- Volkanovski breaks down in tears after knockout loss
- Aussie reveals the mental pressure he has been under
- Says he struggles when he’s not training for a fight
Alexander Volkanovski has broken down in tears following his painful KO loss to Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi, showing the intense personal pressure he has been under.
Makhachev defeated Volkanovski at UFC 294 with a devastating head kick and punches in Round 1 of their highly anticipated rematch.
It was an impressive performance from Makhachev and ended the debate that remained after the pair’s first fight in February.
Incredibly, it was only the second time in the Australian’s career that he had been stopped and the pain of it was there for all to see.
Volkanovski became very emotional when speaking to the press after the fight, fighting back tears as he spoke about the pressure he has been under.
Featherweight king Alex Volkanovski was devastated after his loss to Islam Makhachev
Volkanovski was in tears after the fight and revealed the mental struggle he has gone through in the lead up to the event
“It’s hard,” he said
‘It’s really difficult for athletes.
“I never thought I’d have a problem with it, but for some reason, when I wasn’t fighting or in camp…”
Volkanovski was forced to pause and collect himself when he became choked.
“F**k, sorry,” he told reporters.
“It (not being in camp) just put my head in it.
“So when this opportunity came up, I’ll be honest: I didn’t train as much as I should have, but I thought I had to do it.
‘I had to take it. I thought it would be this way…I told myself it had to be this way.
Volkanovski revealed that not training for competition ‘got his head in’
‘I tried my best not to fight.
‘I do not know why.
‘I have a beautiful family.
‘I think you just have to keep busy. So I’m asking the UFC to keep me busy.
‘I have to be in camp or I’ll stick my head in.
“I’ll leave it at that.”
Volkanovski then suggested it might have been ‘foolish’ of him to take the fight on just eleven days’ notice, but he took nothing away from his rival.
“Too much detail, so I apologize for that,” he said.
“I think it (mental health issues) is a common problem, but it’s okay to touch on it.
“The only thing I wanted to get out of it was that it was about much more than just money.”
Makhachev will likely next face Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje, although he will be a significant favorite against both men.
Currently, Jon Jones sits at the top of the pound-for-pound list, but it’s hard to argue with the Russian on these types of forms.