‘It will haunt him’: Volkanovski savagely attacked after UFC loss

Aussie champ Alexander Volkanovski was in tears after his defeat at UFC 294 — but it hasn’t stopped him from being told a brutal truth.

Alexander Volkanovski was clearly emotional.

Alexander Volkanovski had no business being in Abu Dhabi.

That’s the opinion of MMA commentators after the Aussie was punished with a first round knockout loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 on Sunday morning.

The featherweight champion was in tears after the fight and has lost no respect for taking the fight on just 11 days’ notice.

But, in the fight game, there are things that are more important than respect — and that is the world title belt wrapped around your waist.

Volkanovski is leaving Abu Dhabi with his status as one of the baddest men on the planet intact — but it’s undeniable he is leaving with a diminished legacy — and he may only have himself to blame.

UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 | SUN 22nd OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

The 35-year-old pleaded with UFC boss Dana White after the defeat to keep him active, despite the terrifying blow to his head when Makhachev landed a stinging high leg kick.

Volkanovski — if he’d have defeated Makhachev — made no secret of the fact he would stay up in the lightweight division.

Alexander Volkanovski was distressed after the loss.

It was a kick of absolute class. Photo: ESPN.

If defeated, it was widely rumoured Volkanovski would defend his featherweight belt against Ilia Topuria in the yet-to-be announced UFC 297 main event card scheduled for January 20 in Toronto.

After such a punishing defeat there are now calls for Volkanovski to be saved from himself.

I certainly appreciate Alexander Volkanovski's undying willingness to fight anyone, anywhere, at any time but it really, really would be for his best interest to take some time off after a head kick KO rather than rushing back to fight Ilia Topuria in 3 months. #UFC294

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) October 21, 2023

That KO throws the planned January Topuria-Volk fight into total jeopardy now.

— Luke Thomas🏋️‍♀️ (@lthomasnews) October 21, 2023

It is that same raw fighting spirit that appears to have cost Volkanovski his best chance of ever holding two belts.

The chance to be the fifth “champ-champ” in the history of the fight promotion, following Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo, was something Volkanovski simply couldn’t say no to.

As noted by former MMA fighter Paul Felder in the ESPN commentary, the brutal loss to Makhachev is “the end” of the rivalry — the end of Volkanovski in the division.

It was the rash decision to take the fight on such short notice that will “haunt” Volkanovski.

Veteran combat sport commentator Kevin Iole wrote for Yahoo, Volkanovski is paying a terrible price for the decision to take the fight, where he had to lose a remarkable 12kg in 11 days to make weight.

Iole wrote there is an argument to make that the result could have been different if Volkanovski had a full training camp.

“In MMA, the fighter is celebrated, rightly, for saving the show,” he wrote.

“And they’re paid handsomely for stepping up. But Volkanovski noted it was not about money; it was about establishing a legacy, and he lost a chance to do that.

“Maybe Makhachev would have won regardless of whether Volkanovski had three months or 11 days, but the fact that Volkanovski won’t know for sure is certain to haunt him for a while.”

Volkanovski was most emotional when speaking about his mental health issues after the fight, but he was also overcome when speaking about the decision to accept the fight.

“I could have made a better decision,” he said.

“He’s not somebody you should be taking a short-notice fight with.”

Iole wrote it is that decision that Volkanovski will be second-guessing all the way back to Australia on the long distance flight home.

Volkanovski looked absolutely devastated after the defeat.

Alexander Volkanovski with a couple of nasty cuts after that fight. The one on the eyebrow pretty clearly came from the head kick delivered by Islam Makhachev #UFC294pic.twitter.com/VSLW9LOJmN

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) October 21, 2023

ISLAM MAKHACHEV JUST KNOCKED OUT ALEX VOLKANOVSKI 😱😱 #UFC294pic.twitter.com/g4bsINLcKM

— UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023

“Obviously it’s hard. I don’t like losing,” he said.

“That hurts me. He’s a great champion. What are you gonna do?

“I back myself every single time and I still stand by that.”

He went on to tell UFC boss Dana White that he will be ready to fight again soon.

“Keep me busy,” he said with a grin.

“I don’t like not fighting. I’m doing my head in when I’m not fighting. I’m happy to go back in January.”

He sent a message to his friends and family back home to assure them he feels “fine” but it’s a long way back to Australia.

Originally published as ‘It will haunt him’: Volkanovski savagely attacked after UFC loss