UFC 284 Pre-Fight Press Conference: Volkanovski Embraces Underdog Status

This morning in Perth, ahead of the UFC 284 action that will unfold this weekend, Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski touched on what we can expect from their highly anticipated lightweight championship match.

Volkanovski, current titleholder in the featherweight division, now has his sights set on lightweight gold and hopes to solidify himself as one of the pound-for-pound all-time greats. He knows that in the eyes of many he is not the favorite versus Makhachev, but this is a challenge that the Australian welcomes, and he feels confident that he can rise to the occasion.

AUSSIE’S, give it up for your featherweight champ 👏🏆

[ @AlexVolkanovski | #UFC284 Press Conference ] pic.twitter.com/dQOBvDVgWB

— UFC (@ufc) February 10, 2023

Lightweight champion Makhachev, who also is focused on the potential status of pound-for-pound king, is looking to use this opportunity to showcase his striking. He plans to knock Volkanovski out, despite acknowledging that his opponent is very skilled on the feet.

ENTER THE LW KING 👑

[ @MakhachevMMA | #UFC284 Press Conference ] pic.twitter.com/j76RrArMVJ

— UFC (@ufc) February 10, 2023

Check out what the two main event competitors had to say at the pre-fight press conference below:

Volk is absolutely LOVING being in his home country 🙌

[ @AlexVolkanovski | #UFC284 Press Conference ] pic.twitter.com/7rqhW3O2vK

— UFC (@ufc) February 10, 2023

All about keeping that energy 😂 #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/ZmaWF2YDO5

— UFC (@ufc) February 10, 2023

The P4P king letting the doubters know he’s coming for that second belt! 🗣🏆

[ @AlexVolkanovski | #UFC284 Press Conference ] pic.twitter.com/2B3ka68cnX

— UFC (@ufc) February 10, 2023

The LW champ has his sights SET on that No. 1 P4P spot 😤

[ @MakhachevMMA | #UFC284 Press Conference ] pic.twitter.com/e1EhM5P7mm

— UFC (@ufc) February 10, 2023

Not afraid of ANY challenges that come his way 👀

[ @AlexVolkanovski | #UFC284 Press Conference ] pic.twitter.com/51RjTznWLX

— UFC (@ufc) February 10, 2023

𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄-𝐓𝐎-𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄.

🏆 @MakhachevMMA vs 🏆 @AlexVolkanovski

[ #UFC284 | Saturday | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/xFq6ldwHKy ]i pic.twitter.com/lo3BD2hpy4

— UFC (@ufc) February 10, 2023

UFC 284 gets started this Saturday at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT with the preliminary action on UFC Fight Pass & ESPN+.

Following, at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT the PPV main card will go live, and will feature five high level bouts.