video, highlights, Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski 2, Hasbulla, fight card, Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev

Alexander Volkanovski took the stage here in Abu Dhabi wearing a black t-shirt covered in growling dogs and a schmick gold necklace referencing the same.

Not that you can see it at first.

But isn’t that the best thing about the Australian king of cage fighting?

A guy whose true strengths have always been largely internal.

Invisible.

Which is why, halfway through that press conference to sell a UFC 294 headliner that he took on 11 days’ notice — and with the odds stacked against him — Volk suddenly flipped that large gold pendant that often hangs on his chest for the main sponsor. , Prime.

A bauble which, offered by none other than Logan Paul, now bears a new word in big letters on the back… man.

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

“I don’t know, if you can see that,” the champion shouted across the stage to Dagestani bogeyman Islam Makhachev, his rival this Sunday.

A fighter too, who not only holds the UFC lightweight crown, but also a victory over Volkanovski in their last meeting in February of this year.

Which, for Volk, as for the myriad other obstacles, doesn’t matter.

“I have my back,” the Australian shouted, walking away as the boos began to rain down. “Everytime.”

Which may have been the most fitting moment in a press conference where these two UFC champions delved into everything from paychecks to rehydration clauses to who exactly was knocking out who.

Better, it all started from the start too.

“They’re all on my side now,” Makhachev said, referring to the press conference crowd that was his from the rafters to social media personality Hasbulla perched in the front row.

“Last time, in Australia, my brother,” he added, smiling. “Now everything has changed.”

Immediately, however, the guy fired back.

Explaining how he didn’t need anything from any crowd while raising those two fists that carried him through five UFC featherweight title defenses.

“I have them,” he smiled.

But Makhachev still wasn’t finished.

“Everyone knows what you need,” he deadpanned. “Just money, that’s all.”

Which has been something of a racing line all week for the hometown hero.

ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know before UFC 294

“He just comes to make money,” Makhachev continued.

“He doesn’t bring his belt.

“I pulled up my belt.

“While I’m here, he’ll never be champion of my division.”

This was of course not the only return on stage.

Especially considering how main co-star Khamzat Chimaev told Kumaru Usman he would “crush” him, kill him, and even suggested it wasn’t too late to disappear and follow a MMA coaching instead.

Just as he suggested that Brazilian Paulo Costa had not withdrawn injured, but because “he is himself”.

Either way, this is a story about an Australian looking to become a two-division champion.

And this, in less than a dozen days.

A guy.

A fighter also who was also forced to debate a subject that rarely gets a lot of air time during these kinds of outings: fighter rehydration clauses.

Specifically, Makhachev will have up to 10 hours longer to refuel in Abu Dhabi than in Australia due to different commission rules.

“I want to finish everyone,” Makhachev said at one point when asked about their first confrontation.

“He gave me a good fight, a hard fight.

“(But) I have a lot of things before the fight, now everything is on my side…”

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“What things,” Volk interrupted. “Bring him out, what things?” »

“Dude, in Australia at 5 a.m.,” Makhachev began, trying to explain his rehydration process.

“Five in the morning what?” » Volkanovski replied, incredulously.

“Are you telling me that 30 hours isn’t enough?

“How much do you need?

“I don’t need all that.”

Makhachev: “You don’t need anything, just money.

“Tell people how much they give you.”

“Hey?” » asked Volkanovski.

“How much do you make?”

“It’s well deserved, mate,” replied the Australian. “Do not worry about that.”

“Now we understand,” Makhachev said.

“What do you mean?” Volkanovski replied. “Here I am, I’m in my prime and I have this guy in me…”

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That, and the boos, which came almost every time Volk spoke.

In truth, even some of the media asking questions were against him – one reporter asking “The Great” about what it felt like to know that his rival was going to be even bigger and stronger than when they last met?

“For what?” » asked the champion.

Because, the newspaper said, returning to it, Makhachev is in better shape.

“Are you telling me he rehydrated in 30 hours and that wasn’t enough?” » said Volkanovski. “He’s going to be stronger in 40 hours?”

“Is that really what we’re counting on here?

“We don’t support our skills?

“I don’t understand.”

At this point the local hero interrupted: “I show everything.

“Be patient.

“I show my power, everything.”

None of this worried Volk.

Plus, trash talking has never really been his thing.

Like when someone asked Makhachev if he was going to fight for the welterweight title on 12 days’ notice, the Australian interjected with just one word.

“No,” he said.

At this point, Makhachev raised his microphone again.

“Look, Alex has absolutely nothing at stake,” he said.

“He’s lost to me before.

“He’s not putting his streak on the line, he’s not putting his belt on the line.

“I’m not joking about this.

“He’s only in it for the money.

“He asked for money and he got it.

“If I were in his place, he would come and fight for the belt.”

Later, Makhachev said: “You have to thank me.

“I give you two chances against many other opponents.

“Everyone is ready for the fight but I’m giving you a second chance.”

To which Volkanovski suggested that everyone wanted this rematch and, therefore, he was ready to put on the show.

“Just say thank you,” Makhachev said, deadpan.

Which isn’t to say the lightweight champion doesn’t think his rival can fight.

“Man, sure, he’s good,” he said.

“If you want to finish him, or beat him, you never stop, he’s going to fight five rounds.

“It doesn’t matter how many days’ notice you have.

“We’re going to put up a good fight.”

Volkanovski agreed, saying, “He knows I’m professional and I show up every time.”

“I believe I am one of the best fighters in the world.

“I believe I am the best in the world.”

And guess what?

More boos.

Yet now this emblem was visible.

“And I made that clear,” Volkanovski said of what was happening inside the Octagon. “They know what’s going on.

“I’m not here to play it safe.

“I can’t afford to play it safe.

“It’s kill or be killed.

“I go full steam ahead and it’s a dangerous man when I do that.”