After more than a year of the octagon and consecutive knockouts, many believed that the UFC career of Alex Volkanovski approached its end.
At 36, and with a fourth child on the way, some wondered if he still had fire.
But instead of slipping into the dark, the former featherweight champion found an unexpected second wind – by the kitchen.
The “Cookin” series with Volk de Volkanovski has stormed social networks, attracting more than 2 million followers to Instagram, YouTube and Tiktok.
Videos are not only viral; They are cultural staples. A spicy clip of Doritos chicken hamburger has accumulated seven million views, while his collaborations with chef Kiwi Andy Cooks have pulled eight million more.
“More people come to me and talk about cooking than fighting now,” he said.
The Aussie star MMA Alex Volkanovski finds a new concentration in the kitchen after time away from the UFC
The kitchen helped Volkanovski to reconnect with itself during a well-necessary break with professional fights
“All my rollers on Instagram, all my tiktoks, all the kitchen stuff becomes quadruple views. No one cares about fighting stuff! These are all the cooking stuff for which people go crazy.
The moment of this online wave was not an accident. After his defeat in February 2024 against Ilia Topuria, Volkanovski knew he needed a break – not only of the fight, but the weight of being champion.
“If you want to be the best athlete in the world, a piece of you will go with it,” he said.
Instead of rushing, he spent 14 months to heal, reflect and find himself.
He jumped training when he wanted it. He went to the football matches of his daughters. He cooked. He lived.
“It was great for me to evolve as a human being; Like Alex, ”he said. “I have always lived my life around a training calendar for 15 years.
This space gave him a perspective. “There were times when I would have struggled to organize conversations with friends and family,” he admitted.
“I didn’t know how to have appropriate conversations. You let no emotion enter when you are at the camp.
The cuisine has become the Volkanovski sanctuary while mentally and physically recovered from past setbacks
Critics have questioned its future, but Volkanovski silently rebuilt next to the spotlight
With renewed energy, Volkanovski returns under the spotlight for another title
But over time has come from clarity. “Now I have a little more understanding of whom I am. I am always intended to be this champion, but to be this champion being me.
The kitchen show not only reconnected Volkanovski with the public, but it has reshaped its brand.
“People who were not too sure of sponsoring a fighter want to sponsor me now because all of a sudden I have a brand outside the fighting,” he said.
The transformation drew the attention of everyone – even the South South Prime Minister Chris Minns gave Volkanovski a cry before his confrontation of the UFC 314 with Diego Lopes of Brazil.
This fight, scheduled for Sunday afternoon (AST) in Miami, is a place of space. With the featherweight title released, the two men have the objectives of gold.
Lopes, on a sequence of victories of five fights, has an advantage of height of 12 cm and a dangerous arsenal of Jiu Jitsu and of direct elimination.
But Volkanovski is not shaken. “(Lopes) is a very dangerous fighter, a large Jiu Jitsu, a power in my hands … But I think I am the best and I will prove this Saturday evening.
Despite the criticisms of the longtime rival, Colby Covington, who accused him of “fighting for money now”, Volkanovski insists that he is more concentrated and disciplined than ever.
Volkanovski reacts after being beaten by Islam Makhachev of Russia at UFC 294 in October
The Australian is determined to end his career according to his own conditions, not to be forced after a pair of rare losses
He has abandoned alcohol and has not had a cheating meal for 16 weeks.
“I don’t think he is fighting for good things,” said Covington. But Volkanovski does not agree.
He admitted that he considered his retirement after Topuria’s fight but decided that he had more to give.
“It does not stop here, and these losses play a big role in me by finding the title,” he said.
“Now, I’m really good to balance both, and I wouldn’t have that if I didn’t have that free time.”
Lopes recognized that the heritage of Volkanovski at the presser before the fight, calling him a “legend in sport” before adding: “But it’s now my time to take the belt”.
Volkanovski, smiling through the noise, had a last message for fans.
“I felt love so much last year. I appreciate each of you, and I bring this F ******* belt to Australia. It comes with me, baby, let’s go!
The main event starts at 12 noon, with Volkanovski which should enter the cage around 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
