Alexander Volkanovski has admitted he no longer cares about the UFC championship belt, revealing that winning it back didn’t feel the way he thought it would.
But as he prepares to defend his featherweight crown against Movsar Evloev in just under two weeks, the Aussie has a warning for anyone who thinks he’s lost his hunger.
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Volk says he will still train harder than anyone trying to beat him. And when he walks towards the Octagon, he’s thinking about who’s waiting back home – his family.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Volk revealed how his victory over Diego Lopes forced him to reassess what being champion actually meant to him.
After coming back from knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria to reclaim the featherweight title, Australia’s greatest MMA fighter had expected to finally appreciate having the belt around his waist.
“I really did notice after winning the title against Lopes that I really don’t care about the belt,” Volkanovski said.
“It’s hard to explain. Like me accomplishing that at that age, coming off KO losses and all that, that was massive.
“I’m glad I was able to overcome that and send good messages like that. But the belt, I was quite disappointed afterwards.”
That reaction surprised even Volk, who had spoken before the fight about wanting to savour being champion.
“I was even saying that I can’t wait to win this and then be able to finally appreciate being a champion,” he said.
“And then I came to realise that I did not care one bit. I was disappointed that I was disappointed. If that makes sense. It was weird.”
It did, however, clear one thing up.
“But then sort of being like, well, at least I know … I don’t need any of that,” he said.
Volk knows how those comments might sound to an opponent or fight fans, but insists he won’t be cutting any corners in the gym.
“They’re going to think, ‘Oh, he doesn’t care, he’s going to lose that drive.’ But I’m not that guy,” he said.
“If I’m going to take a fight, I’m going to train harder than anyone. Even if these guys think they want it more than me, I guarantee I’m working harder. That’s just who I am.
“If I do it, I do it properly, and that’s just how it is. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
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As for what still drives him, Volk only has to think about who’s waiting at home.
Speaking with Matty Johns on Main Event, Volkanovski revealed what goes through his mind before making one of the sport’s most popular walkouts.
“For me, I warm up and I’m usually pretty chill, and then it gets to the point: ‘All right, I’ve got a family back home that I need to be successful for,’” he said.
“I’m going to bring this belt back home for my family, and that’s just how I look at it.
“I don’t care about legacy. I don’t care about belts and all that sort of stuff. I’m trying to be successful for my family. The best way to do that is keep winning.
“And I think there’s no bigger motivation than that.”
Once “Down Under” starts blaring and he walks to the cage under green and gold lights, he reminds himself to keep things simple.
The game plan. Where he is. What he needs to do.
“To keep myself composed as I’m walking out, even when I’m in the cage, I just remember to think of the game plan,” he said.
“I just sort of explain to myself where we are and what we are doing.
“Let’s go and do it. Don’t make it bigger than it is. He’s just another guy.”
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Meanwhile, Volkanovski has also caught the attention of former rival Islam Makhachev — this time with a blond wig.
The Aussie posted a clip of himself in costume for the new Street Fighter movie, which is out this week, prompting a cheeky response from Makhachev.
“2-3,” he wrote.
It was a nod to his famous “two, three years in Dagestan and forget” line.
The pair have since become mates, with Makhachev recently inviting Volk to Dagestan for training and a hunting trip during an appearance on Main Event Australia.
The Russian superstar has zero interest in coming back Down Under, though. The last time he was in Australia he almost lost his title.
“Bro, I told you… I message you. I don’t like Australia,” he told Volkanovski.
“You give me a hard time there, bro. It’s better to come to Dagestan.”
Makhachev also urged him to bring company and shoot an episode of Cooking With Volk.
“Bring your nutrition team and cook for us in fight week,“ he said. ”Please give us good food. Because my team give me food, no salt, no pepper, very hard to eat.”