Alex Volkanovski’s ‘nightmare’ training mishap days out from ‘dangerous’ fight at UFC 290

Just days out from his latest UFC blockbuster, Aussie Alex Volkanovski has had a training mishap he feared would turn into a “nightmare”

Matthew Sullivan

3 min read

July 6, 2023 - 7:52PM

Aussie stars chase glory at UFC 290 in Las Vegas

UFC is gearing up for an Aussie takeover of Las Vegas as Australia’s best fighters descend on Sin City for UFC 290 this weekend.

No less than five Australians are fighting on the card, headlined by Alex Volkanovski, who faces Yair Rodriguez in a featherweight title bout in the main event.

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Speaking to news.com.au from Las Vegas, Volkanovski was sporting a protective plaster under his right eye after he sustained a “scratch” during a grappling session.

“I’ve got antiseptic and cream and that, obviously want it clean. I’ve gone the Nelly look,” Volkanovski said, joking he looked like the American rapper with his patch-up job.

It’s not ideal to have an open wound before the fight’s even started, but Volkanovski said there is nothing to worry about.

“Nah, it’s all good. It’s just a scratch,” he said.

“I didn’t want it to get infected. The last thing I want is a staph infection or an infected cut or something. That’d be a nightmare.”

Volkanovski with a plaster under his eye. Photo: FoxSports.

Volk is back fighting at featherweight. Picture: Simon Bullard

“He’s very dangerous,” Volkanovski said of Rodriguez.

“It’s exciting for me because it’s a challenge. I plan on overcoming that challenge with flying colours and showing my skills.

“He’s very dangerous, very unpredictable. But I can systematically break anyone down.”

Volkanovski is coming back down to featherweight after he felt agonisingly short of defeating Islam Makhachev to win the lightweight belt and attain rare ‘double champ’ status.

The 34-year-old is as determined as ever to get another win under his belt and turn his focus to a rematch with Makhachev, even if that means skipping the chance to fight in front of a home crowd in Sydney at UFC 293 in September.

“Obviously I’m 100 per cent focused on Yair Rodriguez but it doesn’t mean I don’t plan what I want to do afterwards.

“I definitely want that rematch with Islam and you’ve still got other guys hanging around the featherweight division.

“You’ve got IIia (Topuria). That’s one I would like to touch up. But let’s do Yair Rodriguez, we’ll see who I’ll call out after that.”

Volk wants to win the lightweight belt too. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Asked what motivates him to keep getting back into the octagon, Volk replied: “Just winning. Making that money, looking after my family — that’s the honest truth.”

“Being ‘champ champ’ — that’s another goal and another good notch to have. I want to beat Islam because that’s going to be great for my legacy as well.”

Plenty of celebrities will be in the house to watch UFC 290, including Hollywood star Mel Gibson.

“I already met Mel Gibson, that was pretty cool. I know he’s going to be there this weekend. A heap of people are going to be there. Looking forward to putting on a show for them.

“You grow up watching him in Braveheart and all the iconic movies, then to see him in person, it was pretty cool and pretty surreal.

“He’s been at the (Brian) Ortega fight and the last (Max) Holloway fight. He’s a bit of a fan. He loves watching me fight. He’ll be there this weekend.’

Other Aussies appearing on the card are middleweight Rob Whittaker, rising star Jack Della Maddalena, as well as Jimmy Crute and Shannon Ross.