Alexander Volkanovski was left confused over UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s attempt at intimidation as the two prepare to do battle in the octagon for a second time.
Volkanovski stepped up on less than two week’s notice to face Makhachev for the lightweight title in Abu Dhabi after Charles Oliveira was forced out due to a nasty cut sustained during sparring.
LIVE COVERAGE: FOLLOW UFC 294 HERE
UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 | SUN 22nd OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
Makhachev won the first encounter between the pair in Perth to retain his lightweight belt, although many felt Volkanovski did enough to cause an almighty upset.
The two will now do battle in Abu Dhabi as Makhachev firms as the favourite to win, but Volkanovski is not fazed by the scale of the task in front of him.
Nor is he rattled by what he felt was a feeble attempt at intimidation from the Russian superstar as the two locked eyes on one another for the first time since arriving in the UAE.
“I’ve seen him just before,” Volkanovski told Main Event’s Niko Pajarillo.
“It was very quick. I’m usually all good, if there’s a problem it’s because they started it. We would have been fine.
“But I did see him, he didn’t look too happy.
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“I don’t know whether he was looking at me or whether he was trying to intimidate me. I don’t know what he was trying to do.
“But I don’t get easily intimidated. Especially when the last thing I remember is me on top of him ground and pounding.
“So it’s hard to intimidate me when that’s all I can remember.”
HOW TO WATCH UFC 294
Australian fight fans can catch all the action from UFC 294 live on Main Event and Kayo Sports.
The prelims are available to watch on ESPN via Kayo, before the action for the main card switches over to Main Event.
UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 | SUN 22nd OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
WHEN DOES UFC 294 START?
You’ll want to make sure you have the coffee flowing all morning long if you plan to catch every bit of action from UFC 294, or even just the main card!
The prelims kick off at 1am (AEDT), while the main card will commence at 5am (AEDT).
It’s certainly one way to kick off your Sunday morning, that’s for sure.
Usman & Chimaev lock eyes at weigh-ins | 00:55
WHO IS THE BETTING FAVOURITE?
Although he came agonisingly close in their first encounter, Alexander Volkanovski is the underdog going into the bout.
However, that’s not surprising when you consider he took the fight on less than two week’s notice.
Per TAB, Volkanovski is a $3 underdog while Islam Makhachev is the $1.40 favourite.
When it comes to method of victory, a Makhachev win via decision is the frontrunner at $2.75 with a KO/DQ win paying $5 and a submission win at $3.75.
For Volkanovski, a decision win is also his best chance according to the bookies at $5.50 while a KO/DQ win comes in at $6, but the submission victory is a major outsider at $23.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Islam Makhachev
Age: 31
Record: 24-1
Height: 178cm
Reach: 179cm
Leg reach: 103cm
Alexander Volkanovski
Age: 35
Record: 26-2
Height: 168cm
Reach: 182cm
Leg reach: 91cm
FULL UFC 294 CARD (ALL TIMES AEDT)
Main Card (from 5am AEDT)
Islam Makhachev (c) v Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC lightweight title
Kamaru Usman v Khamzat Chimaev — middleweight
Magomed Ankalaev v Johnny Walker — light heavyweight
Ikram Aliskerov v Warlley Alves — middleweight
Said Nurmagomedov v Muin Gafurov — bantamweight
Prelims (from 1am AEDT)
Tim Elliott v Muhammad Mokaev — flyweight
Mohammad Yahya v Trevor Peek — lightweight
Javid Basharat v Victor Henry — bantamweight
Abu Azaitar v Sedriques Dumas — middleweight
Mike Breeden v Anshul Jubli — lightweight
Nathaniel Wood v Muhammad Naimov — featherweight
Viktoriia Dudakova v Jinh Yu Frey — women’s strawweight
Shara Magomedov v Bruno Silva — middleweight