But, like most things, the situation needs to be adapted in 2021. And as he gears up to take on Brian Ortega and defend his world featherweight belt at UFC 260 in March, at a venue to be announced, the Illawarra product's pre-fight camp will be held much closer to home.

It will take place right here in Windang, in fact.

"I can't get to New Zealand, usually I go to New Zealand and do a bit of my camp there. We won't be able to do that," 33-year-old Volkanovski told the Mercury.

"But we're going to bring a lot of the top Australian UFC and MMA fighters to us and we're just going to do our camp here at Freestyle Fighting Gym. It's exciting. We're going to have a lot of good guys here doing their camps because a couple of guys are fighting at a similar time. We'll all be in good nick and pushing each other. We'll be primed and ready.

"It's unreal because this is why I do it. I always say that it's bigger than me. I'm not just doing this for me, I'm doing this for my family, my teams, for Wollongong, my country, my heritage. It's so much bigger than me. It will mean a lot bringing my belt home to Australia, home to Wollongong. It's pretty incredible to have that support. The good thing is it's pretty easy for me to give back. I just need to win title and bring it back home. That's my way of saying thank you for the support."

Read more: Volkanovski to defend world featherweight title in March

However, standing in Volkanovski's way is Ortega, an American who boasts a 15-1 fighting record. His latest victory came against Chan Sung Jung in October 2020.

'Volko', who defended his title with a split-decision win over Max Holloway last July, said afterwards that he wanted to fight the best in his division and be remembered as the featherweight GOAT.

The man with a 22-1 record respects Ortega, but won't be overawed by his opponent.

"Obviously there's things you need to be careful about with him. I won't go to the ground, obviously with his jiu jitsu. If there's one spot I don't want to be, it's playing jiu jitsu with Ortega. He's very dangerous. One slip up within a shot, you've got to be careful [because] he can wrap that neck up," he said.

"But other than that, I think I'm just levels ahead. I feel like I can just fight my fight, be in his face, and I think I'm just going to be too much. There are new challenges because he's a danger fighter whose always looking for that shot, looking for that finish. I just think I'm going to be too much and not let him have that opportunity.

"It will definitely be an entertaining fight. I'm there to be putting that pressure on, I'm going to be in his face, so that's always exciting. I believe it's going to be an action-packed one. I'm already in good nick and the way I'm training, it's going to be high pace. And I don't think anyone in the world can keep up with [me]. So I can't wait."