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== Background ==
== Background ==
Volkanovski was born in [[Shellharbour, New South Wales|Shellharbour, NSW]], Australia to [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonian]] parents. He started training wrestling at an early age which he won an Australian title when he was 12.<ref name="flocombat.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.flocombat.com/articles/5066349-from-rugby-to-ufc-alexander-volkanovski-just-wins|title=From Rugby To UFC, Alexander Volkanovski Just Wins - FloCombat|access-date=2017-11-12|language=en-US}}</ref> He switched his focus to pursue [[rugby league]] as the [[Rugby union positions|front rower]]<ref name="flocombat.com"/> when he was 14<ref name="Bloody Elbow">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2017/6/9/15749832/ufc-auckland-alex-volkanovski-transition-rugby-mma-australia-mizuto-hirota-news-interview|title=Volkanovski wants statement with ‘savage ground and pound’|work=Bloody Elbow|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> where he won Australia Rugby Mick Cronin Medal in 2010 as [[Group 7 Rugby League|Group 7]] player with the [[Warilla-Lake South Gorillas|Warilla Gorillas]] and won the Premiership with them in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4293155/ufc-debut-just-the-start-for-illawarra-hulk-alex-volkanovski/|title=UFC debut just the start for Illawarra ‘Hulk’ Alex Volkanovski|last=Latifi|first=Agron|date=15 November 2016|work=Illawarra Mercury|access-date=16 June 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.shilomagazine.com.au/en/alex-the-hulk-volkanovski-mma-champion|title=The HULK: Alex Volkanovski Australian Macedonian MMA champion {{!}} AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE|work=AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE|access-date=16 June 2017}}</ref>
Volkanovski was born in [[Shellharbour, New South Wales|Shellharbour, NSW]], Australia to [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonian]] parents. He started training wrestling at an early age which he won an Australian title when he was 12.<ref name="flocombat.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.flocombat.com/articles/5066349-from-rugby-to-ufc-alexander-volkanovski-just-wins|title=From Rugby To UFC, Alexander Volkanovski Just Wins - FloCombat|access-date=2017-11-12|language=en-US}}</ref> He switched his focus to pursue [[rugby league]] as the [[Rugby league positions#The_front_row|front rower]]<ref name="flocombat.com"/> when he was 14<ref name="Bloody Elbow">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2017/6/9/15749832/ufc-auckland-alex-volkanovski-transition-rugby-mma-australia-mizuto-hirota-news-interview|title=Volkanovski wants statement with ‘savage ground and pound’|work=Bloody Elbow|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> where he won Australia Rugby Mick Cronin Medal in 2010 as [[Group 7 Rugby League|Group 7]] player with the [[Warilla-Lake South Gorillas|Warilla Gorillas]] and won the Premiership with them in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4293155/ufc-debut-just-the-start-for-illawarra-hulk-alex-volkanovski/|title=UFC debut just the start for Illawarra ‘Hulk’ Alex Volkanovski|last=Latifi|first=Agron|date=15 November 2016|work=Illawarra Mercury|access-date=16 June 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.shilomagazine.com.au/en/alex-the-hulk-volkanovski-mma-champion|title=The HULK: Alex Volkanovski Australian Macedonian MMA champion {{!}} AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE|work=AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE|access-date=16 June 2017}}</ref>


Freestyle Fighting Gym trainer Joe Lopez said Volkanovski, who was man of the match in the 2011 Group Seven grand final when Warilla beat Gerringong, started training in MMA at the age of 22<ref name="Bloody Elbow"/> and [[Greco-Roman wrestling]] to keep fit for rugby league where he weighted 97&nbsp;kg (214 Ib).<ref>{{Citation|last=Submission Radio|title=Alex Volkanovski Reveals the Crazy Circumstances He Endured Ahead of UFC Auckland!|date=16 June 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vcmhzw5xps|accessdate=16 June 2017}}</ref> However, he soon realised he had a passion for the sport and wants to go as far as he can.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/111724/alex-volkanovski-yet-to-lose-a-cage-bout/|title=Alex Volkanovski yet to lose a cage bout|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> He switched to combat sport in 2012<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4293155/ufc-debut-just-the-start-for-illawarra-hulk-alex-volkanovski/|title=UFC debut just the start for Illawarra ‘Hulk’ Alex Volkanovski|last=Latifi|first=Agron|date=15 November 2016|work=Illawarra Mercury|access-date=8 June 2017|language=en}}</ref> where he fought in the middleweight division as he was weighted 210Ib with his 5' 6" frame prior moving the lightweight and featherweight division.<ref name="Bloody Elbow"/>
Freestyle Fighting Gym trainer Joe Lopez said Volkanovski, who was man of the match in the 2011 Group Seven grand final when Warilla beat Gerringong, started training in MMA at the age of 22<ref name="Bloody Elbow"/> and [[Greco-Roman wrestling]] to keep fit for rugby league where he weighted 97&nbsp;kg (214 Ib).<ref>{{Citation|last=Submission Radio|title=Alex Volkanovski Reveals the Crazy Circumstances He Endured Ahead of UFC Auckland!|date=16 June 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vcmhzw5xps|accessdate=16 June 2017}}</ref> However, he soon realised he had a passion for the sport and wants to go as far as he can.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/111724/alex-volkanovski-yet-to-lose-a-cage-bout/|title=Alex Volkanovski yet to lose a cage bout|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> He switched to combat sport in 2012<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4293155/ufc-debut-just-the-start-for-illawarra-hulk-alex-volkanovski/|title=UFC debut just the start for Illawarra ‘Hulk’ Alex Volkanovski|last=Latifi|first=Agron|date=15 November 2016|work=Illawarra Mercury|access-date=8 June 2017|language=en}}</ref> where he fought in the middleweight division as he was weighted 210Ib with his 5' 6" frame prior moving the lightweight and featherweight division.<ref name="Bloody Elbow"/>

Revision as of 19:53, 28 February 2018

Alex Volkanovski
Alex Volkanovski
BornAlexander Volkanovski
(1988-09-29) 29 September 1988 (age 36)[1]
Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia
Other namesThe Great[2]
The Hulk [3]
ResidenceNew South Wales, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight154 lb (70 kg; 11 st 0 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight
Lightweight
Welterweight[4]
Reach72 in (183 cm)
StyleKickboxing, Boxing, Wrestling
Fighting out ofWindang, New South Wales, Australia
TeamFreestyle Fighting Gym [1][6]
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[4]
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total18
Wins17
By knockout10
By submission3
By decision4
Losses1
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Alexander Volkanovski (born 29 September 1988) is an Australian mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He is a former two time Australian Fighting Championship (AFC) featherweight champion. He is currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[7][4]

Background

Volkanovski was born in Shellharbour, NSW, Australia to Macedonian parents. He started training wrestling at an early age which he won an Australian title when he was 12.[8] He switched his focus to pursue rugby league as the front rower[8] when he was 14[9] where he won Australia Rugby Mick Cronin Medal in 2010 as Group 7 player with the Warilla Gorillas and won the Premiership with them in 2011.[10][11]

Freestyle Fighting Gym trainer Joe Lopez said Volkanovski, who was man of the match in the 2011 Group Seven grand final when Warilla beat Gerringong, started training in MMA at the age of 22[9] and Greco-Roman wrestling to keep fit for rugby league where he weighted 97 kg (214 Ib).[12] However, he soon realised he had a passion for the sport and wants to go as far as he can.[13] He switched to combat sport in 2012[14] where he fought in the middleweight division as he was weighted 210Ib with his 5' 6" frame prior moving the lightweight and featherweight division.[9]

He appeared as a coach in Malaysia Invasion, an amateur MMA reality show.[15] Volkanovski is a good counter striker with powerful overhand right and a fantastic offensive wrestler.[16]

There are no excuses in fighting. You can be playing a team sport and have a good game, and you can lose. In fighting, it’s all on me. If I go out there and lose, then it’s my fault. I like that. So I know if I fight well, I’m going to win. I definitely love the fact that it’s all on you, and you do what you have to do to win. And each fight is like a grand final in the rugby league"[17]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Starting has an amateur, at middleweight, going 4–0 before turning professional. Volkanovski has fought in various MMA organisations in Oceania region in Asia from 2012 to July 2016 prior signed with UFC. He won Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) and two times Australian Fighting Championship Featherweight titles.[18][19] Volkanovski amassed a record of 13–1 with 10 straight wins prior joining the UFC.[20]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Volkanovski made his promotional debut on 26 November 2016 and increased his win streak to 11 with a second-round TKO against Yusuke Kasuya at UFC Fight Night 101.[21][22] He announced at the post fight press conference that he would drop from lightweight to featherweight for his next fight.[23][7]

Volkanovski was expected to face Michel Quiones on 19 February 2017 at UFC Fight Night 105. However, the bout was scrapped after Quinones suffered an injury and no replacement could be found.[24]

Volkanovski returned to Featherweight and faced Mizuto Hirota on 11 June 2017 at UFC Fight Night 110.[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]

Volkanovski was expected to face Jeremy Kennedy at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura on 19 November 2017 in Sydney, Australia.[27] However, Kennedy pulled out of the fight on 5 October citing a back injury[28] and was replaced by Humberto Bandenay.[29] On November 2017, it was announced that Bandenay would delay his UFC debut at this event due to undisclosed reason,[30] and was replaced by promotional newcomer Shane Young.[31] The bout proceeded at a catchweight at 150 pounds.[32] Volkanovski won the fight via unanimous decision.[33]

The bout with Kennedy was rescheduled and took place on February 11, 2018 at UFC 221.[34] He won the fight via technical knock out.[35]

Personal life

Alex is born to Macedonian parents.

Volkanovski is married to Emma and he has a daughter named Ariana.[36]

Championships and accomplishments

  • Australian Fighting Championship
  • Cage Conquest
    • Cage Conquest Welterweight Champion
  • Pacific Xtreme Combat
    • PXC Featherweight Champion
  • Roshambo MMA
    • Roshambo MMA Lightweight Champion
    • Roshambo MMA Welterweight Champion
  • Wollongong Wars
    • Wollongong Wars Lightweight Champion

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
18 matches 17 wins 1 loss
By knockout 10 1
By submission 3 0
By decision 4 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 17–1 Jeremy Kennedy TKO (punches and elbows) UFC 221 February 11, 2018 2 4:57 Perth, Australia
Win 16–1 Shane Young Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura 19 November 2017 3 5:00 Sydney, Australia Catchweight (150 lbs) bout.
Win 15–1 Mizuto Hirota Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt 11 June 2017 3 5:00 Auckland, New Zealand Return to Featherweight.
Win 14–1 Yusuke Kasuya TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson 26 November 2016 2 2:06 Melbourne, Australia
Win 13–1 Jai Bradney TKO (punches) Wollongong Wars 4 8 July 2016 1 N/A Wollongong, Australia Return to Lightweight. Won the Wollongong Wars Lightweight Championship.
Win 12–1 Jamie Mullarkey KO (punch) Australian Fighting Championship 15 19 May 2016 1 3:23 Melbourne, Australia Defended the AFC Featherweight Championship.
Win 11–1 Yusuke Yachi Submission (triangle choke) Pacific Xtreme Combat 50 4 December 2015 4 3:43 Mangilao, Guam Won the PXC Featherweight Championship.
Win 10–1 James Bishop TKO (punches) Australian Fighting Championship 13 14 June 2015 1 1:39 Melbourne, Australia Return to Featherweight. Won the AFC Featherweight Championship.
Win 9–1 David Butt TKO (punches) Wollongong Wars 2 1 November 2014 2 1:52 Thirroul, Australia
Win 8–1 Kyle Reyes Decision (unanimous) Pacific Xtreme Combat 45 24 October 2014 3 5:00 Mangilao, Guam Featherweight bout.
Win 7–1 Jai Bradney Submission (rear-naked choke) Roshambo MMA 3 – In the Cage 26 July 2014 1 4:58 Chandler, Australia Defended the Roshambo MMA Lightweight Championship.
Win 6–1 Rodolfo Marques Diniz KO (punch) Australian Fighting Championship 9 17 May 2014 1 3:41 Albury, Australia Featherweight debut.
Win 5–1 Greg Atzori Submission (guillotine choke) Roshambo MMA 2 – In the Cage 1 February 2014 1 N/A Brisbane, Australia Lightweight debut. Won the Roshambo MMA Lightweight Championship.
Win 4–1 Luke Catubig TKO (punches) Australian Fighting Championship 7 14 December 2013 3 4:39 Melbourne, Australia
Loss 3–1 Corey Nelson TKO (head kick and punches) Australian Fighting Championship 5 10 May 2013 3 0:13 Melbourne, Australia AFC Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 3–0 Anton Zafir TKO (punches) Roshambo MMA 1 – In the Cage 17 April 2013 4 2:19 Brisbane, Australia Won the Roshambo MMA Welterweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Regan Wilson TKO (doctor stoppage) Southern Fight Promotions – Cage Conquest 2 23 February 2013 1 2:49 Nowra, Australia Won the Cage Conquest Welterweight Championship.
Win 1–0 Gerhard Voigt Decision (unanimous) Revolution Promotions – Revolution at the Roxy 19 May 2012 3 5:00 Sydney, Australia

See also

References

  1. ^ "Alexander Volkanovski RECORD: 14–1–0 THE GREAT". .fightmetric. .fightmetric.
  2. ^ "Alexander Volkanovski – "THE GREAT"". Sherdog. Sherdog.
  3. ^ Latifi, Agron. "UFC debut just the start for Illawarra 'Hulk' Alex Volkanovski". illawarramercury. illawarramercury. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski – Official UFC Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  5. ^ "ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI 'THE GREAT'". FightMetric. FightMetric.
  6. ^ "ALEXANDER "THE GREAT" VOLKANOVSKI". Topology. Topology.
  7. ^ a b "Champions". Australian Fighting Championship. Australian Fighting Championship.
  8. ^ a b "From Rugby To UFC, Alexander Volkanovski Just Wins - FloCombat". Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  9. ^ a b c "Volkanovski wants statement with 'savage ground and pound'". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  10. ^ Latifi, Agron (15 November 2016). "UFC debut just the start for Illawarra 'Hulk' Alex Volkanovski". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  11. ^ "The HULK: Alex Volkanovski Australian Macedonian MMA champion | AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE". AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  12. ^ Submission Radio (16 June 2017), Alex Volkanovski Reveals the Crazy Circumstances He Endured Ahead of UFC Auckland!, retrieved 16 June 2017
  13. ^ "Alex Volkanovski yet to lose a cage bout". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  14. ^ Latifi, Agron (15 November 2016). "UFC debut just the start for Illawarra 'Hulk' Alex Volkanovski". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  15. ^ "The HULK: Alex Volkanovski Australian Macedonian MMA champion | AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE". AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  16. ^ Primetown, Jay. "UFC Fight Night 101 Newcomer Breakdown: Alex Volkanovski". mmaoddsbreaker.com. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  17. ^ "From the Warilla Gorillas to the UFC, Volkanovski likes his second chapter". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  18. ^ FNA Staff. "Australian Fighting Championships 15 Results". fight news australia. fight news australia.
  19. ^ Chris. "Pacific Xtreme Combat 50 Results". Fight News Australia. Fight News Australia.
  20. ^ Sherdog.com. "Alexander". Sherdog.
  21. ^ Ho, John Hyon. "Alexander Volkanovski Grounds and Pounds Yusuke Kasuya in Melbourne". The Fight Nation. International MMA. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  22. ^ Baldwin, Nick. "UFC Melbourne results: Akhmedov grinds out Noke, Volkanovski wins debut". bloodyelbow. UFC. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  23. ^ "Alex Volkanovski plans drop to featherweight following UFC Fight Night 101 victory". You Tube. USA TODAY Sports. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  24. ^ Cruz, Guilherme. "Alexander Volkanovski vs. Michel Quinones off Sunday's UFC Fight Night card in Halifax 7". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  25. ^ Staff (19 April 2017). "Alex Volkanovski meets Mizuto Hirota at UFC Fight Night 110 in New Zealand". mmajunkie.com.
  26. ^ Ban Fowlkes (10 June 2017). "UFC Fight Night 110 results: Alex Volkanovski cruises to unanimous-decision win vs. Mizuto Hirota". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  27. ^ "Volkanovski earns UFC Fight Night berth". Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  28. ^ Nolan King (5 October 2017). "Jeremy Kennedy suffers back injury; out of UFC Sydney". mma-today.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  29. ^ "Jeremy Kennedy out, Alex Volkanovski meets Humberto Bandenay at UFC-Sydney". MMAjunkie. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  30. ^ "Humberto Bandenay out at UFC-Sydney; featherweight sought for Alex Volkanovski". MMAjunkie. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  31. ^ DNA, MMA. "Shane Young maakt short notice debuut tegen Alexander Volkanovski tijdens UFC Sydney". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  32. ^ "UFC Fight Night 121 official weigh-in results: Headliner set, but four fighters heavy". MMAjunkie. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  33. ^ "UFC Fight Night 121 results: Alex Volkanovski dominates short-notice opponent Shane Young". MMAjunkie. 19 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  34. ^ Nolan King (21 December 2017). "Jeremy Kennedy vs. Alex Volkanovski added to UFC 221 in Perth". mma-today.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  35. ^ "UFC 221 results: Alex Volkanovski destroys Jeremy Kennedy with second-round TKO". MMAjunkie. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018. {{cite news}}: no-break space character in |title= at position 4 (help)
  36. ^ "MMA fighter Alex 'The Hulk' Volkanovski aiming for world title". News. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
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