EXCLUSIVE: Volkanovski on all things UFC 290 + why he backs Zuckerberg

EXCLUSIVE: Alexander Volkanovski on why Yair Rodriguez is his ‘most dangerous’ opponent, chasing the Islam Makhachev rematch and why he’s ‘team Zuckerberg’ in bizarre touted mega-fight with Elon Musk

• Alexander Volkanovski takes on Yair Rodriguez in main event of UFC 290  
• Australian believes his opponent is the most dangerous challenger he can face 
• He also weighed in on the Mark Zuckerberg vs Elon Musk potential fight 
• Follow Mail Sport on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@mailsport 

From a pound-for-pound mega-fight on home turf, to headlining International Fight Week in Las Vegas – Alexander Volkanovski fought tooth and nail to land here.

The 5ft 6in Aussie stands tall as the man the UFC have charged with carrying two monster events in 2023 – the second of which is this Saturday’s headliner with Yair Rodriguez. 

It hasn’t always been like this. Volkanovski, for whatever reason, had to wait for the acclaim and adoration to catch up with his achievements in the octagon. 

He is a pound-for-pound superstar, only dubiously knocked off by Jon Jones, a dominant champion of a division teeming with sharks and ideal ambassador for MMA. 

Finally, validation has arrived and it tastes all the sweeter after the struggle to reach the top, the 32-year-old exclusively told Mail Sport.

Alexander Volkanovski is fired up to defend his featherweight title in main event at UFC 290

The Australian fighter faces Yair Rodriguez (right) this weekend at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

‘It’s an amazing feeling for me to finally be there because it wasn’t easy, let’s be real,’ he says. 

‘To headline a massive card in Australia, pound-for-pound No 1 vs No 2 and now International Fight Week, it’s pretty incredible and just shows you where I’m at in my career right now and with the UFC as well. 

‘I’m very lucky and fortunate to be in this position and I just need to capitalise on it.’

Few gave Volkanovski a chance back in February when he ambitiously jumped up to face formidable lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. 

He pushed him all the way in an absolute classic, belieing the size disadvantage and only narrowly losing on the scorecards. 

Until then, Volkanovski had won 22 fights in succession and lost just once, now a decade ago. 

So how did he handle it? Did he chew on it and fret about what could have been a crowning night as two weight champion? 

‘I got over the Makhachev one pretty quickly. Play on, you know what I mean. As hard as it was, I moved on, got back in the gym to focus on the next thing. 

‘As soon as I got home I’m daddy, as soon as I’m in the gym I’m focusing on who’s next, I’m lucky in that I’m able to do that. 

Volkanovski still wants to face Islam Makhachev in a rematch but says he got over the loss fast

The Australian lost a decision against the Russian in a huge clash on home turf at UFC 284

‘As much as it sucked not getting my hand raised… play on. I think that is a good trait to have especially in this crazy sort of world and business that we’re in. 

‘I definitely still think of it (the defeat), I’m here focused on Yair but 100 percent I want that rematch. I wanted it as soon as I walked out of that octagon because I knew what I needed to do straight away. Right now we’ll do Rodriguez  and see what’s up after that.’

So what of Rodriguez? The Mexican can be a magician on the feet and the general consensus is that his unpredictability is his greatest weapon. 

Volkanovski has him down as the most dangerous opponent he’s faced. 

‘Is he my toughest fight? There’s different ways you can see it. Toughest or most dangerous… the danger factor. 

‘He’s definitely the most dangerous in our division. Then you have other fights that are more challenging in different ways. 

‘You’ve got Max, who is tough, going to be there the whole time and is very skilful – in your face. There are different challenges. Some guys are a real wrestling threat, it all depends on the guy. But danger factor, Yair is definitely right up there.

‘Training partners give you the right looks to make you ready for anything that comes. And there are things I can do to take a lot of that creativity away from him. 

He has beaten Max Holloway three times and says Rodriguez is his most dangerous opponent

‘Because he is so unpredictable, you’re never going to be able to completely shut him down because he will literally just throw things on the fly. 

‘I can take away a lot of his tools but there’s always going to be something coming at you. You’ve got to be on your toes and having the right training partners definitely helps with that. That’s all I can give away.’

At featherweight Volkanovski has been unbeatable in the UFC, but many dominant champions have found their motivation start to wane. 

The likes of Georges St Pierre and Jon Jones became almost fatigued by their own ability to line them up and knock them down. 

Challengers always have the appetite to train like madmen for what can often be their one chance at the belt. 

So how does a champion keep himself up for the fight and prevent a drop-off?  

‘I just stay hungry through discipline,’ he explains. ‘Discipline is always going to get me through. I’m always going to be better because of that. But obviously we have new challenges and things like that. 

‘Even with Yair Rodriguez, seeing the threats, seeing the challenges and working gameplans for that excites me. I don’t need motivation to train hard but at least it keeps it exciting. 

30-year-old Rodriguez is one of the most entertaining and unpredictable fighters in the UFC

‘I’ll train hard either way, doing what I need to do every single time. But keeping it exciting, new flavours involved, it’s pretty cool so that definitely keeps you going. 

‘I don’t need to try to stay motivated, that will never happen with me where I’ll lose motivation, I’m too disciplined for that. I have a standard, I have a preparation and I keep that every single time, no matter how long I’m champion for. 

One of the more bizarre stories to hit the headlines recently is Dana White talking up a fight between tech billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. 

Neither man has distanced themselves from the idea and White says he is trying to work out a way to have them compete in the octagon. 

Volkanovski is friends with Zuckerberg and – while many dismisses the potential fight as a gimmick – he sees the plus side of more eyes on MMA.     

‘We (Zuckerberg) will probably catch up while I’m here in Vegas’, he said. 

‘It’s interesting… obviously a lot of people are talking about it so even the fact that this is happening is great for the sport and I think it even brings a lot of new eyes to the sport, having two of the most powerful men talking about the UFC and fighting. 

‘You never know, I think these guys are serious! I’ve got Zuck, obviously I’ve got nothing against Elon but I know Zuck and I know he’s pretty athletic and trains MMA, striking and grappling which goes a long way. 

Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk have agreed to fight each other in a cage over social media 

Zuckerberg (pictured competing in Brazilian jiu jitsu) is backed by Volkanovski to beat Musk

‘Elon has the size advantage, so it would be an interesting one but I’m backing my boy Zuck.’

Zuckerberg could well be cageside this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena to cheer on the Australian. 

But what kind of fight can he expect to see? 

‘Aaand still! That’s how I see it ending. How do I finish it? I think it can go many ways. 

‘I can see myself getting the KO, I can see myself getting a submission and obviously I can see myself getting a decision. But we want one of the first two…’

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