IN a sport known for it’s brutality, rising UFC featherweight Alex Volkanovski is one of MMA’s genuine good guys.
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Visit him at Freestyle Fighting Gym at Windang, it’s hard to even get those “mean mugging” photos most fighters pose for. He can’t keep the smile off his face.
It’s a refreshing approach. In a vocation where theatrics outside the cage grab just as much attention as what goes on in it, the soon-to-be father of two is not about to change who he is.
“I’m a good guy I don’t need to act, I don’t need to put on a show, I’m just going to go out there and do what I do,” Volkanovski says.
“Everyone’s wants to play the bad guy these days with all the trash-talking and stuff like that. They get all the attention.
“No one really plays the good guy but that’s who I am. I’m more than ready to take all the bad boys on. If they want to call people out, then call me out. Hopefully the nice guys can make some of that money too.”
It’s a stance Volkanovski gave voice to in the immediate aftermath to his second UFC victory, a comfortable unanimous decision win over seasoned Japanese fighter Mizuto Hirota, at UFC Auckland a fortnight ago.
It followed what most people in the know considered a belated UFC debut in November last year, a second-round TKO victory over Yusuke Kasuya.
After years toiling away on the domestic scene, it was emotional victory for the 28-year-old, but one he’s quickly pushed aside as he chases much loftier goals in the sport.
“I always knew I was going to make it into the UFC, but to finally do it was just a relief,” Volkanovski said.
“It was unreal to finally get in there and do it, but now I’m looking past that. I always focus on what’s next rather than dwell on what’s happened.
“My next goal is taking that belt, so you probably won’t see that sort of reaction again until I get that belt. I don’t look at it as ‘I’m finally here’ I look at it as ‘hurry up, lets get through these ranks’.”
He’ll be looking to claim the gold in one of the most stacked divisions in the UFC that recently crowned a new champion in Max Holloway, who stopped Brazilian legend Jose Aldo at UFC 212.
“It was a great fight and I’ve definitely got my eyes on those guys because that’s my goal,’ Volkanovski said.
“It doesn’t seem that long ago I was trying to get in the UFC, now I’m looking at these top guys and thinking ‘I’ll see you soon’.”
Currently nursing a fractured orbital bone from his win over Hirota, the former Warilla Gorillas prop is on the hunt for a top 15 opponent when he next enters the octagon.
“I’d fight for the title now if I could, but obviously you need to make your way up the rankings,” he said.
“I got into the UFC a bit later than I would like, so I need to get up those ranks quickly. It’s a stacked division, so for me to make my way up the ranks I need to fight as often as I can.
“I’m hoping to get a ranked, top 15 opponent [next] and get an impressive win. It doesn’t take long after that.”
Volkanovski’s rise comes at a boom time for Australian MMA, with Rob Whittaker set to take on Cuban veteran Yoel Romero for the UFC’s interim middleweight title on July 8.
“[Whittaker’s] absolutely killing it at the moment and he’s fighting for that interim title,” Volkanovski said.
“That’s huge and I definitely think he can win that fight. I think he can win the [middleweight] title fight as well, so I’m looking forward to tuning in.
“He’s doing great things for MMA in Australia. Hopefully I can be doing that soon as well and make Australia proud.”