He's the undisputed champion, but Illawarra's UFC hero Alex Volkanovski believes he still has a long road to walk to be considered the greatest ever.
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Volkanovski has won 20 straight fights, including against legends of the octagon like Max Holloway, Jose Aldo and Brian Ortega.
On Sunday (AEST), he's intent on adding the Korean Zombie Chan Sung Jung to his hitlist in the featherweight title bout.
The ruthless streak of success has placed him in rarified air, but Volkanovski is planning three victories this year to secure his legacy at the top of the all-time UFC list in his division.
"I believe I've got more work to do," Volkanovski said of his standing.
"I give (Aldo) that respect to be champion for as long as he was, he's incredible.
"With opposition like I'm facing with him and Max, I'm fighting absolutely killers, its pretty clear, but at the same time, to be champion for a long time, there's going to be days where you don't show up, bad weight cuts, injuries, you name it.
"We've all done it and it's a nightmare, you've got to be out there to defend your belt and for him to be there for so long, that's saying something. Do I think I need that many defences? No I don't. Do I think I'm there right now? No I'm not going to claim that yet."
Still, Volkanovski is comfortable he's proven himself at the highest level and is no longer trying to silence the doubters about his ability.
"You're talking to the champ," he said.
"I want to wear this crown, I earned it, I deserve it, I don't feel like I'm being cocky by owning that crown that I deserve to wear. The freedom I have, it's incredible, you're talking to the champ now, not just the guy you know from down the road, which I've always been."
The Zombie has a 17-6 career record, but has won almost half of those by submission, whereas a higher percentage of Volkanovski's success has come by decision, his last knockout coming four fights ago against against Chad Mendes.
Volkanovski though, is adamant his all-round fight game is a level above anything the Zombie can throw at him.
"He'll eat one and give one, which is always a fun fight," he said. "It's going to leave a lot of openings for me, I'm going to be calculated, I'm not going to be silly.
"You come at me and try to find my chin, I'm going to walk forward and I'm going to make you pay."
For his part, the Korean Zombie knows he has a golden chance in Florida to put an exclamation mark on a decorated career.
He admits Volkanovski is the best all-round fighter he has seen, but maintains the featherweight title is a destiny he's been waiting for.
"These past 15 years have been the process of going for this belt, (I'm) going to enjoy this fight, instead of being nervous," he said at a press conference in the US, via an interpreter.
"It's a dream to win this belt, (I'm) so excited.
"It's really difficult to put them all in one type of ranking, because their styles are all different.
"For example, (I) was really scared of getting knocked out by Jose Aldo, so in that sense, Jose Aldo is the top rank.
"Volkanovski on the other hand, is a very smart fighter, (I) really don't see myself getting knocked out by Volkanovski, but in terms of fight IQ, Volkanovski is the best fighter that (I've) experienced."
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Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
