Alex Volkanovski is a man who knows what he wants. The featherweight, who resides in New South Wales with his wife and young daughter, has his eyes set on the big time and with UFC Brisbane just around the corner, the time is now to take a leap of faith and put it all on the line.
Volkanovski startedย the foundation of his MMA career as a youth wrestler at the localย Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC), an unusual past time for a young boy in Australia, but he took to it like a duck on water and soon found himself competing in, and winning, national championships. Despite his natural talent, Volkanovski eventually swapped the tights for rugby shorts, a sport he would play for ten years winning multiple best and fairest, players player awards and the coveted Mick Cronin medal.
Like most athletes Volkanovskiย utilised MMA as a form of training to keep fit for rugby, but it wouldnโt be long before itย became all-consuming, taking two fights in the middleweight division (and winning) during his last season of rugby against men twice the size of him. It was the rush of adrenaline and a new challenge that made Volkanovski realise that behind the cage door was where he truly belonged. And so, his career as a fighter began.
โAt first people said I was crazy but now they look back and know it was a good decision.โ Volkanovski told Fight News Australia. The initial doubt is understandable, when Volkanovski began MMA the sport was very much in its infancy in Australia; sure the UFC had growing viewershipย but itโs fair to say that the local fight scene was barely a blip on the radar ofย country that is sports mad. For Volkanovski the road has been a long and sometimes frustrating one, from cage bans to struggling for legitimacy, the sport of MMA has had its set backs but times are slowly changing with local mixed martial artistsย starting to receive the recognition they deserve as professional athletes.
Over the course of his career Volkanovski has racked up an impressive 11 victories, and only a single loss, across three divisions before finally finding a home at featherweight. Whilst the weight cut was initially challenging, Volkanovski admits it is getting easier with every fight; a new diet regime in particularย meant that he cruised through preparation for his last fight only having to drop a couple of kilos in the sauna before facingย ย Japanโs Yusuku Yachi for the PXC featherweight title last month. A fight he said was his biggest challenge to date.
โRanking wise he was very well ranked and he was really big, huge in fact. I was not expecting a featherweight to be that big. I honestly thought Iโd be stronger and finish the fight quickly but he showed a lot more strength and took me into the fourth round, which Iโm not used to. Thankfully, though, I always train for the worst so Iโm always fit enough.โ
As a man who prides himself on fighting the best, Volkanovski has cemented himself as the oneย to beat at featherweight in Australia, a title young gun Jamie Mullarkey is keen to take away when they face off atย AFCย 15ย on March 19th in Melbourne. ย For Volkanovski it was only aย matter of time before his path collided with the undefeated Mullarkey (8-0), the Brace featherweight champion has been on an impressive rise to the top of Australian MMA finishing all but one of his eight victories since making his professional debut in 2013. The two, who have trained together in the past, share a mutual respect for each other but Volkanovski is adamant itโs just business as usual.
โI know that Jamie is very tough and heโs definitely going to be at the top for a while but I believe Iโm on another level. When I tell people I want to get into the UFC itโs not about getting in, Iโm looking to set a statement in the top ranks. Iโm not going to the UFC just to make it. Iโm already looking past that, Iโm looking all the way. Now Iโm focused on Jamie and Iโllย push for UFC but that if that doesnโt happen, me and Jamie will put on a show.โ
Itโs no secret that Volkanovski is gunningย for a spot on the UFC Brisbane card which is held the same weekend as AFC 15. He recently posted a statement on his Facebook page notingย that he would be defending his title at AFC but will also be training with the full intention of accepting an invitation from the UFC should he get the opportunity. Volkanovski, and his fans, have not been quiet on the subject matter orchestrating a hashtag campaign (#SignVolkanovski) which can be seen blowing up twitter timelines across the globe to capture the attention of UFC brass.
โI want to have an Australian UFC champion and if Dana gives me that shot, Iโm getting better all the time, and thereโs a good chance I can make it all the way. They want impressive fights? They say itโs a business and they want to entertain? Iโm all about that. Iโm all about finishes, Iโm all about making statements. Iโm always thinking how Iโm going to knock this guy out. Itโs always on my mind, so if they want an entertaining fight, sign me up.โ
AFC 15 takes place at The Melbourne Pavilion on the 19th March 2016 whilst UFC Fight Night 84 takes place at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on the 20th March 2016.