With pound-for-pound kingship on the line, how high are the stakes for Khabib protégé Islam Makhachev?

Islam Makhachev has the opportunity to stand atop not just the UFC lightweight division, but the men's pound-for-pound rankings if he beats Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284. The Dagestani champion will face featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in his first title-defense as the UFC's 155 pound champion.

Currently, Alexander Volkanovski is ranked No.1 in the men's pound-for-pound rankings in the UFC. Both fighters have only recorded one loss each in their careers.

For this bout, all the pressure is on Islam Makhachev. Volkanovski is in a safer spot as he won't lose his featherweight title if he loses the bout. Makhachev, on the other hand, stands to lose his title in his first defense if he loses to 'Volk'.

Furthermore, Volkanovski gets bragging rights to a shiny new belt and his first shot at double-champ status. To top it all off, Makhachev is fighting Volkanovski - without his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner - on the latter's home ground.

Here's the UFC 284 bout between Makhachev and Volkanovski:

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Islam Makhachev is gunning for Alexander Volkanovski's No.1 men's pound-for-pound spot

Islam Makhchev is exuding supreme confidence going into the bout. It's almost as if he's sure of the outcome of the fight. In an interview with Brett Okamoto on ESPN MMA, the Dagestani champion said that he is eyeing Volkanovski's pound-for-pound No.1 spot.

Here's what the lightweight champion said:

"I think I have [better skills] than everybody, everywhere, you know? I'm not just a wrestler or a grappler, I think my skills [are the] best in the world, so I think [I'm the] best fighter in the world right now."

On being asked if he's being dismissive of Alexander Volkanovski after watching their interview with Daniel Cormier, Makhachev said the following:

"I cannot underestimate him because he's small or something like that. He is [the] best fighter right now, you know? He is No.1 right now, but, I really believe [in] my skills, [in my] striking, grappling [and] wrestling. That's why I [said that] I want to knock him out, because I know I can do this."

Here's Brett Okamoto's interview of Islam Makhachev:

Islam Makhachev took a dig at Alexander Volkanovski's wrestling in an interview with Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA. The lightweight champ said that Australia hasn't produced any Olympic-level wrestlers, unlike his native Russia.

Makhachev's comments garnered laughs from both 'DC' and 'Volk'. However, the featherweight champion had to remind viewers that he was a national-wrestling champion in Australia.

Here's the bit from Cormier's interview: