April 9, 2025 • 19 mins
Alexander Volkanovski IS BACK with Daniel Cormier for another new edition of the DC Check-In, this time from UFC 314 PPV week in Miami, Florida. Volk talks about getting knocked out by Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev, and why he's ready to beat young UFC superstar Diego Lopes and take the championship belt back. Volkanovski also dives into Ilia vacating his belt to move to 155, and breaks down a fight he says WILL HAPPEN between Topuria and Makhachev. And don't miss him and DC talk about an upcoming episode of Cooking with Volk in the near future! #Volume #Herd
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
The volume. You are one of the greatest champions of
all time, and sadly you act like it because I
messaged you. I have messaged you so many times asking
(00:23):
to cook because I went to I went to Australia.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
What are you messaging me on I messaged you?
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Well, first off, I messaged your number. I message your
number from the UFC thing that we were all on
a group message and you did the way and show
no response.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
First off, I got green bubbles first time.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
First off, I got green bubbles, so you must have
me blocked. He musn't block me immediately once he realized
I had his number, and then I messaged him on Instagram.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
No you don't need to you don't I I have.
But it's like we're supposed to cook and.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
We were because I remember I would trynte up to die,
so I did, like we're going to try.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
It didn't happen, but I didn't get messages.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
I constantly message you. Man. It's like I want to
be able to say, like I cooked with Alexander Volk,
I guess it will happen if it didn't happen in Australia.
Broom starting to lose faith very quick I'm like, it's
like it's like literally believing in Santa Claus and then
your mom and dad never getting you ship.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
It's like what you do to me, I'm not I'm
telling you all right, cooking at the house and effy
than anyone.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
I'm holding them to this.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
That's what That's what trouble going.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Alexander Faith Alexander Great Volkanowski checking in with me again
as always on fight week.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
How does it feel man? Back here? Just honestly, it
has to be.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
It's it's a comfortable position, right, So few get to
live in this place that you have lived in so
long that I was fortunate enough to live in where
every fight is a title fight, every fight matters. How
good they feel to be back in this environment, because
it really does wake you up, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
I Mean it's the biggest break I've had, right, But
for some reason, it just doesn't feel like I that long.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
I don't know what it is.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Maybe because I've done, you know, some of the fought weeks.
You know, there's a guess. I don't know what it is.
It just doesn't feel like it was that long ago.
So it's like it's cool, I feels great.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
I feel good. I'm lucky.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Way, they're just ready like every other every other time.
So it's it's weird. So maybe it is because there's
so many title fights and I've been in this position
so many times that I'm just comfortable.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
With them in this time of way, did you take
note of the career at or? I know you're taking
time to spend with the family, you're working on your
skills and your your your abilities, but did you ever
take note and go, Man, I know I was good,
but this shit has been better than I could have
even imagined. I mean, you're fighting in your tenth straight
(02:55):
title fighting, like not many people get to.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Do that here, You're right honest. Through the break, I
didn't really think of any of that too much. I
was able to just sort of, I guess, just focus
what's in front of me, you know, the family, friends
and myself and then but thinking ahead, right, I'm just
I guess I was just looking at what I can still.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Add to that. Yeah, that's sort of what I've more
focused on. Like it's weird, like I.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I will appreciate it, like I know I will, especially
from that time that that break off, Like like I
was able to grow so much and really appreciate everything.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
But I just haven't been able to focus on that
because I think I still know there's more, there's more
to add then I know.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
I think I'm going to be able to just enjoy
the whole thing overall, But right now it's all about
the comeback. So I guess that that's sort of just
where my head's more at myself, family, come back, then
I guess I'll be able to really appreciate everything else.
I appreciate what it's given me, Like that's what I'm appreciating,
like you know, the farm in a position I am
like very blessed, very very happy where we are. But
(04:01):
I guess I haven't really looked back at the legacy
or so much.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
When you do, it's it's a great legacy, dude, Like
when you look back, you're gonna be like, holy shit,
it's been amazing to watch.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Honestly.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
So you pulled the curtain back for us a while back,
And when you pulled the curtain back talking about I
need to be doing this, it made everybody start talking
about all these things about how a great champion could
truly open up himself. Let you guys, decide to know that, man,
this is me and without this at times I struggle
(04:37):
over the course of this last year, how have you
dealt with that?
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Right when you couldn't?
Speaker 1 (04:41):
It was hard for me to deal with that for
a few months. How have you dealt with that over
the course of all this time that you've been away?
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Exactly?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
So it's gonna be pretty confusing, right because it was like,
wells he how has he done this big break? Or
how is he gonna do it? When I said I
was gonna have a bit of a break, like you
struggle with this?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
What do you mean?
Speaker 3 (04:59):
But it was back then I was I was fully
committed to my training schedule, to fighting. Out of responsibility
as a champion, you know what I mean, I had
to go so when I would wait for fights, I
just I couldn't be myself, you know what I mean.
I was very hard what am I doing in the
gym because I was still spending like I'm not at home,
(05:19):
I'm still fully committed to training. And then when I
felt like there was no purpose, no goal or a
title fight or something, I was just going through the emotions.
I spend more hours in the gym out of camp
than to do in the camp. So that's what people
don't realize. I'm doing evening from three to four sessions
a day out of camp. In camp, you know, we
cut that down and maybe two or three so the intensity.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Goes up, right, so you spend a more hour.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
So you can imagine if you're fully committed to that
and your training schedule, you live in life around the
training schedule.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
It's very busy. It doesn't leave.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Much time for anything, and then you're all that time
and commitment in the training is like, you know what
am I doing here?
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Like? What do you know? What I mean?
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Like a fair enough when you're trying to build yourself,
but it gets to a point where I'm like I
need and purpose.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
It's hard for me to you know, you.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Want that drive to be better, but it gets to
a point where it's like, you know, do I want
to be spending so many months.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Just working myself?
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Get me a fight and let me have a real
bad like you know, it was hard to explained, so
that was tough and I didn't understand it.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
I didn't get it. I didn't get any of that.
So I just found it very hard.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
But when I was able to, you know, after the losses,
and I made accepted the fact that I'm going to
have a break.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
So it's a decision I made and accepted it. And
I was able to just.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Separate and leave fighting behind for a minute and just
working myself and then live life around the training schedule,
which I haven't done for thirteen fourteen years. And I
was able to grow so much, and I loved it absolutely.
You know a lot of people, you know, if I
was explaining and they didn't hear what I just sort
of said before this, said are you struggle or not fighting?
Speaker 2 (06:49):
You know?
Speaker 3 (06:50):
But it was great. I started getting to a point like,
am I going to want to get back to training?
Then I'd have to have them little battles, And now
I relaxed. Men, just enjoy it. When the time comes,
you fick a switch and you'll be ready. So that's
sort of way we're at. But it was it was
great mine. I grew so much during that time.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
It was unreal. I loved it.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
And so and you started doing more TV stuffy with us.
You remember you busted your ass on the You broke
your ass? How the hell did you break your ass?
Break dancing on the way in show?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
But I think it was a hip heap and started
clicking and.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
You got way too crazy. We're like, ah, this is
not good. It was.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
It got scary because we like want to mess around
on the show, but we don't want to hurt the
fucking Alex.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Then the Volganowski when he comes on.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
The show, you get back healthy, You're still committed to
this time away. Abu Dabi iliot to Pouria knocks out
Max Holloway, which was very surprising to me. I don't
know if it was surprising to you watching it, But
then you come inside the octagon and it seems like
all systems go. It's you and Italy again, very respectful. Uh,
(08:00):
what was the process after that day? Because sure he'll
need time, right, he'll need time to recover, get ready
to go. Well, what's the process for you when you
leave Abu Dhabi after watching that?
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Well, then I'm going to clear next fight. It might
not be anytime soon, but let's start flipping that switch. Yeah,
so I'm flipping that switch and I'm ready. So then
I'm I'm I'm going through through the motions purpose you know,
we're training for for Ilia.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Then it got to a point where a lot of
people are gonna.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
You're probably gonna ask me. It's like, you know, how
was it going from Ili and then finding Alis. Diego
obviously want that win back through that process of me
being like, all right, I'm chilling out the bit to
get back in there now. And that was dragging on
because I didn't know when he's fighting, he's talking about
moving out.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
So got to a frustrating for you. Well, it was
just like I want to fight.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
It got to a point where I'm like, all right,
like you know, I'm not going to rush him into anything.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Maybe I just do an interim. Yeah, you know what
I mean.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
I'll just do an interim and fight him later because
I don't want to wait around that because now I'm
back in that mindset of let's go, you know, to go.
So it got to a point where I was like,
it's just dragging on now. I didn't really care who
it is. I just want to fight. And then he
heard him talk about moving up and then I got told, uh, Diego,
I didn't know it was for the vacant belt. I
(09:12):
didn't know he was Illiot was committing.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
To the lightweight.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
But at that stage, I'm like, all right, sweet, whatever like, yeah,
so I'm okay with that. And then I found out
through day to White's alive that it was for the
Vacant Belt and that he's committing to moving up, which
caught me by surprise.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
It's actually kind of crazy that you found that up
too there.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
I mean, maybe they didn't know till and they told
me it was Diego. They probably still didn't know exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
What Ilia was going there is. It was a couple
of weeks.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
There went till I found out, but actually did the
live feed. But yeah, it was Yeah, that was a
little bit surprising to me. But at that point, get
me in there.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Were you surprised? The best thing, right, sorry, tokay, I
was the next best thing. I wanted early.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
I wanted that win back, and I wanted to still
prove myself not only to get that wind back and
against Ilia, but.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
To the younger generation, right, yes, so the new school.
I wanted to prove that to them.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
I still get that, you know in Lopez, you know
he's a young guy coming through. Uh So I still
in for the Viking Belt. So it's the next best thing.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
That's what I was gonna say to you. You're a
guy that's been at the top of the game for
a long time. Look, man, sometimes these go sideways. And honestly,
you fought two of the top three pound fun guys
in the world and lost fights. Is it hard to
hear guys like Chill and I The other day we're
talking and it's like, is this Alexander Volkanowski's last chance?
Like it almost feels as though you almost get pushed
(10:33):
into a do or die right when it doesn't feel
like in your mind this is do or die.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Yeah, well they to me it doesn't. But and I've
always wanted to be the underdog. I love being the underdog, right,
And I've always found wise to even if I was
favorite looking wise of being underdog and still trying to
you know, be a little bit you know, chipping your shoulders.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
I've at least got saying this because I wanted to
use that as fuel. Right with this one, I don't
need to Everyone has every riot to think that I'm done.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Like they're gonna think that I'm coming off two losses,
big break, thirty six years old and he's done, and
that's it. I'm like, I'm fine with everyone thinking that
because I get to prove my point. This weekend, I
get to prove it to myself and I get to
prove it to the world. I still know I'm that guy,
right and I'm gonna prove it this weekend.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
But it's weird.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
I don't have a chip on my shoulder now because
I expect people to think that and if they're not
all right, fair enough. But you know, and there are
people that don't think that, but there are gonna.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Be a lot of people that do. And I'm okay
with that.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Talk to me about Diego Lopez though two years fights
a lawyer short notice, fights competitive, but gets beat goes
on this wind streak, now, I mean for one five
and sixty five all on one weekend against Dannygate. But
the fight was competitive, call it what it is. Then
he beats on Brian Ortega and he beat Brian on
(11:54):
Taga pretty good. What do you make of Diego Lopez?
And when you watch him as a smart guy that's
seen it all, it's been in there with the best.
What does he stack up to some of the guys
that you've been in the outgown with?
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Yeah? Just dangerous right like?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
And I always talk about this and I've brung it
up a few times that, you know, I find it.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Hard for people to.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Like, you know, beat me twenty five minutes, right, Like
someone going to go there and out strategize me for
twenty minutes.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
I think that's going to be getting better as it
goes more.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Yeah, and just I think everyone's the best bet he's
catching me, right, And I don't.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Mean that that's only a lucky shot.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
Like obviously people can set it up and you know,
do things like that. But I feel like that's the
only way I see myself losing. But then you get
dangerous guys like your your Lopez Yrodriguez was another one
that I talked about, and I was talking about he's
the most dangerous guy because so unpredictable and I need
to be careful. And it's going to be the same
(12:49):
with Diego in a sense where he's a lot more
aggressive like and he's not as maybe calculated, because he
will just throw it all out there. But sometimes that
can be even more dangerous because of because of that,
if that will the thing is obviously it leaves a
lot of opportunities to capitalize. But as I was just
(13:11):
saying that, if he wants to change his game and
want to outstrategize me, it's gonna end even worse for him.
I think his best bet is to be reckless, Yeah,
you know, is to go out there and you know,
just fire and just try and find the shot.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Can I capitalize on that and hurt him? Yeah, one
hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
But I think that's his best bet, and that's why
it's that's what's gonna happen. He's going to come to
me like that one hundred percent. If he doesn't, that's
even worse for him. So I'm expecting him to come down.
If not, that'll be even easier. And he's you know,
he's the same on the sort of ground where he's
probably more calculated on the ground than he is on
the feet, but very dangerous and very aggressive as well
(13:49):
with his submissions.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Absolutely and.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
Young, but not only young in the USC, having only
two years of experience.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Think about dismal.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
You are in your tenth title fight, main event, he's
had none. How big of a factor will the experience
become Saturday Night?
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Yeah, well that's a massive thing. But I don't think
that plays.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
I think that's going to help me more to be
more composed, And you know, everyone knows I'm pretty composed,
like stick to a game plan and you know, strategy
and stuff like that. So that experience is going to
help me through this process. But for him, he needs
to be reckless.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Yeah, but what happens if he is reckless and it
doesn't work and you're still there in wround three and
four in five where he's never been.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
But I mean, if this wasn't a title fight as well,
I think he's struggling there anyway, you know what I mean,
because of his style.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
So I don't think.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
It plays too much on his end. On my end,
I think I can benefit from the experience. For him,
I don't think it plays too much of a fact
that does that make sense?
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Yeah, because for him, because he has to fight in
one style.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
He fights like you think if someone lost their composure
in a title fight, that's what it's gonna look like.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
But that's how he fights, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
And that's what it's exciting because he he will risk
it all, you know, to leand that shot. He's gonna
very risky top fight, especially on the feet, and I'm
expecting that to come on Saturday night.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
So I need to be where I need to be composed.
I need to be experienced.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Yeah, and that's what you're gonna say.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
You become the champ again, What does that mean to you?
Because there's have to be days where you go God,
dang man, I'm as far away from this belt as
I've ever been, even when I started. Right now, I'm
want to know on the UFC too, I've never been
this far away from this championship. You become a champ Saturday, Like,
what does that mean to Alexander Volkanowski.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Means right now?
Speaker 3 (15:42):
I think it's the biggest part of my story because
I'm a you know, but I don't feel like it's
said that far. I feel like it is just around
the corner and it's just.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
On Saturday night now it is, yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.
So I feel like.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
It's weird, Like there's a confidence in me that like
I'm already like this the next title ragin, you know,
I'm thinking of this next title raign like it means
so much. This is how this is the this is
my story right here, this is my legacy. I feel
like this is a big part of my legacy, this
next chunk. Even though you know I've done great things,
as you talked about, you know, I'm going to appreciate
(16:16):
all that, but this is just gonna be what separates
you from from so many, you know. So that's this
next title ragin, especially at the age and people want
to throw over thirty five cursing, I'm thirty six years old.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Two knockouts, you can name nobody's one.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Yeah, yeah, I mean even no one's come back from
no One's wanna undispute a title. I just heard this
coming off two losses or two knockouts and stuff like that.
So there's a whole heap of reasons why this win.
This comeback is going to be massive.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
I know one dude that won one off of a loss,
me because they just gave me that biz back.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
I can't beat the interests to him. Man, he's still
the chair, I don't know. And then I won.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
The next way it can happen, bro, it really can
really quick. Before I let you go, Uh one, were
you surprised that Theory was able to get Holloway out
of there?
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (17:06):
I was surprised because of Holloway Shin, but I knew
if there's someone that does catch it, and I could,
you know, really tested it is someone like Ilia. I
knew would be sort of how it was where you know,
Max was still making a half for him, but I
thought Ilia did better as well.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
I was good, I was.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
I just thought it would have went that a little
bit longer and that's where you would have seen Max
really start to, you know, do his thing. But Ilia
has that power and that's you know, with like Islam,
you know he's going to move up.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
People want to count him out.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
I'm like, I'm telling you, like, he's just as dangerous
as anybody you know because of you know, he's going
to look for that chin and.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
He's gonna if he touches it, he can get knocked
out before. Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
I mean and Ilia, if anyone can test that chin again,
it's a it's illy as well.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
So you're gonna I think that far will happen. That's
what I'm gonna say.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
Do you think he gets a title fighting?
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Like, do you think he actually beats Mager?
Speaker 3 (17:57):
The fact that he vacated because you fought him ball, Yeah,
well that's that's it, right, Like people are gonna ask
you for about what do you think?
Speaker 2 (18:04):
I mean, it's pretty simple.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
If anyone anyone looking at it, Iliah is that dangerous
The only way I see even Islam losing is someone
catching him the same move with myself. Yeah so, but
who's got the best chance of doing that?
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Someone like Ilia?
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Yeah so, it's definitely a fun fighter. I think, Look,
if it goes twenty five minutes, it's all Islam. But
there's a good chance that Ilia can catch him because
he's you know, he's obviously got that very tidy boxing
them earlier rounds. You and I think his takedown defense
might help help him a beard and you know, but
them later rounds, you know what, I thought you he
(18:39):
would struggle with Max, but he was able to put
him out before then would be the same case with Islam.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
I always like to pick his brain about those things
because this guy is one of the best analysts in
the game outside of one of the best fighters in
the game.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Thank you for checking it with me again.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
You know what's always funny, guys, I get these guys
on these check ins, and then you get the champions
and he's got a more expensive cologne and he's got
an ap watch.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
These dudes are rich, These dudes, let me say some.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Yes, yeah, he's got a U Blo watch, a beautiful
you blow. I got a I got a golf one,
but the champions got more expensive cologne and they've.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Got nicer watches.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
This dude right here is just way too rich.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Guys, go tap.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Into Alexander Volkanowski, sign up for his YouTube channel, like.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
And subscribe there.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
Also tell you friends that like and subscribe here because
I'm checking in the Guys like Alexander Volkanowski who challenges
are actually fights for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship this
weekend at UFC three or fourteen. Go to ESPN Plus,
hit that pay per view by button and watch my
man try to become a Championgain vote. Thanks again, my brother,
Until next time, guys, Peace,
The volume. You are one of the greatest champions of
all time, and sadly you act like it because I
messaged you. I have messaged you so many times asking
(00:23):
to cook because I went to I went to Australia.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
What are you messaging me on I messaged you?
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Well, first off, I messaged your number. I message your
number from the UFC thing that we were all on
a group message and you did the way and show
no response.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
First off, I got green bubbles first time.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
First off, I got green bubbles, so you must have
me blocked. He musn't block me immediately once he realized
I had his number, and then I messaged him on Instagram.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
No you don't need to you don't I I have.
But it's like we're supposed to cook and.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
We were because I remember I would trynte up to die,
so I did, like we're going to try.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
It didn't happen, but I didn't get messages.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
I constantly message you. Man. It's like I want to
be able to say, like I cooked with Alexander Volk,
I guess it will happen if it didn't happen in Australia.
Broom starting to lose faith very quick I'm like, it's
like it's like literally believing in Santa Claus and then
your mom and dad never getting you ship.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
It's like what you do to me, I'm not I'm
telling you all right, cooking at the house and effy
than anyone.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
I'm holding them to this.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
That's what That's what trouble going.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Alexander Faith Alexander Great Volkanowski checking in with me again
as always on fight week.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
How does it feel man? Back here? Just honestly, it
has to be.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
It's it's a comfortable position, right, So few get to
live in this place that you have lived in so
long that I was fortunate enough to live in where
every fight is a title fight, every fight matters. How
good they feel to be back in this environment, because
it really does wake you up, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
I Mean it's the biggest break I've had, right, But
for some reason, it just doesn't feel like I that long.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
I don't know what it is.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Maybe because I've done, you know, some of the fought weeks.
You know, there's a guess. I don't know what it is.
It just doesn't feel like it was that long ago.
So it's like it's cool, I feels great.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
I feel good. I'm lucky.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Way, they're just ready like every other every other time.
So it's it's weird. So maybe it is because there's
so many title fights and I've been in this position
so many times that I'm just comfortable.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
With them in this time of way, did you take
note of the career at or? I know you're taking
time to spend with the family, you're working on your
skills and your your your abilities, but did you ever
take note and go, Man, I know I was good,
but this shit has been better than I could have
even imagined. I mean, you're fighting in your tenth straight
(02:55):
title fighting, like not many people get to.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Do that here, You're right honest. Through the break, I
didn't really think of any of that too much. I
was able to just sort of, I guess, just focus
what's in front of me, you know, the family, friends
and myself and then but thinking ahead, right, I'm just
I guess I was just looking at what I can still.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Add to that. Yeah, that's sort of what I've more
focused on. Like it's weird, like I.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I will appreciate it, like I know I will, especially
from that time that that break off, Like like I
was able to grow so much and really appreciate everything.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
But I just haven't been able to focus on that
because I think I still know there's more, there's more
to add then I know.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
I think I'm going to be able to just enjoy
the whole thing overall, But right now it's all about
the comeback. So I guess that that's sort of just
where my head's more at myself, family, come back, then
I guess I'll be able to really appreciate everything else.
I appreciate what it's given me, Like that's what I'm appreciating,
like you know, the farm in a position I am
like very blessed, very very happy where we are. But
(04:01):
I guess I haven't really looked back at the legacy
or so much.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
When you do, it's it's a great legacy, dude, Like
when you look back, you're gonna be like, holy shit,
it's been amazing to watch.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Honestly.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
So you pulled the curtain back for us a while back,
And when you pulled the curtain back talking about I
need to be doing this, it made everybody start talking
about all these things about how a great champion could
truly open up himself. Let you guys, decide to know that, man,
this is me and without this at times I struggle
(04:37):
over the course of this last year, how have you
dealt with that?
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Right when you couldn't?
Speaker 1 (04:41):
It was hard for me to deal with that for
a few months. How have you dealt with that over
the course of all this time that you've been away?
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Exactly?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
So it's gonna be pretty confusing, right because it was like,
wells he how has he done this big break? Or
how is he gonna do it? When I said I
was gonna have a bit of a break, like you
struggle with this?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
What do you mean?
Speaker 3 (04:59):
But it was back then I was I was fully
committed to my training schedule, to fighting. Out of responsibility
as a champion, you know what I mean, I had
to go so when I would wait for fights, I
just I couldn't be myself, you know what I mean.
I was very hard what am I doing in the
gym because I was still spending like I'm not at home,
(05:19):
I'm still fully committed to training. And then when I
felt like there was no purpose, no goal or a
title fight or something, I was just going through the emotions.
I spend more hours in the gym out of camp
than to do in the camp. So that's what people
don't realize. I'm doing evening from three to four sessions
a day out of camp. In camp, you know, we
cut that down and maybe two or three so the intensity.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Goes up, right, so you spend a more hour.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
So you can imagine if you're fully committed to that
and your training schedule, you live in life around the
training schedule.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
It's very busy. It doesn't leave.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Much time for anything, and then you're all that time
and commitment in the training is like, you know what
am I doing here?
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Like? What do you know? What I mean?
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Like a fair enough when you're trying to build yourself,
but it gets to a point where I'm like I
need and purpose.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
It's hard for me to you know, you.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Want that drive to be better, but it gets to
a point where it's like, you know, do I want
to be spending so many months.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Just working myself?
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Get me a fight and let me have a real
bad like you know, it was hard to explained, so
that was tough and I didn't understand it.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
I didn't get it. I didn't get any of that.
So I just found it very hard.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
But when I was able to, you know, after the losses,
and I made accepted the fact that I'm going to
have a break.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
So it's a decision I made and accepted it. And
I was able to just.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Separate and leave fighting behind for a minute and just
working myself and then live life around the training schedule,
which I haven't done for thirteen fourteen years. And I
was able to grow so much, and I loved it absolutely.
You know a lot of people, you know, if I
was explaining and they didn't hear what I just sort
of said before this, said are you struggle or not fighting?
Speaker 2 (06:49):
You know?
Speaker 3 (06:50):
But it was great. I started getting to a point like,
am I going to want to get back to training?
Then I'd have to have them little battles, And now
I relaxed. Men, just enjoy it. When the time comes,
you fick a switch and you'll be ready. So that's
sort of way we're at. But it was it was
great mine. I grew so much during that time.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
It was unreal. I loved it.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
And so and you started doing more TV stuffy with us.
You remember you busted your ass on the You broke
your ass? How the hell did you break your ass?
Break dancing on the way in show?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
But I think it was a hip heap and started
clicking and.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
You got way too crazy. We're like, ah, this is
not good. It was.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
It got scary because we like want to mess around
on the show, but we don't want to hurt the
fucking Alex.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Then the Volganowski when he comes on.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
The show, you get back healthy, You're still committed to
this time away. Abu Dabi iliot to Pouria knocks out
Max Holloway, which was very surprising to me. I don't
know if it was surprising to you watching it, But
then you come inside the octagon and it seems like
all systems go. It's you and Italy again, very respectful. Uh,
(08:00):
what was the process after that day? Because sure he'll
need time, right, he'll need time to recover, get ready
to go. Well, what's the process for you when you
leave Abu Dhabi after watching that?
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Well, then I'm going to clear next fight. It might
not be anytime soon, but let's start flipping that switch. Yeah,
so I'm flipping that switch and I'm ready. So then
I'm I'm I'm going through through the motions purpose you know,
we're training for for Ilia.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Then it got to a point where a lot of
people are gonna.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
You're probably gonna ask me. It's like, you know, how
was it going from Ili and then finding Alis. Diego
obviously want that win back through that process of me
being like, all right, I'm chilling out the bit to
get back in there now. And that was dragging on
because I didn't know when he's fighting, he's talking about
moving out.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
So got to a frustrating for you. Well, it was
just like I want to fight.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
It got to a point where I'm like, all right,
like you know, I'm not going to rush him into anything.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Maybe I just do an interim. Yeah, you know what
I mean.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
I'll just do an interim and fight him later because
I don't want to wait around that because now I'm
back in that mindset of let's go, you know, to go.
So it got to a point where I was like,
it's just dragging on now. I didn't really care who
it is. I just want to fight. And then he
heard him talk about moving up and then I got told, uh, Diego,
I didn't know it was for the vacant belt. I
(09:12):
didn't know he was Illiot was committing.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
To the lightweight.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
But at that stage, I'm like, all right, sweet, whatever like, yeah,
so I'm okay with that. And then I found out
through day to White's alive that it was for the
Vacant Belt and that he's committing to moving up, which
caught me by surprise.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
It's actually kind of crazy that you found that up
too there.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
I mean, maybe they didn't know till and they told
me it was Diego. They probably still didn't know exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
What Ilia was going there is. It was a couple
of weeks.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
There went till I found out, but actually did the
live feed. But yeah, it was Yeah, that was a
little bit surprising to me. But at that point, get
me in there.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Were you surprised? The best thing, right, sorry, tokay, I
was the next best thing. I wanted early.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
I wanted that win back, and I wanted to still
prove myself not only to get that wind back and
against Ilia, but.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
To the younger generation, right, yes, so the new school.
I wanted to prove that to them.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
I still get that, you know in Lopez, you know
he's a young guy coming through. Uh So I still
in for the Viking Belt. So it's the next best thing.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
That's what I was gonna say to you. You're a
guy that's been at the top of the game for
a long time. Look, man, sometimes these go sideways. And honestly,
you fought two of the top three pound fun guys
in the world and lost fights. Is it hard to
hear guys like Chill and I The other day we're
talking and it's like, is this Alexander Volkanowski's last chance?
Like it almost feels as though you almost get pushed
(10:33):
into a do or die right when it doesn't feel
like in your mind this is do or die.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Yeah, well they to me it doesn't. But and I've
always wanted to be the underdog. I love being the underdog, right,
And I've always found wise to even if I was
favorite looking wise of being underdog and still trying to
you know, be a little bit you know, chipping your shoulders.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
I've at least got saying this because I wanted to
use that as fuel. Right with this one, I don't
need to Everyone has every riot to think that I'm done.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Like they're gonna think that I'm coming off two losses,
big break, thirty six years old and he's done, and
that's it. I'm like, I'm fine with everyone thinking that
because I get to prove my point. This weekend, I
get to prove it to myself and I get to
prove it to the world. I still know I'm that guy,
right and I'm gonna prove it this weekend.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
But it's weird.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
I don't have a chip on my shoulder now because
I expect people to think that and if they're not
all right, fair enough. But you know, and there are
people that don't think that, but there are gonna.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Be a lot of people that do. And I'm okay
with that.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Talk to me about Diego Lopez though two years fights
a lawyer short notice, fights competitive, but gets beat goes
on this wind streak, now, I mean for one five
and sixty five all on one weekend against Dannygate. But
the fight was competitive, call it what it is. Then
he beats on Brian Ortega and he beat Brian on
(11:54):
Taga pretty good. What do you make of Diego Lopez?
And when you watch him as a smart guy that's
seen it all, it's been in there with the best.
What does he stack up to some of the guys
that you've been in the outgown with?
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Yeah? Just dangerous right like?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
And I always talk about this and I've brung it
up a few times that, you know, I find it.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Hard for people to.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Like, you know, beat me twenty five minutes, right, Like
someone going to go there and out strategize me for
twenty minutes.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
I think that's going to be getting better as it
goes more.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Yeah, and just I think everyone's the best bet he's
catching me, right, And I don't.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Mean that that's only a lucky shot.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
Like obviously people can set it up and you know,
do things like that. But I feel like that's the
only way I see myself losing. But then you get
dangerous guys like your your Lopez Yrodriguez was another one
that I talked about, and I was talking about he's
the most dangerous guy because so unpredictable and I need
to be careful. And it's going to be the same
(12:49):
with Diego in a sense where he's a lot more
aggressive like and he's not as maybe calculated, because he
will just throw it all out there. But sometimes that
can be even more dangerous because of because of that,
if that will the thing is obviously it leaves a
lot of opportunities to capitalize. But as I was just
(13:11):
saying that, if he wants to change his game and
want to outstrategize me, it's gonna end even worse for him.
I think his best bet is to be reckless, Yeah,
you know, is to go out there and you know,
just fire and just try and find the shot.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Can I capitalize on that and hurt him? Yeah, one
hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
But I think that's his best bet, and that's why
it's that's what's gonna happen. He's going to come to
me like that one hundred percent. If he doesn't, that's
even worse for him. So I'm expecting him to come down.
If not, that'll be even easier. And he's you know,
he's the same on the sort of ground where he's
probably more calculated on the ground than he is on
the feet, but very dangerous and very aggressive as well
(13:49):
with his submissions.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Absolutely and.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
Young, but not only young in the USC, having only
two years of experience.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Think about dismal.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
You are in your tenth title fight, main event, he's
had none. How big of a factor will the experience
become Saturday Night?
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Yeah, well that's a massive thing. But I don't think
that plays.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
I think that's going to help me more to be
more composed, And you know, everyone knows I'm pretty composed,
like stick to a game plan and you know, strategy
and stuff like that. So that experience is going to
help me through this process. But for him, he needs
to be reckless.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Yeah, but what happens if he is reckless and it
doesn't work and you're still there in wround three and
four in five where he's never been.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
But I mean, if this wasn't a title fight as well,
I think he's struggling there anyway, you know what I mean,
because of his style.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
So I don't think.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
It plays too much on his end. On my end,
I think I can benefit from the experience. For him,
I don't think it plays too much of a fact
that does that make sense?
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Yeah, because for him, because he has to fight in
one style.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
He fights like you think if someone lost their composure
in a title fight, that's what it's gonna look like.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
But that's how he fights, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
And that's what it's exciting because he he will risk
it all, you know, to leand that shot. He's gonna
very risky top fight, especially on the feet, and I'm
expecting that to come on Saturday night.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
So I need to be where I need to be composed.
I need to be experienced.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Yeah, and that's what you're gonna say.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
You become the champ again, What does that mean to you?
Because there's have to be days where you go God,
dang man, I'm as far away from this belt as
I've ever been, even when I started. Right now, I'm
want to know on the UFC too, I've never been
this far away from this championship. You become a champ Saturday, Like,
what does that mean to Alexander Volkanowski.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Means right now?
Speaker 3 (15:42):
I think it's the biggest part of my story because
I'm a you know, but I don't feel like it's
said that far. I feel like it is just around
the corner and it's just.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
On Saturday night now it is, yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.
So I feel like.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
It's weird, Like there's a confidence in me that like
I'm already like this the next title ragin, you know,
I'm thinking of this next title raign like it means
so much. This is how this is the this is
my story right here, this is my legacy. I feel
like this is a big part of my legacy, this
next chunk. Even though you know I've done great things,
as you talked about, you know, I'm going to appreciate
(16:16):
all that, but this is just gonna be what separates
you from from so many, you know. So that's this
next title ragin, especially at the age and people want
to throw over thirty five cursing, I'm thirty six years old.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Two knockouts, you can name nobody's one.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Yeah, yeah, I mean even no one's come back from
no One's wanna undispute a title. I just heard this
coming off two losses or two knockouts and stuff like that.
So there's a whole heap of reasons why this win.
This comeback is going to be massive.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
I know one dude that won one off of a loss,
me because they just gave me that biz back.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
I can't beat the interests to him. Man, he's still
the chair, I don't know. And then I won.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
The next way it can happen, bro, it really can
really quick. Before I let you go, Uh one, were
you surprised that Theory was able to get Holloway out
of there?
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (17:06):
I was surprised because of Holloway Shin, but I knew
if there's someone that does catch it, and I could,
you know, really tested it is someone like Ilia. I
knew would be sort of how it was where you know,
Max was still making a half for him, but I
thought Ilia did better as well.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
I was good, I was.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
I just thought it would have went that a little
bit longer and that's where you would have seen Max
really start to, you know, do his thing. But Ilia
has that power and that's you know, with like Islam,
you know he's going to move up.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
People want to count him out.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
I'm like, I'm telling you, like, he's just as dangerous
as anybody you know because of you know, he's going
to look for that chin and.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
He's gonna if he touches it, he can get knocked
out before. Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
I mean and Ilia, if anyone can test that chin again,
it's a it's illy as well.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
So you're gonna I think that far will happen. That's
what I'm gonna say.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
Do you think he gets a title fighting?
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Like, do you think he actually beats Mager?
Speaker 3 (17:57):
The fact that he vacated because you fought him ball, Yeah,
well that's that's it, right, Like people are gonna ask
you for about what do you think?
Speaker 2 (18:04):
I mean, it's pretty simple.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
If anyone anyone looking at it, Iliah is that dangerous
The only way I see even Islam losing is someone
catching him the same move with myself. Yeah so, but
who's got the best chance of doing that?
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Someone like Ilia?
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Yeah so, it's definitely a fun fighter. I think, Look,
if it goes twenty five minutes, it's all Islam. But
there's a good chance that Ilia can catch him because
he's you know, he's obviously got that very tidy boxing
them earlier rounds. You and I think his takedown defense
might help help him a beard and you know, but
them later rounds, you know what, I thought you he
(18:39):
would struggle with Max, but he was able to put
him out before then would be the same case with Islam.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
I always like to pick his brain about those things
because this guy is one of the best analysts in
the game outside of one of the best fighters in
the game.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Thank you for checking it with me again.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
You know what's always funny, guys, I get these guys
on these check ins, and then you get the champions
and he's got a more expensive cologne and he's got
an ap watch.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
These dudes are rich, These dudes, let me say some.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Yes, yeah, he's got a U Blo watch, a beautiful
you blow. I got a I got a golf one,
but the champions got more expensive cologne and they've.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Got nicer watches.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
This dude right here is just way too rich.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Guys, go tap.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Into Alexander Volkanowski, sign up for his YouTube channel, like.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
And subscribe there.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
Also tell you friends that like and subscribe here because
I'm checking in the Guys like Alexander Volkanowski who challenges
are actually fights for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship this
weekend at UFC three or fourteen. Go to ESPN Plus,
hit that pay per view by button and watch my
man try to become a Championgain vote. Thanks again, my brother,
Until next time, guys, Peace,
Host
Daniel Cormier
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