It’s easy to see why Alexander Volkanovski is one of the most beloved fighters in the world. With a legacy that speaks for itself and a career as an athlete that’s possibly the greatest of all time in the UFC’s featherweight division, he’s a force to be reckoned with. But what really sets him apart is his down-to-earth personality – always ready with a smile for fans and the media, and never one to disrespect his opponents.
However, Volkanovski had a tough time not too long ago. After his defeat by decision to Islam Makhachev in his attempt to move up to lightweight, he found himself facing a grueling schedule – four fights in just over a year, from February 2023 to February 2024, including brutal KO losses to Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. It was a period that took a toll on him, both physically and mentally.
As he confessed to Ariel Helwani, “It was hard.” The constant fighting and lack of ideal preparation had caught up with him. “I’ve been a fighter for so many years that I didn’t know anything different… I never worked on myself at all. I treated myself as a machine: in the gym, constantly striving, constantly, constantly. I had no time for anything else. I had no ‘time for me’ or anything like that, and I’m fine with that. That’s what’s needed to be elite.” But now, he’s come to realize the importance of taking care of himself, both in and out of the octagon.
This newfound understanding comes as Volkanovski prepares to return to the cage after almost a year and a half of inactivity. He’s set to fight for the vacant featherweight title against Diego Lopes in Miami on April 12. “I had a responsibility for all this money… so I thought: ‘Okay, I’m champion. Now I can earn a lot of money. How much more time do I have?'” The pressure was mounting, and he didn’t fully understand how to handle it. But after two knockout losses, he made the decision to take a step back and focus on himself.
“I made the decision and accepted the decision to have an appropriate rest,” he said. “That was not my decision before. I wanted to fight (after Makhachev’s defeat) and they were stopping me, and I was still doing the complete training program with nothing really in sight.” It was a strange and challenging time, but one that ultimately taught him a valuable lesson.
## Sacrifice everything
To be the best in the world, you have to be willing to make sacrifices. As Volkanovski puts it, “If you want to be the best fighter in the world, you have to sacrifice everything and even sacrifice a little of yourself.” It’s a mantra he’s lived by for years, and one that’s allowed him to achieve greatness in the octagon.
“I sacrificed a lot for me for so many years to be able to take care of my family, and that’s what’s needed,” he explains. “And I’m fine with that, especially now with the fact that I will be fine later. Before I wasn’t sure if I was going to be fine. Now I know I will be. I feel great. The free time was incredible.” With a newfound appreciation for the importance of self-care and a refreshed perspective, Volkanovski is ready to make his return to the UFC and reclaim his title.
