“Some people think that [first] fight went one way, some people think it went another way. I think I had done enough. I’ve got five titles at home in my closet. At the end of the day this is just another fight.”

Holloway was placed in the unique position of being called out by the new champ when the Aussie was looking for the first defence of his new crown. Rematches usually come much later in the piece and Holloway seems to believe Volkanovski feels he still has something left to prove, despite taking a unanimous decision back in December.

“How is he [Volkanovski] talking?” asked Holloway. “Is he talking like a champion? At the end of the day, I feel like he’s attacking me. He called me out to fight. That’s something a challenger does, doesn’t it?”

UFC: Masvidal’s coach Brown tests positive for coronavirus

There have been questions raised – through media and by Volkanovski himself – about Holloway’s preparations for the rematch, given the 28-year-old revealed earlier this week he’d turned to the Zoom meeting platform for workouts, rather than heading to his gym back home in Hawaii.

The risk of breaking Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in Hawaii just wasn’t worth it, nor was the risk to his family, explained Holloway.

“Our whole gym went to training online,” said Holloway. “I’ve been a big advocate of staying home, staying smart. I am serious about it. People said they don’t believe it but I [once] had four title fights in 12 months. I have a bunch of experience. I don’t need sparring. I’ve been doing that since I was 16, I’m 28 now. I got a bunch of experience.”

What Holloway (21-5) wants the world to know is that this time around – out at Fight Island in Abu Dhabi on Sunday – you’ll see the “Blessed” of old in his rematch against Volkanovski (21-1).

“Jump on the Blessed Express,” he said. “We’re running out of room. I promise you guys it’s going to be something to see. At the end of the day I’m a different breed.”

Before UFC 245 last December, the buzz had been building about the 31-year-old Volkanovski, given his 7-0 run on joining the UFC and an intriguing sporting pedigree that included a stint in the rough and tumble world of rugby league along the south coast of New South Wales.

For those who have never had at least a crack at rugby league, or indeed watched the game, there are a few things you should know. Players get hit – at force – from down low. And they get hit hard, and often.

And while Volkanovski didn’t exactly lay a bone-shattering tackle on Holloway first time around, he made full use of a lower centre of gravity, as he came forward – and up – time and time again.

Much of the talk this week has been about the low leg kicks the Aussie brought with him on those surges forward – 93 thrown, in total, of which 75 landed. They not only hurt, obviously, but they saw Holloway forced to change his stance to avoid more punishment to his lead leg, and they never really allowed the American to seize control of the cage.

And that’s what we’re used to seeing.

Against the likes of Frankie Edgar (23-8-1) and Jose Aldo (28-6), Holloway started slowly, feeling his opponents out, before taking command the longer the fight lasted.

So the major question yet to be answered is what, exactly, Holloway might do differently. During media day, he brushed off questions regarding specific fight plans, or about how he might address Volkanovski’s swarming style.

Poirier says Masvidal ‘isn’t coming off the couch’ for UFC 251

So the proof for the world will come on Sunday.

“The only thing I fear is God,” said Holloway. “This guy is human, just like me. MMA is all about adapting. And that’s what we do. We’re still leading the pack. Adapting to everything is just our life.”