UFC 284: Alexander Volkanovski reveling in his underdog status ahead of megafight

The nuggety Australian will have a chance at greatness in front of his home crowd when he challenges Islam Makhachev for his UFC lightweight belt in Perth on Saturday night.

Volkanovski - who is going up a weight class - is entering the bout as a decided underdog despite his 22-fight win streak.

As for Makhachev, he has finished his last five opponents, including an impressive submission win over former division champion Charles Oliveira. These are the kind of results one expects when you're the understudy of the great Khabib Nurmagomedov...

Despite the odds seemingly stacked against Volkanovski, he wouldn't have it any other way.

"I am the underdog but I love people doubting me," the 34-year-old told the media at the pre-fight press conference.

"I prove them wrong all the time and I plan on doing that on Sunday. Champ-champ, all respect to Islam, to take the belt off him it's going to be an incredible feat. I hope people realize what I'm trying to do and when I do it, I can't wait.

"I'm twice the man I was before I started this camp, because I knew the challenge ahead of me. I ain't scared of the challenge. I know I can rise to the occasion. I know it's going to make me better. That's what people remember. These moments.

"He'll sit there and say I'm crazy for stepping up and all that, I think that's weak looking at it that way. You should challenge yourself. You should put yourself in these positions. Don't look at what might happen if things go wrong - let's look at what happens if things go right. Sunday, it's going to go right and I'm going to be champ-champ."

But for the stoic Makhachev, he's the deserved favourite and exuded confidence on media day.

"Because I am the champion and this is 155 [pounds] - this is not his area," said the Dagastni wrestler, who's earned 11 submission wins in his 24-fight career.

"This is other power, other division, I'm going to beat him easy. Alex is good everywhere but I am different. I have a different style. I have other plans and I always follow my plans and finish my opponent."