UFC news: Alex Volkanovski opens up on mental health revelations
Alex Volkanovski has revealed his mixed feelings about opening up on his mental health, but admits he is proud he sparked a conversation about men’s health.
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Alex Volkanovski had ‘mixed emotions’ about opening up on his mental health late last year, but is proud that his decision to speak out has sparked a conversation about men’s health.
The Aussie UFC champion broke down in tears while revealing some of his mental health battles after his first round knockout loss to Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi in October.
It was a shock coming from the easygoing 34-year-old, who had never previously hinted at what he was going through.
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The featherweight kingpin has since received messages from some of the biggest stars in the world, but has added more context around the circumstances of his decision to speak.
“So many people reached out and it touched so many people from all levels,” Volkanovski told this masthead. “I don’t want sympathy, but it’s a good topic and it should be talked about.
“You just saw me at my most vulnerable, but there are people dealing with that all the time – every day.
“Even though I was vulnerable, I’m in a lot better position than a lot of people, and I know that. But, everyone can get uncomfortable and it ain’t weak to speak – it should be talked about in a positive way.”
THE FIGHT
Volkanovski turned into an instant hero when he stepped in on just 12 days’ notice, moved up a weight class and fought lightweight champion – and pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world – Islam Makhachev at UFC 294.
His bold decision came crashing down when Makhachev landed a head kick and Volkanovski was KOd in three minutes.
The father of three is at pains not to take anything away from Makhachev, but says he wasn’t in prime physical condition.
“I had surgery, wasn’t able to train and I had a newborn,” he said. “I’m not young anymore, I’m trying to be the best dad I can be, and trying to get what I can out of training.
“I’m juggling these other things to get ready for after the career, I wasn’t in the gym as much as I’d like, drinking a little more than I’d like.
“When the fight came up, I was heavier than I’d have liked and was underprepared.”
Still, he has no regrets about taking the fight.
“I stand by my decision, that’s one thing I want to get straight,” he said. “I’m the type of guy who dares to be great, and backs myself.
“I’m probably just a little disappointed because I’d usually have been in a better position if I’d been a bit more professional.”
THE FALLOUT
Barely an hour after the knockout, an emotional Volkanovski fronted a press conference and revealed his time away from the gym was “doing my head in”.
He said he’d never had mental health issues before, and was wary of not using it as an excuse for his loss.
He has now revealed more details about that press conference.
“You have mild concussion, which messes with you a bit,” he said. “You get emotional, a bit depressed and start overthinking it.
“You get very anxious, that’s a part of concussion as well.”
His comments immediately went viral online, and Volkanovski admitted he wondered whether it was the right move to open up.
“I had mixed emotions about it originally,” he said. “Did people need to see that? They might be taking it the wrong way, but at the same time, I’m not just going to act like it’s nothing and say I was just concussed.
“I’m going to be real. This is a real thing, it can happen to anyone.
“Now I don’t (have mixed emotions). Now I know I’m going to be all right, I’m aware of it and so many people reached out.
“You’d be surprised at the people who’ve reached out to me – and that includes some of the biggest stars – that are the same. People who are wealthy, doing very well.
“It gets a lot of people.”
VOLK’S MESSAGE
Volkanovski doesn’t want to overstate his mental health battle, and says he’s done plenty of work on acknowledging and understanding what he was going through.
But does have a message for anyone going through similar things.
“If you know you’re spiralling, if you know you’re overthinking – drinking, whatever it is – understand it,” he said. “Why am I doing this?
“I understand my why, and I know how to deal with it.
“But a lot of people don’t. Find that out. Find what makes you tick, what gets you going, what gets you productive, what goals you need to tick to keep your mental health in check.
“It might be training. And you don’t need to be the best in the world, but we need these little things in life that can help.”
THE COMEBACK
Volkanovski defends his featherweight title against unbeaten prospect Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 on February 17 (February 18 in Australia) in Los Angeles.
As important as speaking out was, he says the comeback is crucial to prove to people that he’s OK.
“People are literally saying I’m on the downhill,” he said. “People are saying I’m rushing into (fighting Topuria) and that I’m going to get knocked out.
“I don’t mind being in this position. Questions need to be answered and I love that. It gets me going.
“I’m back in a position where I’ve got a chip on my shoulder, but I thrive there. It gives me that clear goal, and I’m gonna show all these guys.”
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