UFC 314: NSW Premier Chris Minns throws support behind Alex Volkanovski ahead of featherweight world title shot

Alexander Volkanovski has received some heavyweight backing ahead of his world title showdown with Diego Lopes in Miami this weekend.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has thrown his support behind Alex Volkanovski, backing the Aussie to win the UFC featherweight world title this weekend, before defending it back home in Sydney.

Volkanovski takes on rising star Diego Lopes at UFC 315 in Miami on Sunday in a bid to win back his world title and kickstart his career after back-to-back losses.

Alexander Volkanovski with Premier Chris Minns in Sydney during February. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Minns is a vocal supporter of the sport, and promised to bring several high-profile UFC events to Sydney during his election campaign in 2023.

The Premier sat cage-side with UFC President Dana White and NRL shot-callers Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo in February when Dricus du Plessis beat Sean Strickland at Qudos Bank Arena.

UFC President Dana White and NSW Premier, Chris Minns at UFC 312, in Sydney during February. Picture: Supplied.

And Minns would love nothing more than seeing Volkanovski fighting in his hometown the next time the UFC is in Sydney.

“I know I speak on behalf of the entire state in saying we’re all cheering on Volk, who’s in the shape of his career and ready to bring it home,” Minns exclusively told Code Sports.

“Volk is a world-class athlete and an incredible role model, particularly for young people, and we couldn’t be prouder that he calls our great state home.

“The UFC events we’ve brought to Sydney have given a huge boost for the New South Wales economy, and they’re wonderful events.

“I’d love to see Volk given the chance to work up to a really big fight right here on home soil in Sydney.

“I’ve got no doubt he’s going to pull it off, and then, back to Sydney to fight for the title again.”

Minns’ $16 million deal to bring three UFC events over four years to Sydney was one of his first big-ticket announcements after taking office in 2023.

That September, UFC 293 injected $15.3 million into the economy, and generated $57.1 million in total economic impact.

When Volkanovski made the switch from being a 97 kilogram rugby league front-rower to a full time MMA fighter, he couldn’t have dreamt of having such heavy-hitting backing.

Volkanovski fights rising star Diego Lopes for the featherweight title this weekend. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“I’ve always tried to do my best to build the sport and try and get it mainstream,” he told Code Sports from Miami this week. “To have someone in (Minns’) position back the UFC and myself and the athletes – and he’s going to cop criticism, but he’s very well spoken, and speaks highly of the athletes and the sport – it means a lot when you’ve got that backing.

“He’s not just saying it because we generate a lot of money and hype – it’s clever financially on their end – but not only that, he backs us as a sport and as human beings.

“And that means even more.”

Sydney has hosted seven UFC cards since 2010, but has never had an Aussie in the main event.

It’s something Volkanovski – who fought in Sydney once, in 2018 – would love to change with a possible title defence the next time the UFC is in the Harbour City.

“I’d love to defend the belt there in Sydney,” he said. “I’ll do my part in getting the belt back this weekend, then I’ll talk to the UFC and we could definitely get it happening sometime soon.

“I want to defend pretty quickly, hopefully they could turn it around pretty quickly, we’ll see what happens.”

Originally published as UFC 314: NSW Premier Chris Minns throws support behind Alex Volkanovski ahead of featherweight world title shot