Athlete

Being in UFC is a great promotion for me because I have more fans from all over Australia.

I train with whoever I can, all different sizes, shapes, and styles.

Robert Whittaker has really opened eyes, look what he's doing.

I won't say too much but Conor McGregor, he likes to set a lot of traps. But they're things I would never get caught up in. The guy isn't exactly known for his cardio either, so I'd crumble him. Make it look easy.

When Elkins came forward I was absolutely ecstatic. It's a massive fight. Realistically he doesn't need to take this fight, but he did - good on him. I've got a lot of respect for him, but I think this is a very dangerous fight for him. Again, he's a grinder, he wears people down, but I don't wear out, especially when I'm in good condition.

Ground and pound is my thing, everyone knows that.

As I get better competition, I guarantee that more finishes are gonna come, because I'll really get to use more of my skill, rather than me knowing that I'm so much better than the guy.

I could be sparring mates and you're meant to hit 'em, but we'll be sparring and usually I try and stop at the face, or I don't really try and follow through, but sometimes they walk into them and I say 'oh sorry mate.' They get angry and say 'we're sparring get into it,' but I dunno, I think I'm so used to saying sorry.

I'll be honest when I tell you, Max Holloway is the hardest matchup out of everyone in our division. By far. And I was happy to take him back to back.

You know I am all about the good guys, but sometimes we get put to the back of the line because we are too nice.

I've obviously got the brains. I've got the cardio.

It's one of the things that I tend to do, make the right decision, right time, and get the right reactions and capitalize on it.

You know, martial arts is all about respect and discipline and it's always been about that. But again, people are starting to forget that, people are missing that, and this is where I believe I can help and it's good for our sport.

One thing in this game is you've gotta stay positive.

My surname Volkanovski comes from my father's side, so I have many Macedonian supporters and I really appreciate it.

When it comes to cardio, we know I don't have a problem.

No one is really playing the good guy, but if they want to play the bad guy, I'm ready to play the super hero and take these guys out.

You know, people are always asking, 'What's your brand?' and, 'What are you all about?' Then you get other people saying, 'You need to do what Connor McGregor does.' But that's not me. That's not who I am. I'm not going to talk trash and build off the bad boy image.

I'm chasing my contenders. I'm talking about that GOAT status.

This is a crazy sport.