UFC featherweight champ Alex Volkanovski has revealed that Islam Makhachev  attempted to intimidate him when the pair crossed paths in an Abu Dhabi hotel ahead of Sunday's showdown.

The plucky Australian accepted a rematch with Makhachev on 11 days notice after Charles Oliveira was forced to pull out with an injury, and the pair are now just days out from their UFC 294 headliner at Etihad Stadium.

Volkanovski planned to be in the crowd at UFC 294, instead he'll now have a chance to make his bid for double-champ status and hold two different UFC belts simultaneously.

Tension is building before the bout and Volkanovski has revealed how the Dagestani fighter tried to intimidate him when they bumped into each other at a hotel.

The Wollongong native told reporters exactly what he was thinking during the awkward encounter.

'Actually one thing that happened yesterday, I don't know if he was trying to 'mean mug me' but he was looking at me, trying to give evils,' he said.

'But that's gunna be pretty hard.

'Let's remember how I left that last fight … (you) trying to do whatever you can to save your life. I remember punching your head through canvas.

'So to intimidate me, it's going to be difficult.

'Maybe he was sussing me out? Maybe he didn't realise I was there?

'Dunno.

'But I wasn't intimidated.'

Makhachev has claimed that the Aussie has an excuse to lose the fight because he took it on such short notice - but Volkanovski dismissed these comments.

'This whole 'nothing to lose' talk is silly,' Volkanovski said.

'Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of pressure on Islam, and I understand that, but I have to take this rematch that I want so bad – this lightweight title, and we talk about legacy. If I were to lose, my legacy takes a big hit.

'I don't get another shot at him. I don't get another shot at the lightweight title. You know what I mean? Like, how much longer do I have? We don't know these things.

'There's definitely a lot to lose for me. I think he takes a big hit with a loss to his legacy, losing to someone who's the featherweight champ, a division below, coming on 11 days notice.

'Again, there's a lot of pressure on him. No pressure on me. I'm not letting in the pressure, but there's still a lot to lose for me.'