REVEALED: Why taking up mega fight with Islam Makhachev on just 11 days notice could be an ADVANTAGE for  Alex Volkanovski ahead of UFC 294

Alex Volkanovski’s dietitian has stated that a fight on just 11 days’ notice against Islam Makhachev this weekend at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi could work in the Australian’s favour.

‘Volk’ stunned many fans around the world after answering an SOS from UFC boss Dana White when Charles Oliviera withdrew with an injury last week.

The 35-year-old will be the outsider against the imposing Russian, but his dietitian, Jordan Sullivan, is convinced his fighter can stun the world.

He pointed to Volkanovski’s renowned work ethic and natural body composition – and the fact that the featherweight champion will be highly motivated after losing to Makhachev at UFC 284 in Perth earlier this year.

“Every week we do these tests for basic strength and explosiveness, and we use that to see how he tracks,” Sullivan said News Corp.

‘Last week Alex got better grades than he did for the entire camp during the last Islamist battle.

Alex Volkanovski’s dietitian has stated that taking a fight on just 11 days’ notice against Islam Makhachev could work in the Australian’s favor this weekend at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi

‘Volk’ is also seeking revenge in the rematch after the Russian took his measure at UFC 284 in Perth in February

‘Last time there was a huge energy gap because he trained so much.

“He comes in extremely strong because he hasn’t burned out his body. ‘People are crazy, because he actually comes in stronger.’

Sullivan added that the difference with Volkanovski – a former rugby league player on the NSW south coast – is “always training” and that “not like he’s coming off the bench.’

“He’s a 365-day fighter and he also eats relatively clean,” he added.

‘People are always in (good) shape. 99 percent of the other fighters would not be able to fight this battle.”

Volkanovski’s high muscle mass will also help him lose weight quickly this week.

While he needs to lose 13kg in less than a fortnight, he saw his metabolism drop by 4kg in the first few days.

Volkanovski, also known as the featherweight king, must lose a total of 13 kg to make weight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294

The next step is removal excess water from his body.

‘Volk has very high muscle mass for the division, he doesn’t need to lose too much body fat, and we drop more water in fight week,” Sullivan revealed.

“Plus, Volk is one of the sweatiest people in the world, so we can also count on that night before in the sauna.”

In the run-up to the rematch, Volkanovski will enjoy eggs, avocado and a fruit bowl for breakfast.

Lunch will be steak and potatoes – with his ‘cheat meal’ an armada of chicken wings.