Fox Sports Australia’s Nick Walshaw brings you all the latest news and views in Aussie and global MMA in his weekly column, The Takedown.

Jack Jenkins, not so long ago, was pouring schooners while listening to barflies tell him how, yeah, kid you can fight, but not good enough to beat the Americans.

Or Brazilians.

And what hope against a fella like Alexander Volkanovski?

That gutsy Sydneysider who in the four years since winning UFC gold has not only risen up to become the greatest fighter now, but arguably ever.

Order UFC 293 Sydney: Adesanya v Strickland, Tuivasa v Volkov. Sun 10 Sept. Main Event on Kayo Sports

Of course, what the barflies didn’t know about Jenkins, he was already sparring ‘Volk’.

Still is.

“And each time,” the 30-year-old Melbournian says, “I feel like the gap is closing”.

Which is why, despite sharing a close bond with Australia’s No.1 fighter, Jenkins now heads into Sunday’s UFC 293 card – where he faces American Chepe ‘Machine Gun’ Mariscal — with the goal of next year taking on Volkanovski for his UFC featherweight strap.

Which isn’t something he says to brag.

Just as the champ, too, has already welcomed his training partner’s challenge exactly as you’d expect a bloke who has beaten Max Holloway three times.

No animosity or heat. No catcalling, either.

Just two Aussies boys willing to throw down.

All of which would make for some story, right?

Especially given Jenkins has not only busted the legs of five opponents, so devastating are his kicks, or gone undefeated in his first two UFC appearances, but like Volkanovski also knows what it is to rise up with an empty bank account.

“Before the UFC, I was dead broke,” the fighter says.

“For six years, never had a tax return over $22,000.

“And the stress that put on me, on my partner, it’s not for everyone.

“And why not everyone gets through.

“The barriers are just too high for some.”

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Asked about Volkanovski, and Jenkins says the pair have been training together since he was 21 and the ‘The Great’ on the cusp of his first Octagon walk.

Should all go to plan, the Bacchus Marsh product says he would love to challenge the champ in an all-Australian showdown at the end of 2024 – when, if everything goes to plan, Volkanovski would likely be looking to break Jose Aldo’s run of seven straight defences.

Currently, Volk has five.

Asked about their first ever sparring session, Jenkins laughs: “Volk bashed the s… out of me’.

“But over time I’m getting closer and closer.

“And, look, there is no secret about it – there’s still a gap between us.

“But I’m keen to keep minimizing it each month and, if eventually the opportunity does present itself, I’d be keen to see if I’ve closed the gap enough to get that belt.”

Importantly, Jenkins is also following the same UFC title timeline set by both Volkanovski and UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya.

“This time next year, I would like to be talking about the possibility of a title shot,” Jenkins continues.

“Or a number one contender shot.

“And the blueprint is there.

“Look at Izzy, he came in and averaged a fight every four months – still is – and got the title in his sixth fight.

“Volk, same thing. Averaged a fight every four months and got a title in his seventh or eighth fight.

“Initially, you can’t imagine it.

“Everything seems so big. But we’re here to take risks and that’s what I plan to do.”

TUIVASA SHEDS 30KG

Mt Druitt heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has dropped 30kg for Sunday’s UFC shodown with Russian Alexander Volkov, cackling: “When I drink, I never drink f***ing one”.

While the UFC heavyweight limit is 120kg, Tuivasa says he went as high as 150kg during an extended break from the Octagon, which followed back-to-back losses against world title contenders Cyrl Ciryl Gane and Sergei Pavlovich.

Despite having been out for 10 months, Tuivasa has entered fight week in strong shape thanks to his team at Zoo Fitness, which includes head coach Jason Lapin.

“During my time away I got up to 145, 150 kilos,” Tuivasa says. “But that’s normal for me.

“I can be that heavy and training.

“It’s just the food, grog. When I drink, I never drink f…ing one.

“But you know, I always come to fight …”

Order UFC 293 Sydney: Adesanya v Strickland, Tuivasa v Volkov. Sun 10 Sept. Main Event on Kayo Sports

ADESANYA RULES OUT BOBBY K

Israel Adesanya says South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis has fumbled by not jetting into Sydney for UFC 293, while stressing Australian favourite Robert Whittaker can never reclaim gold while he is in the division.

While DDP is considered next man up in the UFC middleweight title race, Adesanya told The Takedown he may now opt for the winner of Paulo Costa versus Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294.

As revealed in this column last week, Du Plessis is not expected at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday afternoon, despite it being the perfect opportunity to ensure he remains at the top of the Adesanya queue.

“Yeah, I’ve heard he’s not coming which is a real fumble on his end,” Adesanya said.

“If he wants to stake his claim he should be here.

“But he’s not.

“So he earnt it, then he lost it.

“So now, everything is up to me. And right now, all my focus is on Sean Strickland … I don’t give a f… about homeboy.”

Adesanya was also asked if he sees a future with Whittaker, who was upset by DDP last start?

“I don’t know,” the champ replied.

“I think Rob Whittaker is a guy who will always be top five, top three, but he is never beating me.

“I’ve already beaten him twice and I’ll beat him again if there is a part three.

“But he is a dangerous man. Dangerous for anyone.

“But as long as I’m around he isn’t getting this belt.”

HOOLIGAN’S SECRET WEAPON

AUSTRALIA’S Jamie Mullarkey has a unique advantage coming into Sunday’s UFC 293 showdown against Canadian John Makdessi – with his coach having fought the same guy five years ago.

In one of the more unique storylines of the Sydney card, Mullarkey is facing the same rival his coach Ross Pearson threw down against in 2018.

While Pearson may have lost what was eventually awarded Fight of the Night honours, he learned plenty about the UFC mainstay who has been competing professionally since Mullarkey was just 14.

“It’s extremely helpful when your coach, your main training partner has spent 15 minutes in there with the same guy I’m fighting,” Mullarkey told us this week.

“He knows how Makdessi is, how he moves and we’ve worked on shutting down his game.

“Because Ross has spent that time with him, he has been able to give me the right looks, and has explained his strengths and weaknesses, which I think is a real advantage.

“Makdessi is a good opponent, dangerous, obviously very experienced which is his biggest advantage.

“But I have youth, speed and will have a higher pace.

“So we’ll see who gets their hand raised.”

An Englishman who won The Ultimate Fighter 9, Pearson fought 26 times in the UFC before eventually settling on the Central Coast, where he now runs a popular fight gym.

“And Ross is really coming into the coach’s role,” Mullarkey explains.

“At first when we met, he was still fighting himself so was more like a training partner for me.

“So moving into that coaching role where he isn’t always in there sparring with me, or on the mats, it’s been a big transition for him I think.

“We’ve both been learning and I think, now, the timing really is perfect – I’m going into my best years with him in my corner maturing as a coach.”