Long before he was one of the greatest super bantamweights on planet earth, Sam Goodman was a bush footy ball boy.

Specifically, with Albion Park Oat Flats.

That gritty, South Coast club who for as long as anyone can remember – dating way back even before even Goodman’s old man, Steve, was running around in first grade — had one of those wonderfully tribal rivalries with nearby neighbours, the Warilla Gorillas.

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Which, immediately, will give many fight fans an idea of where this yarn is going.

Understanding that when it comes to those famed Gorillas of Group 7 … well, one of their own Old Boys has, like Goodman, also gone and done OK in recent years while travelling the world, throwing fists.

And by OK, we mean rising up to become arguably the greatest UFC fighter anywhere now, and maybe ever.

“Absolute beast,” is how Goodman describes Alexander Volkanovski, that fellow fighter, ‘Gong boy and good mate who on Sunday week will throw down for the UFC lightweight title on 11 days notice.

With Australia’s UFC featherweight champ having, only this week, agreed to parachute in and face feared Dagestani wrestler Islam Makhachev, who he also fought, and contentiously lost against, at UFC 284 in February.

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All up, a challenge which online this week, is being aptly portrayed by meme showing South Park’s Randy Marsh carrying his oversized cajones about in a wheelbarrow.

“And how can you not love that?” Goodman said, going again about a mate he has increasingly got to know in recent years as, together, they have climbed the ranks, and rankings, of their respective sports.

“Here is Volk, once again, taking on the guy who everyone sees as the bogeyman.

“A fighter who a lot of people think he should’ve got the nod against that first time around.

“It just proves he’s an absolute savage and I just really hope he pulls this off.”

Which is a little different to what he thought of Volk back in the early 2000s, right?

Back when then nuggety No.10 was ripping and tearing into his beloved Eagles in those biggest of bush rivalry clashes.

With ‘Footy Volk’ not only weighing 97kg, but winning games, titles, even the Mick Cronin medal for best player in Group 7.

But Goodman?

“I was the Albian Park ballboy,” he says, grinning.

“I played all my juniors with the club and would always be there for seniors as well because dad would be at the ground watching with his mates having a few beers.

“So when Volk was winning premierships for Warilla I would have been the ball boy.

“Probably did a couple of those grand finals he played in.

“And our two clubs, there is a long rivalry there.

“Every time the teams play, you’re never missing that game.

“There have even been times more recently where Albion Park plays Warilla and I’ll drive down from the Central Coast, and then back again same day, just to make sure I don’t miss the game.

“That’s what it means to us.”

Which is also why in his undefeated career now stretching through 15 fights, Goodman wears the Eagles colours of maroon and white on his trunks.

While up in the crowd, and among a supporter crew known as the ‘Mad Bunch’, there are scores of Albion Park players, coaches, supporters, committee and volunteers.

All of whom will be in full voice – and many, just full – when the fighter now ranked No.1 contender for both the IBF and WBO straps faces tough Mexican Miguel Flores this Sunday on the Tim Tszyu vs Brian Mendoza undercard.

Then seven days later, Volkanovski looks to become a two-division champ in Abu Dhabi.

Asked about his own fight, and that Mexican rival who had a draw with Abner Mares last start, and went the distance with Leo santa Cruz in 2019, Goodman insists he is ready for a war.

“Going the distance with Leo Santa Cruz, that’s probably the biggest name on his resume,” the Aussie says of Flores.

“And Flores, he went to war with him, too.

“Wasn’t afraid to trade.

“But every time the guy steps up, he has been beat.

“And same thing happens Sunday.”

Expect him to fight you like he did against Santa Cruz?

“I do,” Goodman continued.

“He’s got that Mexican style about him, that grunt.

“And at mid range, he is definitely dangerous.

“Puts good combinations together.

“Is good in short as well for a guy with long reach.

“So it will be interesting to see where he takes this fight.

“He’ll be looking to come forward and have a go.

“But I’ll be giving him no confidence early and taking everything he does well away from him … he’ll come into my world.”