Alexander Volkanovski has shed additional mild into his frustration and emotional state that made headlines following his knockout loss to Islam Makhachev.
Rather a lot was product of Volkanovski’s post-fight press convention at UFC 294 in October, when he broke down in entrance of the media and received opened up on his defeat and struggles with inactivity. Throughout an interview with FREESTYLEBENDER, Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) revealed he was consuming alcohol day by day previous to getting the decision to rematch Makhachev on simply 12 days’ discover.
The Australian, who stated he’s not a every day drinker, was caught along with his guard down after he was just a few months faraway from defending his UFC featherweight title vs. Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in July, and was recovering from a hand surgical procedure. Not being prepared to completely seize the chance of a rematch with Makhachev, who first beat him in a controversial choice at UFC 284 in February 2023, is one thing that bothers Volkanovski to today.
“It was like somewhat kick up arse for me – I wasn’t disciplined,” Volkanovski stated relating to his second defeat to Makhachev. “I’m recognized for being disciplined all 12 months spherical, 24/7 and I simply wasn’t that point. I used to be actually disillusioned. I used to be extra upset with who I used to be within the earlier months main as much as that. To be sincere, it made it somewhat simpler as a result of it snapped me out of it. It snapped me out of it. I used to be consuming day by day for like three or 4 weeks.
“Actually, that’s exceptional for me. Like (consuming) day by day. I’ve by no means, ever accomplished that. However I used to be like, ‘Ah, I’m not coaching a lot,’ and the surgical procedure and simply making an attempt to assist round the home I used to be like, ‘All proper, I’ll have a few drinks right here, they’ll go down good,’ you realize what I imply? It was happening too good. Every single day I went to cans with the fam and are available again and even then I used to be like, ‘Man, this has to cease.’ I used to be saying that even the day I earlier than I received the decision. I used to be (183 kilos) that day. I went to my power and conditioning coach, and we did some exams and I stood on the size, and I used to be 83 (kilograms). All of the boys within the health club had been laughing. I’ve by no means been that heavy.”
Volkanovski stated the consuming wasn’t out of hand. He wasn’t binge-drinking, however nonetheless doesn’t suppose every day consuming is one thing an expert fighter ought to be doing, particularly if he’s open to accepting quick discover fights.
On the intense aspect, Volkanovski does suppose taking the Makhachev rematch served him some good, as a result of he needed to will get his vices below management.
“I used to be like, ‘Let’s do it, I must snap out of this little rut that I’m in,’” Volkanovski stated. “That is thrilling, this can be a problem, and that is one thing I would like proper now. So I used to be just a bit disillusioned that point. Shedding is at all times going to suck, however you lose to a fighter like Islam, it’s OK. I do know I can beat him. I’ve confirmed that, however he caught me. All credit score to him. I’m not taking something away from him. He arrange that kick and there’s not a lot I can say. I used to be simply disillusioned with the man I used to be main into that.”
Volkanovski, No. 3 within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie pound-for-pound rankings, returns to the octagon on Feb. 17 when he places his featherweight title on the road towards undefeated challenger Ilia Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the primary occasion of UFC 298, which takes place at Honda Heart in Anaheim, Calif. (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 298.
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