Islam Makhachev will run it back with Alexander Volkanovski in the future, the Russian's head coach Javier Mendez believes.

Makhachev came out on top when the pair went head to head at UFC 284.

The Russian lightweight champion retained his title after outpointing Volkanovski over the course of five rounds earlier this month.

Not everyone was happy with the decision however as Joe Rogan struggled to hide his amazement once the result was read out.

And according to American Kickboxing Academy trainer Mendez, it was a lot more difficult than he had been expecting.

How did Javier Mendez react to Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski?

“It was definitely a challenge,” Mendez told Submission Radio.

“Alex, he actually became the challenge Khabib told me that he was gonna be. He felt that Alex was gonna be the toughest challenge for Islam, and that Islam was gonna have to grind it out through the end. That’s what he felt.

"And I said, well, I didn’t know, cause the way I looked at Islam, he looked fantastic in training. But Khabib had a feeling that it was gonna be a tougher fight than I anticipated myself. So, it was exactly what Khabib thought it was.

"It was a real tough fight. We got pound-for-pound for a reason, but we beat it from a guy that is the greatest of all-time in the featherweight division and one of the greats of all-time, he’s gonna be, no doubt.”

READ MORE: UFC 284: Islam Makhachev mentions Turkey & Syria in post-fight interview

Will Makhachev fight Volkanovski again?

Mendez also doesn't think this is the last time that fans will get to see them compete against each other inside the cage.

“I definitely think the UFC is gonna want to see a rematch, so I don’t see no reason why they wouldn’t do a rematch,” he added.

“I think it would be great. I think the fans would love it. I think Islam would be down for it also. And obviously Alex is.

"Because, I mean, come on now, he calls himself Alexander the Great, and he lives up to that name. So, there’s a reason — and he’s such a gentleman. He’s a competitor.

"He feels he won, but that’s the way you’re supposed to feel. And he’s got the right attitude, and yeah, I think at some point they probably will do a rematch.

“When they collide again it’s gonna be a different fight, different adversity for both sides. It’s not gonna be easy for both sides. No way.

"But let’s see what happens. Let’s see what’s in the cards. I’m sure Yair has got the next calling, and let’s see what happens from there.”

READ MORE: UFC 284 results: Makhachev defends lightweight belt, Rodriguez beats Emmett

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