UFC 245: Alexander Volkanovski opens up on his life as the great Australian fighting underdog
He is arguably the greatest underdog in Australian sport right now, but Aussie UFC contender Alexander Volkanovski keeps winning and rewarding the faith of those who believe in him.
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Before every fight of his UFC career, Alex Volkanovski has received a Twitter message from the same Aussie fight fan.
“Betting on you again,” the supporter writes.
Then for proof, attaches slips showing wagers of up to $20,000.
“And each time I saw one of those,” Volkanovski laughs, “I’d write back to the guy saying ‘geez, you’re putting some pressure on me’.
“But then recently, this same guy writes again saying, ‘mate, I’ve now bought myself a house winning on you’.
“I couldn’t believe it. I thought ‘wow, that’s pretty special’.
“I guess, while there’s never been a lot of people believe in me, those that do … yeah, they win money.”
Seated now with The Daily Telegraph inside Las Vegas’s famed Neon Museum — a collection of old casino signs which, dating back to the 1930s, provide the perfect photo backdrop — Volkanovski is talking up his role as arguably the greatest underdog anywhere in Australian sport right now.
Damn right!! https://t.co/FZxlXzWBGQ
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) December 12, 2019
Not so long ago, this 31-year-old Shellharbour product was broke and living with his young family in the spare room of his mum’s place.
More than once, told to quit the fight game for something, anything, more stable.
But not anymore.
No this weekend at UFC 245 here in Las Vegas, Volkanovski is challenging Hawaiian featherweight champ Max Holloway on what will likely be the most watched card of 2019.
Currently, the Aussie slugger is on an undefeated run stretching all seven UFC fights — including his two most recent wins over American favourite Chad Mendes and legendary Brazilian Jose Aldo.
“And both times, people were certain I was going to lose,” Volkanovski says. “But look what happened.
“That’s just how things have always gone for me.
“People keep doubting me and I keep proving them wrong.”
According to Las Vegas bookmakers, the former Wollongong concreter – and son of a Wollongong concreter — is once again an outsider for the title showdown, at +145.
Holloway, meanwhile, is -175 and has already received most picks among US journalists comprising press row.
All of which is nothing new for the former Warilla Gorillas prop who initially took up MMA to get fitter for footy.
A fighter who would eventually spend so many years trying to crack the UFC roster, even close family friends started quizzing wife Emma on when he was quitting to get a real job.
“And after a while,” the fighter says, “those same chats were had with me too”.
Thankfully though, Volkanovski kept fighting — and winning.
Which is why back home in Australia this week, the TAB has already taken a number of solid bets on the Shellharbour native — including a wager of $10,000 at $2.45.
“Which is nice to know, that I’m making Aussies some money,” Volkanovski grins. “And now this weekend, it’s my turn.
“After opening some eyes against Max Holloway, after winning that UFC belt, I’m going to start earning my family some big money too.”
Originally published as UFC 245: Alexander Volkanovski opens up on his life as the great Australian fighting underdog
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