Volkanovski on the high-stakes rematch: “If I lose this fight …”

Alexander Volkanovski will face Islam Makhachev on Saturday. Photo via Instagram (@alexvolkanovski)

Even though the circumstances are not ideal, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will face lightweight champ Islam Makhachev in a short-notice rematch on Saturday’s UFC 294.

“Everyone knows I want this rematch, I want this belt, and if I lose this fight, I ain’t getting a shot at the title any time soon. Let’s be real. I ain’t getting a rematch anytime soon, either,” Volkanovski said.

Saturday’s fight might be the only shot to avenge his February loss, since Makhachev might go up to welterweight in the future.

“You hear about him talking about moving up, and just so much as, what if it doesn’t happen? What if this is my only opportunity?”

Read more: UFC champion predicts Chimaev vs. Usman: “Going to end up being a standup fight”

Alexander Volkanovski is confident in his physique

Even though Volkanovski did not have a long fight camp, he’s confident that his remarkable physique is still there. In fact, he claimed that there are factors in not doing a long camp that even could be to his advantage.

“Sometimes you do eight to 12 weeks of just absolutely bashing yourself, mentally and physically. So not to do that, obviously, you have to get yourself ready, but I’m sort of in a position where I don’t lose fitness overnight. It takes me a long time to lose fitness.”

“Can I do five rounds?  Yeah, I think I can, but I’m not going to sit there and kill myself because I don’t have time to prepare for the worst. But what I do have time for is to prepare for what I believe is going to happen,” Volkanovski said.

Read more: UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi – Fight Card, Start Time & How to Watch

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