How is Alexander Volkanovski aka The Great’s persona inside and outside the octagon? How does the 26-4-0 Featherweight fighter throw his punches and TKOs? Well, unlike many other fighters, he is relaxed and calm even when he is fighting inside the high-pressure environment of the Octagon. Further, he prepares for the worst-case scenarios in his training. “I don’t feel like there is any pressure on me. I think the pressure is on Islam,” is what he had said to UFC before the main event of UFC 284. Even though he was disappointed after losing, his composure was not compromised.

Even after losing to Islam Makhachev again, and Ilia Topuria back to back at UFC 294 and UFC 298 respectively, his strategy of remaining calm under pressure has not changed. A win over Diego Lopes would earn Volkanovski his second UFC Featherweight Championship belt since Ilia Topuria has decided to change weight classes and vacate the belt. While speaking to ENGAGE ahead of his bout, he spoke about getting the belt back and his champion mentality.

Alexander Volkanovski said, “I’m gonna be OK, I’m gonna be calm, I am going to be composed through that process. I’m still gonna be able to problem-solve, when a lot of people just can’t handle that pressure. Can’t handle that adversity and still be able to be composed and problem-solve. So if we get there, I guarantee you even if in a bad position in the grasp of Lopes, I guarantee you, I’ve still got a cooler head than he does.”

Well, what will this achieve? According to him, this will make his opponent not only exhausted but also angry. He further added, “Even if you had me in a triangle choke, he is still gassing. I am breathing, I’m still sweet, I’m still smiling. Can he handle the fact that even when things are going his way, I am not quitting? I’m coming back stronger.”

He is not only going to play by the physical rules of the fight but also will play a mental game to rile Lopes up. Volk also wants to prove that he can beat “this new school,” and make this a part of his comeback story. Volkanovski is expected to eventually get to the UFC Hall of Fame but he might just hasten the process and have a killer comeback story. However, the veteran and fighter did get a warning from a fellow Aussie combatant.

Robert Whittaker gave a scary reminder to Alexander Volkanovski

Lopes is running on a five-fight winning streak whereas The Great is not doing so great with a two-fight losing streak. The 30-year-old has even started proving that he might be one of the best and is making his permanent room in UFC. So Volkanovski’s Aussie comrade Robert Whittaker decided to give him a heads up. While speaking to Jonny Roses for MMArcade, he gave his judgment on Lopes vs. Volk.

The Reaper expressed, “I don’t know. Diego Lópes is so dangerous right now; he is riding on so much momentum, and he is, yeah, he is in a really dangerous position. And Volk, we don’t know what Volk we’re gonna see, you know he has had a lot of time off since he lost the belt. And he is aging, what is he now, 37? It’s like, I don’t know. ‘Cause taking all that away, I got Volk all day. I think his grit, his tenacity, and his skill set are just, so that’s why he was. That’s why he was so dominant in that division, that’s why he beat Max the way he did twice, not three times.”

Though he did not choose a specific winner, he did warn Volk of Lopes’ strengths. On the flip side, Whittaker was supporting his fellow Aussie fighter in the UFC even though he knew how dangerous Lopes was. Do you think The Great can redeem himself and win this fight with his zen mindset?