“There’s no way I’m letting this guy take my belt away from my family.” – Alexander Volkanovski on Fighting, Sacrifice & The Cost of Greatness

In this episode of No Business Being A Castano, Amy and Jono sit down with former UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski to talk about what it takes to stay at the top. From his early days as a national wrestling champion to dominating the UFC, Volkanovski opens up about the sacrifices, mental battles, and unwavering discipline that define his career.

Nothing is off-limits as he shares how he balances fighting, family, and his passion for cooking, the mindset that keeps him pushing forward, and why he’s making big changes for his next chapter.

💬 What’s in this episode?

From rugby league to UFC gold – The unexpected journey to becoming one of the most dominant fighters in the sport.

Cooking with Volk – How food became his unexpected creative outlet.

The secret to staying on top – The extreme discipline behind his training.

The hardest fights—inside and outside the octagon – How he handles setbacks, self-doubt, and public scrutiny.

Balancing family and fighting – Why guilt and sacrifice come with the job.

What’s next for Volk? – The final chapter of his fighting career & his growing empire outside of MMA.

Follow & Connect:

📲 Follow Jono & Amy:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/acero
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jonocastanoacero
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/amycastano

🥋 Connect with Alexander Volkanovski:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexvolkanovski/

🎙️ Stay in the loop with Curious Media:

• Website: www.curious.media
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/curiousmediahq

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to No Business Being A Castano

• Amy & Jono introduce the episode and why they were excited to sit down with Alexander Volkanovski.

00:03 – “There’s no way I’m letting this guy take my bills away from my family.”

• How Volkanovski’s mindset fuels his relentless pursuit of greatness.

00:07 – From rugby league to the UFC

• His early sports career and the unexpected path that led him to fighting.

00:12 – The discipline that separates him from the rest

• Why he’s back in the gym immediately after a fight—and how that work ethic makes him unbeatable.

00:19 – The hardest battles: mental vs. physical

• How he pushes through doubt, negativity, and public criticism.

00:26 – Cooking with Volk

• His surprising love for cooking, his YouTube series, and how food helps him switch off from fighting.

00:31 – The weight of responsibility

• Why guilt comes with being a fighter, and how he navigates balancing his career and family life.

00:35 – What’s next for Alexander Volkanovski?

• His next big moves inside and outside the octagon.

00:40 – Highs & Lows of the Week

• Jono, Amy, and Volk get personal about their week—big wins, tough moments, and random surprises.

00:45 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

• Amy & Jono thank Volkanovski for joining the pod and tease what’s coming up next.