Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev, fight preview, why he accepted fight on short notice, analysis

Alexander Volkanovski revealed he was trying to set up his baby daughter Reign when the call came for a UFC fight proposal so brave he readily admits: ‘If I go in there and I lose, I may never have this title chance again.”

In what is shaping up to be one of the biggest fights in Australian sporting history, Volkanovski is set to take on reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev on just 11 days’ notice in Abu Dhabi.

In addition to putting the UFC featherweight king on the verge of ‘champion’ status this Sunday, he was also rewarded by UFC President Dana White with a huge new contract.

UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 | SUN 22 OCT 5am AEDT | Order now with the Main Event on Kayo Sports

As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia last week, the new deal now makes ‘Volk’ one of the highest-paid UFC fighters, not named Conor McGregor.

However, the 35-year-old admits there is also a lot at stake when he takes on the Dagestani bogeyman who, as well as being on a 12-fight winning streak, also won a controversial decision in their last clash at UFC 284 in February. .

Although Volkanovski insists he is under no pressure in this massive confrontation, he admits that the confrontation on Yas Island also has high stakes.

“It’s like this,” said the champion shortly before flying to Abu Dhabi with his team, “There is no pressure on me, and I don’t feel any pressure.

“But there is still a lot at stake.

“This is my revenge for one of the biggest fights, and with a rivalry.

“So if I go in there and lose, I might never get that title shot again.”

“I won’t have a rematch, I won’t have a third fight and I won’t be able to fight for that lightweight title.

“My legacy needs a big blow.

“So there is a lot to lose for me.

“But I’m not preparing for the worst; I don’t have time for that.

“If it happens, I’ll deal with it, but I just have time to prepare for how I think this fight is going to go.

“And my vision is so clear.”

Volkanovski also said that although he learned a lot from his first match against Makhachev, which ended in a controversial decision defeat, he is not sure whether his rival will change from the first fight.

“Everyone can improve but I don’t think he (Makhachev) is the kind of fighter who can change his game that much,” the Australian began.

“He’s so good at what he does.

“But I don’t think he has that adaptability.

“And I don’t think he wants to change anything anyway.”

Do you think you are the best fighter?

“I do it 100 percent,” Volkanovski continued.

“He’s a good fighter, although in that first fight we thought we had done enough.

“I feel like I’m a better fighter when it comes to composure and everything else.

“I believe I am the most complete fighter.

“And like I said, I can make adjustments and deal with adversity much better than most.

“Never lose your temper.”

When asked how the fight initially took place, Volkanovski revealed he was sitting next to his wife Emma and trying to settle their baby daughter, when his manager Ash Belcastro called.

“Emma was sitting next to me so I handed her Reign,” said the current father of three daughters.

“Then Ash started by saying ‘you’re not going to believe this’… but then he said ‘you’re not going to worry about it but I have to do my job’.

“It’s like it’s not going to happen.

“But within seconds we thought ‘we’re going to do it’…”

From there, there was a quick call to coach Joe Lopez, who was out of the country.

“And he said OK,” the champion continued.

“So I called Ask back, told him we were here, and then he went and did his part, talked to Hunter (Campbell, UFC business director) while I was rallying the troops for camp.

“That afternoon we had a combat simulator.

“I contacted the guys and they were there for the combat simulator.”

Was there anyone who said not to do it?

“Not really,” Volkanovski said.

“Obviously people will always play devil’s advocate, for example making sure their salary is good and so on.

“But everyone is excited.

“It’s something that makes them smile a lot.

“No one seemed nervous.

“They are all excited, just like me.

“A lot of people might ask, ‘What are you doing?’ but we are all excited.