Alex Volkanovski is already eyeing off a trilogy fight against his UFC 294 opponent Islam Makhachev, however his coach has rubbished claims that Conor McGregor could be next on the menu.

Volkanovski and Makhachev and  first squared off in Perth in February with the Russian retaining his lightweight belt by unanimous decision, although Volkanovski finished with a flourish to win the final round.

The loss - just Volkanovski's second from 28 fights - was why he jumped at the chance for a rematch on Sunday morning [AEDT], with just 12 days' notice, after being called in as an injury replacement for challenger Charles Oliveira.

'This is why I really wanted to take this on,' Volkanovski told MMA Junkie.

'He's talking about moving up [a division], I know he doesn't like the weight cut, so I'm thinking, 'What if I can't ever get this rematch?'.

'That's why I felt like this is opportunity that I needed to take just in case it doesn't happen. For my legacy, it needs to happen.

'I need this win back and I want to do it in wild fashion so there's no questions.

'And then if he chooses to stay around, we'll do the trilogy. I'm up for that as we've got that rivalry and it's a good story.'

And his coach Joe Lopez said that short preparation may actually play into the Wollongong products favour. 

 'I'm sure it is going to be one of the greatest results of all time,' he said.

'I think the whole division is more confident against Islam after Alex made him look human. We haven't had the full camp – but we're quietly confident and we're coming there to win.

I don't want to give away too much but we are working on a few things and I'm sure you're going to see some big improvements

'You always end up with injuries during an 8 week camp. Even last time Alex couldn't use his arm for 4 weeks cos he hurt it during the camp. 

'That's why he got the surgery afterwards. Alex is looking great. He's stronger than ever. It really might be an advantage this time.'

Already the featherweight champion, Volkanovski would join an elite four-man group to simultaneously hold two different UFC belts with a victory at UFC 294. That group includes Conor McGregor, 

Following the Makhachev showdown, a matchup against the returning McGregor has been mooted by fans, but Lopez said that would be a non-contest.

'McGregor never performed well against wrestler-strikers. Alex would smash him – especially the new richer Conor,' he said, taking a swipe at McGregor's lavish lifestyle aboard his yacht Supercar of the Sea.

Volkanovski said he could see the pressure building on Makhachev, who has his belt and his reputation at stake given the Australian's very limited preparation.

'He knows I'm coming in on 12 days notice, he knows everyone will expect him to walk through me and he knows that it's not going to be that easy,' said Volkanovski, who had elbow surgery after beating Yair Rodrigues in July.

'I guarantee you he's got a lot of pressure on him and he's struggling with all this. I can already see and feel that.

'I've still got a lot to lose, but there's no pressure on me.'

Volknovski is expecting Makhachev to again use grappling to try to slow the fight, so the Australian wants to make an early statement.

He felt he showed the 31-year-old, whose record is 24-1 (4KO) too much respect in their first encounter.

'I could have backed myself a little bit earlier but at least I got to figure that out and this time, I can't afford to show him that respect,' Volknovski said.

'I need to go out there and I need to go for the finish.

'I feel like I can go the five rounds anyway, but let's not even worry about that, let's go out there and really set a statement which is going to be massive for the legacy and that will get people talking. That's what I want.'