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 declared taking a fight on just 11 days notice against Islam Makhachev could actually work in the Aussie’s favour this weekend at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.

‘Volk’ stunned many fans globally after answering an SOS from UFC boss Dana White when Charles Oliviera pulled out with injury last week.

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

He pointed to Volkanovski’s famed work ethic and natural body composition – and well as the fact the featherweight champ will be highly motivated after losing to Makhachev in Perth earlier this year in UFC 284.

‘Every week we do this testing for baseline power and explosiveness, and we use that to see how he’s tracking,’ Sullivan told News Corp.

‘Last week, Alex threw up better numbers than he did for all of the camp for the last Islam fight.

‘Volk’ is also seeking revenge in the re-match after the Russian had his measure during UFC 284 in Perth back in February

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

‘He’s coming in extremely strong, because he hasn’t burnt his body out. ‘Volk is crazy, because he’s actually coming in stronger.’

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

‘He’s a 365 day fighter and he eats relatively clean too,’ he added.

‘Volk is always in [good] shape. 99 per cent of other fighters wouldn’t be in a position to take this fight.’

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

While he has to shed 13kg in under a fortnight, his metabolism saw him drop 4kg in the first couple of days.

Volkanovski, dubbed the featherweight king, needs to drop 13kg in total to make weight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294

Next step is to remove excess water from his body.

‘Volk’s got really high muscle mass for the division, he doesn’t have to drop too much body fat, and we drop more water in fight week,’ Sullivan revealed.

‘Plus, Volk is one of the sweatiest humans on the planet, so we can rely on that night before in the sauna too.’

In the lead up to the re-match, Volkanovski will feast on eggs, avocado and a fruit bowl for breakfast.

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