Alexander Volkanovski embraces underdog tag against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333

Alexander Volkanovski knows what they see.

A 38-year-old champion on the back nine of his career. An undefeated Russian challenger. And a changing of the guard coming.

UFC 333: Volkanovski v Evloev | SUN 25 OCTOBER 5AM AEDT | The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi where Volkanovski is seeking his 7th successful title defense in a highly anticipated match up against the undefeated Movsar Evloev. | Order now on Kayo Sports.

Some of the biggest names in the sport are tipping Movsar Evloev to take his featherweight crown at UFC 333 this weekend. Many bookmakers have the challenger as favourite, too.

Volk admits that the last part surprised him a bit.

But he reckons there’s an upside for the Australians backing him.

“This is the first time in a long time that I’m the underdog,” he told Fox Sports Australia.

“I’m shocked, but I’m glad.

“It means my supporters get to make money off it.

“I love being the underdog. I’ve always said it.”

And while Dustin Poirier, Jorge Masvidal and former rival Islam Makhachev are among those backing Evloev, Volk says the doubts give him something else to draw on.

“I love people doubting me. It’s always been something that’s motivated me.”

Makhachev, who has twice shared the Octagon with the Aussie, has questioned whether the champion has much left in the tank.

Volk isn’t taking it personally.

But he is looking forward to answering it on Sunday morning.

“A lot of people are going to look into my point of career and they’re going to think, well, he’s old and all that,” he said.

“Yeah, sweet. I mean, I get to prove them all wrong this week.”

Inside the Aussie’s camp, the mood is considerably brighter than those predictions might suggest.

Ahead of his title defence in Abu Dhabi, Volk says he has the energy and enthusiasm of someone whose championship years are only beginning.

“We’re all in high spirits, feeling great. Weight is so good. Not nervous at all,” he said.

“You would not think I’m a 38-year-old man … you’d think it’s some guy that’s fresh in his title era, you know what I mean?

“We’re in a great position.”

As for Makhachev’s prediction, Volkanovski understands why the Russian would support his countryman and training partner.

“I think they’re close. They’ve trained together,” he said.

“I’ve heard him touch on, like, I’m 38 years old and stuff like that. So maybe he’s thinking like that.

“Maybe that’s what it is, or maybe he’s just supporting one of his friends, fellow training partners.

“For me, I don’t take anything personal.”

The years since Volkanovski first won the featherweight championship in 2019 have brought plenty of hard rounds.

But the Windang Warrior believes they have also given him a better understanding of how to win them.

Asked how he compares with the fighter who first claimed the belt, his answer was immediate.

“Much different fighter,” he said.

“A lot more composed. A lot more self-aware. Way better understanding of myself, of the sport itself.

“I’m a guy that just understands who he is and understands the game a lot more.”

That understanding will be tested by Evloev’s smothering wrestling.

But Volk believes the challenger will have problems of his own if he expects taking the Australian down and keeping him there to be straightforward.

“He knows that he’s going to really work for the takedowns,” Volkanovski said.

“I think he would know that I’m going to have answers for those takedowns, because he can’t sit there and expect to just take me down and hold me.

“Because if he is, he’s going to be in for it.

“Imagine your mental state if you’re expecting to just grab me and hold me and make that look easy, and it doesn’t go your way.

“You’re just setting yourself up for failure. You’re setting yourself up to just stress out and crumble.

“He’s going to figure out quickly that his only way of winning is to knock me out.”

Volkanovski expects Evloev’s awkward striking to require some adjustments, but believes the Russian’s preference for controlling opponents around the hips could suit his own style.

And before Evloev can get hold of him, there is the problem of working out what the champion is doing.

“I’m not just a sitting target where I’m just looking at you, giving you easy shots, giving you clear options,” Volkanovski said.

“You need to understand footwork. You need to understand angles. You need to understand range.

“That’s something that he’ll be trying to get his head around.

“He probably won’t even notice that I’ve got him, that I’m leading the dance.”

The confidence extends beyond the technical side of the contest.

Long before he was defending UFC titles, Volk was a front-rower for the Warilla Gorillas, running into opponents who towered over him.

He reckons those afternoons helped build the resilience that still serves him inside the Octagon.

“I just had to run it straight at mountains of men,” he said.

“To have the courage to do that, you need to be pretty resilient. You need to be pretty durable.

“Be okay with playing injured. Be okay with a bit of pain.

“That goes a long way, and you’ve seen that be a big part of my career as well.”

For now, though, the champion is enjoying himself.

When “Down Under” plays and he begins the walk towards the cage, Volk plans to soak up the crowd and think about the Australians watching from home.

Far from struggling to control his nerves, he says he sometimes needs to lift his excitement to reach the right level.

“I can very easily just be too composed, too level,” he said.

“I feel like I do my best when I’m that little bit excited. Not too excited, but a little bit excited.”

MORE UFC NEWS:

US coach’s shock Volk prediction… and the others Aussies to watch on epic card — UFC 333 Ultimate Guide