Alexander Volkanovski
Alexander Volkanovski | |
---|---|
Born | Alexander Volkanovski 29 September 1988[1] Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia |
Other names | The Great[2] The Hulk [3] |
Residence | New South Wales, Australia |
Nationality | Australian |
Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)[4] |
Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb) |
Division | Featherweight[4] Lightweight Welterweight |
Reach | 71+1⁄2 in (182 cm)[4] |
Style | Kickboxing, Wrestling |
Fighting out of | Windang, New South Wales, Australia |
Team | Freestyle Fighting Gym [1][6] |
Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Joe Lopez[citation needed] |
Years active | 2012–present |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 21 |
Wins | 20 |
By knockout | 11 |
By submission | 3 |
By decision | 6 |
Losses | 1 |
By knockout | 1 |
Boxing record from BoxRec | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Alexander Volkanovski (Маcedonian : Александар Волкановски) (born 29 September 1988) is an Australian mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He is a former Australian Fighting Championship (AFC) featherweight champion. He is currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[7][4] As of January 2, 2019[update], he is #4 in official UFC featherweight rankings.[8]
Background
Volkanovski was born in Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia of Macedonian and Greek parentage.[9] He started training wrestling at an early age which he won an Australian title when he was 12.[10] He switched his focus to pursue rugby league as the front rower[10] when he was 14[11] where he won Australian Rugby League's Mick Cronin Medal in 2010 as a Group 7 player with the Warilla Gorillas Rugby League and won the Premiership with them in 2011.[12][13]
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[11] and Greco-Roman wrestling to keep fit for rugby league, where he weighed 97 kg (214 lbs).[14] However, he soon realised he had a passion for the sport and wants to go as far as he can.[15] He switched to combat sport in 2012[16] where he fought in the middleweight division as he weighed 210 lbs with his 5' 6" frame prior moving the lightweight and featherweight division.[11]
He appeared as a coach in Malaysia Invasion, an amateur MMA reality show.[17] Volkanovski is a good counter striker with powerful overhand right and a fantastic offensive wrestler.[18]
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"[19]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Starting as 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.[20][21] Volkanovski amassed a record of 13–1 with 10 straight wins prior joining the UFC.[22]
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.[23][24] He announced at the post fight press conference that he would drop from lightweight to featherweight for his next fight.[25][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.[26]
Volkanovski returned to Featherweight and faced Mizuto Hirota on 11 June 2017 at UFC Fight Night 110.[27] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[28]
Volkanovski was expected to face Jeremy Kennedy at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura on 19 November 2017 in Sydney, Australia.[29] However, Kennedy pulled out of the fight on 5 October citing a back injury[30] and was replaced by Humberto Bandenay.[31] In November 2017, it was announced that Bandenay would delay his UFC debut at this event due to undisclosed reason,[32] and was replaced by promotional newcomer Shane Young.[33] The bout proceeded at a catchweight at 150 pounds.[34] Volkanovski won the fight via unanimous decision.[35]
The bout with Kennedy was rescheduled and took place on 11 February 2018 at UFC 221.[36] He won the fight via technical knock out.[37]
Volkanovski faced Darren Elkins on 14 July 2018 at UFC Fight Night 133.[38] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[39]
Volkanovski faced Chad Mendes on 29 December 2018 at UFC 232.[40] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[41] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[42]
Volkanovski faced former featherweight champion José Aldo at UFC 237 on 11 May 2019.[43] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[44]
Personal life
Volkanovski is married to Emma and he has two daughters, Ariana and Airlie.[45]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (one time) vs. Chad Mendes[46]
- Australian Fighting Championship
- Australian Fighting Championship Featherweight Champion (Two times)
- 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
21 matches | 20 wins | 1 loss |
By knockout | 11 | 1 |
By submission | 3 | 0 |
By decision | 6 | 0 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 20–1 | José Aldo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 237 | 11 May 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
Win | 19–1 | Chad Mendes | TKO (punches) | UFC 232 | 29 December 2018 | 2 | 4:14 | Inglewood, California, United States | Fight of the Night. |
Win | 18–1 | Darren Elkins | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov | 14 July 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Boise, Idaho, United States | |
Win | 17–1 | Jeremy Kennedy | TKO (punches and elbows) | UFC 221 | 11 February 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 | 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 | 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 | 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
- ^ "Alexander Volkanovski RECORD: 17–1–0 THE GREAT". .fightmetric. .fightmetric.
- ^ "Alexander Volkanovski – "THE GREAT"". Sherdog. Sherdog.
- ^ Latifi, Agron. "UFC debut just the start for Illawarra 'Hulk' Alex Volkanovski". illawarramercury. illawarramercury. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski – Official UFC Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ "ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI 'THE GREAT'". FightMetric. FightMetric.
- ^ "ALEXANDER "THE GREAT" VOLKANOVSKI". Topology. Topology.
- ^ a b "Champions". Australian Fighting Championship. Australian Fighting Championship.
- ^ "Fighter Rankings | UFC ®". UFC. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
- ^ "From Rugby League to UFC champ: meet Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski".
- ^ a b "From Rugby League To UFC, Alexander Volkanovski Just Wins - FloCombat". Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- ^ a b c "Volkanovski wants statement with 'savage ground and pound'". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- ^ Latifi, Agron (15 November 2016). "UFC debut just the start for Illawarra 'Hulk' Alex Volkanovski". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
- ^ "The HULK: Alex Volkanovski Australian Macedonian MMA champion | AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE". AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
- ^ Submission Radio (16 June 2017), Alex Volkanovski Reveals the Crazy Circumstances He Endured Ahead of UFC Auckland!, retrieved 16 June 2017
- ^ "Alex Volkanovski yet to lose a cage bout".
- ^ Latifi, Agron (15 November 2016). "UFC debut just the start for Illawarra 'Hulk' Alex Volkanovski". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- ^ "The HULK: Alex Volkanovski Australian Macedonian MMA champion | AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE". AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN E-MAGAZINE. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- ^ Primetown, Jay. "UFC Fight Night 101 Newcomer Breakdown: Alex Volkanovski". mmaoddsbreaker.com. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- ^ "From the Warilla Gorillas to the UFC, Volkanovski likes his second chapter". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- ^ FNA Staff. "Australian Fighting Championships 15 Results". fight news australia. fight news australia.
- ^ Chris. "Pacific Xtreme Combat 50 Results". Fight News Australia. Fight News Australia.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Alexander". Sherdog.
- ^ Ho, John Hyon. "Alexander Volkanovski Grounds and Pounds Yusuke Kasuya in Melbourne". The Fight Nation. International MMA. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Nick. "UFC Melbourne results: Akhmedov grinds out Noke, Volkanovski wins debut". bloodyelbow. UFC. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Alex Volkanovski plans drop to featherweight following UFC Fight Night 101 victory". You Tube. USA TODAY Sports. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ Cruz, Guilherme. "Alexander Volkanovski vs. Michel Quinones off Sunday's UFC Fight Night card in Halifax 7". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ Staff (19 April 2017). "Alex Volkanovski meets Mizuto Hirota at UFC Fight Night 110 in New Zealand". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Volkanovski earns UFC Fight Night berth". Retrieved 24 August 2017.
- ^ Nolan King (5 October 2017). "Jeremy Kennedy suffers back injury; out of UFC Sydney". mma-today.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Jeremy Kennedy out, Alex Volkanovski meets Humberto Bandenay at UFC-Sydney". MMAjunkie. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
- ^ "Humberto Bandenay out at UFC-Sydney; featherweight sought for Alex Volkanovski". MMAjunkie. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
- ^ DNA, MMA. "Shane Young maakt short notice debuut tegen Alexander Volkanovski tijdens UFC Sydney". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 121 official weigh-in results: Headliner set, but four fighters heavy". MMAjunkie. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 121 results: Alex Volkanovski dominates short-notice opponent Shane Young". MMAjunkie. 19 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
- ^ Nolan King (21 December 2017). "Jeremy Kennedy vs. Alex Volkanovski added to UFC 221 in Perth". mma-today.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
- ^ "UFC 221 results: Alex Volkanovski destroys Jeremy Kennedy with second-round TKO". MMAjunkie. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ^ Dale Jordan (9 May 2018). "Darren Elkins vs Alexander Volkanovski added to UFC Fight Night 133 in Idaho". mmamad.com. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 133 results: Alex Volkanovski tops typically gritty Darren Elkins". MMAjunkie. 15 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ^ "Chad Mendes vs. Alex Volkanovski joins UFC 232 lineup in Las Vegas". MMAjunkie. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
- ^ "UFC 232 results, highlights: Alexander Volkanovski stops Chad Mendes in all-out battle". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "UFC 232 Bonuses: Nunes, Volkanovski, Mendes, Hall Capture $50K Awards". Sherdog. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ Nichols, Jake (5 March 2019). "Jose Aldo vs. Alexander Volkanovski scheduled for UFC 237". The Body Lock. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- ^ Evanoff, Josh (12 May 2019). "UFC 237 Results: Alexander Volkanovski Dominates Jose Aldo". Cageside Press. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ "MMA fighter Alex 'The Hulk' Volkanovski aiming for world title". News. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "UFC 232 Bonuses: Nunes, Volkanovski, Mendes, Hall Capture $50K Awards". Sherdog. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Alexander". Sherdog. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
External links
- 1988 births
- Living people
- People from Wollongong
- Sportsmen from New South Wales
- Australian male mixed martial artists
- Featherweight mixed martial artists
- Lightweight mixed martial artists
- Welterweight mixed martial artists
- Rugby league players from New South Wales
- Australian male kickboxers
- Australian male sport wrestlers
- Australian people of Greek descent
- Australian people of Macedonian descent
- Australian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu