Alexander Volkanovski walked on 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 could see it at first.
But isn’t that the greatest thing about Australia’s cage fighting king?
A fella whose true strengths have always been largely internal.
Unseen.
Which is why, halfway through this press conference to sell a UFC 294 headliner he’s taken on 11 days notice – and with the odds stacked high against him — Volk suddenly flipped over that large, gold pendant which dangles often on his chest for major sponsor, Prime.
A bauble which, gifted by no less than Logan Paul, now on the back has a new word writ large … dawg.
UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 | SUN 22nd OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
Volk question puts Hasbulla on the spot | 00:50
“Dunno, if you can see that,” the champ 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 a win over Volkanovski when the pair last met way back in February this year.
Which for Volk, like all the myriad other hurdles, doesn’t matter.
“I back myself,” the Aussie shouted, going again as boos began raining down. “Every time.”
Which may have been the most apt moment in a press conference where these two UFC champions jawed over everything from paycheques and rehydration clauses to exactly who was knocking who out.
Better, it all started right off the bat, too.
“They’re all on my side now,” Makhachev said, referencing a press conference crowd that were his from the back rafters right down to social media personality Hasbulla perched up front row.
“Last time, in Australia, brother,” he added, grinning. “Now everything changed.”
Immediately, though, the dawg shot back.
Explaining how he needed nothing from any crowd while lifting those two fists that have taken him through five UFC featherweight title defences.
“I’ve got these,” he grinned.
But still Makhachev wasn’t finished.
“Everybody know what you need,” he deadpanned. “Just money, that’s it.”
Which has been something of a running line all week for the hometown hero.
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‘Not here for dancing, I’m here to kill’ | 00:52
“He just comes to make money,” Makhachev continued.
“He not bring his belt.
“I put my belt up.
“While I am here he’ll never be champion of my division.”
Which was not the only back-and-forth on stage, sure.
Especially when you consider how co-main star Khamzat Chimaev told Kumaru Usman he would “smesh” him, kill him, and even suggested it was not too late to disappear and take up MMA coaching instead.
Just as he suggested Brazilian Paulo Costa had not pulled out injured, but because he “s… himself”.
Regardless, this is a yarn about an Aussie looking to become a two-division champ.
And on less than a dozen days.
A dawg.
A fighter too who was also forced to argue over a topic that rarely gets much airtime at these sorts of outings – fighter rehydration clauses.
Specifically, that Makhachev will have up to 10 hours more to refuel in Abu Dhabi than he did in Australia because of differing commission rules.
“I want to finish everybody,” Makhachev was saying at one point when quizzed about their first showdown.
“He give me good fight, hard fight.
“(But) I have many things before the fight, now everything on my side …”
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“What things,” Volk interrupted. “Get it out there, what things?”
“Man, in Australia 5am in the morning,” Makhachev started, trying to explain his rehydration process.
“Five in the morning what?” Volkanovski replied, incredulous.
“You’re telling me 30 hours isn’t enough?
“How many do you need?
“I don’t need any of that.”
Makhachev: “You don’t need nothing, just money.
“Tell the people how much they give you.”
“Hey?” Volkanovski asked.
“How much you make?”
“It’s well deserved, mate,” the Aussie replied. “Don’t worry about that.”
“Now we understand,” Makhachev said.
“What do you mean?” Volkanovski shot back. “I’m here, I’m in my prime and I’ve got that dawg in me…”
Cue the logo switch.
That, and boos, which arrived almost every time Volk spoke.
Islam’s intimidation attempt falls flat | 00:40
Truly, even chunks of media asking questions were against him — with one journalist questioning ‘The Great’ on how it felt knowing his rival was going to be even bigger and stronger than when they last met?
“Why?” the champ asked.
Because, the journo said, going again, Makhachev is in better shape.
“You telling me he rehydrated in 30 hours and that wasn’t enough?” Volkanovski said. “He’s going to be stronger in 40 hours?
“Is that really what we’re relying on over here?
“We don’t back our skills?
“I don’t get it.”
At which point, the hometown hero interrupted with: “I show everything.
“Be patient.
“I show my power, everything.”
None of which worried Volk.
Plus, trash talking has never really been his thing.
Volk reveals how Islam rematch was setup | 03:20
Like when somebody asked Makhachev if he would go up and fight for the welterweight title on 12 days notice, the Aussie interjected with only one word.
“No,” he said.
At which point, Makhachev again lifted his microphone.
“Look there is absolutely nothing that Alex has at stake,” he said.
“He’s already lost to me before.
“He’s not putting his streak on the line, not putting his belt on the line.
“I’m not joking about it.
“He’s only here for the money.
“He asked for money and he’s getting it.
“If I was in his position, he would come fight for the belt.”
Later, Makhachev said: “You have to thank me.
“I give you two shots over many other opponents.
“Everybody ready for a fight but I give you a second chance.”
To which Volkanovski suggested that everyone wanted this rematch and, as a result, he was ready to put on a show.
‘I can’t afford to show him respect’ | 01:24
“Just say thank you,” Makhachev deadpanned.
Which doesn’t mean to suggest the lightweight champ doesn’t think his rival can fight.
“Man, of course he is good,” he said.
“If you want to finish him, or beat him you never stop, he’s going to fight five rounds.
“No matter how many days notice.
“We are going to show good fight.”
Volkanovski concurred, saying: “He knows I’m professional and I turn up every single time.
“I believe I’m one of the best fighters in the world.
“I believe I am the best in the world.”
And guess what?
More boos.
Yet by now, that dawg emblem was showing.
“And I’ve made it clear,” Volkanovski said of what was coming inside the Octagon. “They know what’s happening.
“I ain’t here to play it safe.
“I can’t afford to play it safe.
“It’s kill or be killed.
“I’m going full steam ahead and that’s one dangerous man when I’m doing that.”