Zac Lomax is sparring UFC fighters to ready for what could be a shock career shakeup — with one of Australia’s leading fight trainers adamant the former NSW Origin winger would “smoke” rival crossover boxing stars.
Only a fortnight after quitting his $2.6 million deal with the Parramatta Eels, Lomax has been spotted training almost daily inside the Wollongong gym of UFC featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski.
Earlier this week, the 27-year-old worked out with a trio of UFC fighters – Jimmy Crute, Jamie Mullarkey and Jono Micallef – and is slated to spar light heavyweight Crute at Freestyle Fighting Gym before the weekend.
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Will Zac Lomax join the rival R360 comp? | 05:57
Apart from confirming the sessions with Fox Sports Australia, Volkanovski’s head coach Joe Lopez also revealed Lomax is “100 per cent interested” in having a crack at both Mixed Martial Arts and boxing.
Lopez has already told the former Eel he would prefer him to trial boxing first.
And when quizzed on Lomaz possibly entering the ring before making his touted move to either French Rugby or R360, the trainer said: “Exactly what happens will be up to Zac.
“But I just know that when he isn’t training for footy, he’s always here doing stuff with us.
“And Zac is definitely talented.
“[Laughs] I actually don’t want to say too much because his head is big enough already … but, yeah, he’s gifted.
“And I know this is something that he’s 100 per cent interested in.
“Has been for some time, too.
“So if he really applies himself to this, who knows?
“When it comes to world class boxers, no not yet. But if Zac was going to fight, say, another couple of NRL players, I think he smokes ‘em.”
Widely regarded as one of Australia’s best combat coaches, Lopez famously transformed Volkanovski from a nuggety Warilla Gorillas prop into one of the UFC’s greatest – and has also been quietly working with Lomax for some time.
Earlier this month, Parramatta confirmed their 2025 star signing had been granted an immediate release to explore opportunities outside the NRL, with the Blues representative linked with a move to French rugby.
Lomax was also linked to the breakaway R360 competition, although that option may now be gone after his manager, Clinton Schifcofske, withdrew from talks with the rebel competition.
Regardless, Lopez insists the leaguie could take a fight now and have real success.
“I’ve had a few NRL boys in here do some sparring and they’re all tough,” the coach continued. “But the difference with Zac, he has some real talent.
“I actually think no matter what sport this kid applies himself to, he would do well.
“When it comes to fighting too, Zac has a very good eye for judging distance, which is also something Volk had from the very start.
“When they’re moving around in there, both guys know where they can and can’t be hit.
“That’s really hard to train.
“But Zac has that naturally, he just understands distance and timing.”
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia way back in March, Lomax revealed how he had actually considered quitting the NRL to pursue fighting during his tumultuous 2024 exit from St George Illawarra.
It’s understood the winger initially approached Dragons coaching staff about, first, an MMA bout, and then a professional boxing appearance, only to have both denied when the request progressed higher to club executives.
There have also been whispers suggesting Lomax was then coaxed to the Eels, in part, because coach Brad Arthur was happy for him to fight on the side – as had already been the case for powerhouse Parramatta prop Junior Paulo.
However, Arthur was then sacked by the club and Jason Ryles brought in for the 2025 season.
Lomax has already spent years training in combat sports and, during his time with St George Illawarra, was working out of Volkanovski’s gym three times a week while also sparring regularly with former Australian super middleweight Tyler Sargent-Jackson.
Asked exactly how close he came to switching sports during the height of his Dragons contract saga, Lomax told us in May: “Ah, that’s a tough one.
“And who knows?
“Ultimately, I’m somebody who likes to test myself as much as I can.
“That’s why I left my previous club, to test myself and see where my game can go.
“And I remember (during the contract saga) talking to my family a little bit about things.
“Different scenarios.
“I was weighing up different options and thinking about where my passions were leaning.
“And boxing and MMA is something I love …”
Pushed on how close he came, Lomax continued: “Fighting’s something I’ve loved so much from a young age.
“And something I love so much now because I always feel myself getting better.
“It’s like when people are a professional in one sport, then they go and do another one and love it because they feel themselves getting better.
“That’s me.
“I love that, too.
“And you never know what the right choice is.
“But you end up talking to your loved ones and then making your decision based on what you think is right at that time.”
Eels release Lomax from contract | 00:44
Eventually, the Eels won out.
But with Lomax now on the move again, having quit the NRL just one season into a four-year deal, there is now growing talk about a potential fight debut.
“This is what he wants to do, and I know he has definitely been close a few times,” Lopez said.
“We’ve spoken about a few things already and I’m actually pushing Zac towards boxing over MMA.
“And not because he couldn’t be good at MMA, but there is just so much more to learn.
“That’s why if he does want to have a go, initially, I’d like to see him take a couple of boxing fights and see how he pulls up.
“Then if he wants to go further, he can.
“Because like I said, the kid is very talented.”
And as for working out with the UFC crew?
“Zac’s a had a few spars with a few of the boys already,” coach continued. “And I know he and Jimmy Crute will also have a spar later this week.
“So that will be a good test. Let’s see how things go when big Jimmy is whacking him in the head.”
Both Crute and Micallef, who live and train in Melbourne, have this week driven up to spend some time training with Lopez before Christmas, while Mullarkey has relocated permanently from the Central Coast.
All three fighters are coming off wins and are now hoping to be part of a blockbuster UFC card slated for Sydney in February, and with Volkanovski tipped as the headline act.
Asked about Crute specifically, Lopez said: “I really can’t speak highly enough of Jimmy.
“There was a while there where he was second guessing himself, but not anymore.
“Jimmy Crute has his mojo back. It really reminds me of when he first came into the UFC.
“Which is so great to see because Jimmy is a great fighter, great guy and trains incredibly hard.
“Same with Jonathan.
“Watching him fight, I’ve always been impressed. But now to see him in training as well … this guy is really going to be one to look out for. He’s going to be a real handful as he gets more experienced.”
Lopez also said UFC lightweight Mullarkey is eager to get back in the cage following his September win over Rolando Bedoya.
“Jamie was back in the gym the next week, has been here ever since and is really keen to go again,” the coach said.