“That’s been taking place ceaselessly … even on the footy subject,” Volkanovski mentioned of the taunts coming from his 31-year-old Russian rival.

“Nobody’s ever simply overpowered me.”

At 168 centimetres, featherweight titleholder Volkanovski will hand over 10 centimetres and 4 kilograms to Makhachev (23 wins, one loss) when he strikes up a division for the light-weight title struggle, the primary occasion of UFC 284 on Sunday in Perth.

With the standing of greatest pound-for-pound fighter on the road, Volkanovski (25 wins, one loss) could have a sold-out 13,000 crowd proper behind him at an anticipated febrile RAC Enviornment.

However even with that, Volkanovski is the underdog in opposition to the formidable wrestling and grappling prowess of Makhachev.

“He doesn’t take pointless dangers. He doesn’t overcommit,” Volkanovski mentioned of Makhachev, who has 11 submission victories in his 23 profession wins.

“He’ll struggle on the again foot and look ahead to the fitting time to shoot. His distance recreation isn’t too dangerous. He’s calculated, good on the fundamentals. He’s an ideal fighter.”

The straight-shooting Makhachev insists that his superior measurement will result in a one-sided bout and defence of his light-weight belt.

“It’s one other division. I’m going to beat him,” he mentioned. “I wish to knock him out. I do know I’m the perfect MMA fighter as a result of I’ve all the talents: putting, wrestling, grappling.”

However the 34-year-old Volkanovski, whose energy and putting have fuelled his rise in combined martial arts, scoffed at his opponent’s assured prediction.

“Knockout? That’s an pointless danger. He gained’t be doing that,” mentioned Volkanovski, who has gorged on additional energy in a bid to realize weight.

“If he thinks I’m simply going to be a weak little featherweight, then he’s in for a impolite shock.”

MMA in Australia is beginning to emerge from a distinct segment base, its rising reputation apparent by the a whole bunch of followers who turned out for public exercises from the fighters forward of the primary UFC occasion staged within the nation for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the many different bouts on the cardboard, Josh Emmett will probably be taking over Yair Rodriguez for the featherweight interim title belt and Parker Porter is in opposition to New Zealander Justin Tafa.

Volkanovski has develop into a really recognisable identify in Australia, the place he is the embodiment of the underdog who doggedly climbs the ranks.

“I don’t assume I used to be ever athletically gifted … I’ve all the time been sturdy however that’s it,” he mentioned. “Look the place I’m at proper now with the fitting mindset and work ethic. I’m displaying folks what could be completed.”

On this cauldron, although, there’s little room for modest discuss, even for Volkanovski, who’s on a 22-fight successful streak and is named ‘The Nice’ — a nod to Alexander the Nice.

“I’m chasing to be one of many biggest or the best. ‘Alexander the Nice’ is nice however we’re going for ‘Alexander the Best’,” he mentioned. “Folks have counted me out however I’m going to shock the world on Sunday and I can’t wait to do it.”

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