The past is well and truly behind Alexander Volkanovski as he prepares for a much-anticipated UFC featherweight title bout with Brazilian Diego Lopes.
Volkanovski, 36, has lost three of his past four UFC bouts, twice fighting up a division against Islam Makhachev - with one fight on short notice - and the other against Ilia Topuria, when he lost the featherweight title via knockout in 2024.
His most recent victory was against Yair Rodriguez in July 2023.
The Wollongong local is confident ahead of his return to the octagon after more than a year, and has no plans to slow down if he wins in Miami at UFC 314 on Sunday (AEST).
"That's done and dusted them fights, it means nothing," Volkanovski told AAP of his previous bouts.
"I go in every fight knowing someone can catch it, and the last two, that is what happened ... but that's the only way I'm losing."
Volkanovski is widely regarded as one of the greatest UFC featherweights of all time, boasting a 26-4 win-loss record.
The Australian notched five successful title defences, has the second most title fight wins (6) in UFC featherweight history, and had the second longest winning streak (11) in the division.
His looming fight with Lopes (26-6-0) is a chance to regain the title after Topuria vacated the belt when moving up a division.
But age and history are against the Australian, with fighters 35 and older being 0-17 in UFC title fights at 155 pounds and lighter.
Volkanovski said 30-year-old Lopes brings an "aggressive" striking style to the octagon.
"He'd be the most aggressive striker in a sense, where he's not very defensively sound because he's just goes all-in in his offence," the Aussie said of Lopes.
"A very dangerous fighter when they come at you like that, but they leave a lot of open doors and a lot I can capitalise on.
"If he does change it up and try to be more calculated and more controlled, I think that'd be even worse for him - you're not going to go out there and out-strategise me.
"His only chance - and anyone in my division's only chance - is catching me with something. I think his best bet is to be aggressive and do what he always does."
Volkanovski will don customised trunks when he enters the octagon, paying homage to the roots of his parents and his nation.
With a base colour of green, and with gold outlining the waist, "the great'' - Volkanovski's nickname - is angled on the sides using the Greek alphabet, as well as the Macedonian flag.
"My mother is Greek ... and my dad's Macedonian, so (I'm keen) to bring that culture, my blood in there and represent Australia as well," he said.
"I'm representing all three with the shorts, but had to go with the green and gold (base)," he concluded with a laugh.
