MIAMI – Though Alexander Volkanovski is combating for UFC gold as soon as once more, he is aware of he’s in a troublesome spot. That’s why the previous champ mentioned he went “above and past” to organize for UFC 314.
On April 12, Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will combat in his tenth consecutive title combat. He faces Diego Lopes within the UFC 314 primary occasion at Kaseya Middle for the vacant featherweight title.
Each UFC title alternative is huge, however Volkanovski enters this one on the heels of back-to-back title combat losses. He’s already thought of to be among the finest featherweights within the promotion’s historical past, however some imagine his finest days are behind him.
“Lots of people are doubting me, however like often, I’ll be a bit spiteful about it if that is smart, however now I’m like going, ‘Yeah, I get why yous assume that, however I’ma present yas,’” Volkanovski advised reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “So, I nonetheless have that one thing to show, however I’m not indignant about it, if that is smart. It’s like yeah, I’m gonna show it to myself and I’m gonna show it to the world.”
Previously, Volkanovski mentioned he would search out issues to inspire him. Getting indignant about what others mentioned was a means of pysching himself up for a combat. Now, the 36-year-old says he’s moved previous that. This time round, he merely targeted on placing within the work, not solely within the gymnasium, however on the desk as nicely.
“That is the leanest I’ve ever been,” Volkanovski mentioned. “I actually wished to get my share physique fats to be sincere, I feel it could undoubtedly be the bottom it’s ever been. It’s 16 weeks of simply arduous camp and actual self-discipline. Didn’t have a drop of alcohol the entire 16 weeks, not even a cheat meal. So, I assume you may say I went above and past.
“The work ethic is at all times there for me, proper? The depth in coaching. Physcially, I’m at all times placing it in. You’re by no means going to high that becasue I’m at all times topping it. I can’t go any tougher than what I do.”
Whereas the bodily grind has by no means been a difficulty Volkanovski mentioned, he admits there was an elevated concentrate on his weight-reduction plan. As an alternative of following weight-reduction plan plans sporadically all through coaching camp, this time he mentioned he locked in the entire means via, and loved displaying off his leaned-out physique by not often placing a shirt on throughout camp.
After a lenghty break by his requirements, Volkanovski will return to motion after 420 days away from the cage. After back-to-back stoppage losses, prolonged day without work was vital.
Now, “The Nice” is keen to show that he not solely nonetheless has the abilities to turn into champion once more by defeating Lopes (27-6 MMA, 6-1 UFC), but in addition to beat historic statistics and different curses that won’t sit in his favor. Fighters coming into title fights on back-to-back losses are 1-5 and have by no means captured an undisputed title. If he will get the job carried out, Volkanovski says it is going to be his biggest achievement but.
“I’ve by no means been on this state of affairs earlier than,” Volkanovski mentioned. “I’ve by no means come off such a giant break. I’ve by no means come off two losses. So, it’s undoubtedly the largest combat of my profession. Everybody’s gonna go, ‘Oh, yeah, you’ve carried out sufficient.’ However I haven’t. I can do much more and it begins this weekend.
“It’s begins on Saturday with this new title reign. Once you speak about legacy, it doesn’t get a lot larger than this. The comeback goes to be actual. That is sh*t folks write books about and films about.”
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