport for up to two years (photo by Islam Makhachev)

UFC fighters who break the rules can be banned from the sport for up to two years (photo by Islam Makhachev)

Lopez believes the rules were probably broken, but it will be hard to prove

Lopez believes the rules were probably broken, but it will be hard to prove

“They (the Russian team) said they wanted her to put some vitamins in the IV bag and she said, ‘I don’t know what that is, I’m not doing it’.

“Those guys are quite intimidating and started bouncing her and she called her boss and the boss said, leave the bags and get out of here, and that’s what they did.”

Lopez says he has no problem using IVs to rehydrate — as long as the rules are clear and all fighters are on the same page. But he thinks some fighters are breaking the rules.

“I hope they put an end to it. Either everyone uses it or no one uses it,” he said.

“I have texts and stuff I’ve seen from certain people in the UFC saying 90% of the UFC roster use IVs and stuff. I just wrote back, we are probably the 10% that don’t.

“Some of these guys take nine hours to get back to normal (after weight loss). You get an IV and within 20 minutes you are back to normal.

Lopez says use of IVs is concerning because it can mask use of performance-enhancing drugs

Lopez says use of IVs is concerning because it can mask use of performance-enhancing drugs

Islam Makhachev's team has denied claims that he used an IV before the fight, and no further evidence has emerged to show the Russian did anything illegal while rehydrating.

Islam Makhachev’s team has denied claims that he used an IV before the fight, and no further evidence has emerged to show the Russian did anything illegal while rehydrating.

“The bad thing about them is that they use them to mask other things — diuretics or performance-enhancing drugs — it masks all of that, and that’s why they stopped.”

Islam Makhachev’s team has denied claims that he used an IV before the fight, and no further evidence has emerged that the Russian did anything illegal while rehydrating in fight week.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to numerous IV delivery companies in Perth to comment, but none have any information on the matter at time of publication.

Despite losing to the lightweight crown in Perth, Volkanovski has maintained his No. 1 ranking in the pound-for-pound rankings.

You Might Also Like

Twice tour: Aussie K-pop fans furious as Ticketek glitch led to massive wait times

Deadly Marburg virus causes outbreak in ANOTHER African country for the first time

Transfer Talk: Juventus Track USMNT Star Timothy Weah

The Voice referendum: Anthony Albanese chokes when he reveals the wording of the question

Papua New Guinea ‘black flight’ halted in Monto, Queensland, while five arrested over 52kg haul of methamphetamine

TAGGED: Alexander, Allegations, backs, cheating, coach, Islam, Makhachev, mma, star, UFC, Volkanovskis
Jacky February 25, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Share
Previous Article Zack Davidson leads young Mater Dei boys' basketball team to Division 1 title Zack Davidson leads young Mater Dei boys’ basketball team to Division 1 title
Next Article Federal environmental authorities have ordered a halt to the shipment of contaminated waste from the site of a burning train derailment in eastern Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border. Environmental Protection Agency orders to pause cleanup of toxic waste from East Palestine

Latest

K-pop fans are furious at ticketek booking agency after an online error prevented them from buying tickets for Korean girl group Twice's upcoming Australian tour (pictured in 2019)
Twice tour: Aussie K-pop fans furious as Ticketek glitch led to massive wait times
Australia
The Walt Disney Company will host a major LGBTQ conference at its Florida resort later this year after clashing with Gov. Ron DeSantis over gay rights issues.
Disney challenges DeSantis by hosting the world’s largest LGBTQ corporate conference
News
Raquel Leviss Prepares To 'Take Responsibility' Ahead Of 'Vanderpump Rules' Reunion
Raquel Leviss Prepares To ‘Take Responsibility’ Ahead Of ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Reunion
Entertainment
warriors vs.  Mavericks - NBA Live Game - March 23, 2023 |  ESPN
warriors vs. Mavericks – NBA Live Game – March 23, 2023 | ESPN
Sports
planetary alignment
5 planets will parade across the sky in a rare astronomical event, as an asteroid the size of a skyscraper approaches Earth
News
Candid: Demi Lovato's younger sister Madison De La Garza opened up about her sobriety in a new interview with E!  News
Demi Lovato’s sister Madison De La Garza, 21, talks about getting sober
US

nba 2k23 mt

© WhatsNew2Day News Network. All Rights Reserved. Email: contact@whatsnew2day.com

  • Home
  • Contact
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?