Alexander Volkanovski is experiencing a moment of validation. After his recent dominant victory at UFC 333, the UFC featherweight champion finds himself receiving unprecedented recognition from fans and media alike. Yet despite his accomplishments, the 38-year-old Australian acknowledges a lingering frustration with mainstream coverage of his career.
“It does upset me a little bit that I know that some of the mainstream media won’t ever try and show that,” Volkanovski said during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
However, he was quick to offer perspective on the situation. “Maybe they just don’t. It’s just not their sport. They don’t understand it. I’m trying to be given the benefit of the doubt here.”
The champion was candid about the ongoing conversation surrounding his place among Australia’s greatest athletes. While he acknowledged the debate, Volkanovski remains focused on the support he receives from those who do understand his achievements.
“Do I believe that my accomplishments should be up there with some of the greats? Yes, I do believe that,” he admitted. “It isn’t mainstream and a lot of people are going to try and steer away from this sport, but not the people.”
Volkanovski revealed that regular Australians consistently approach him with high praise. “I don’t know how many people come up to me and say that they think I’m like, they’ll say, you’re the greatest athlete Australia’s ever had or one of. I have the people come up to me saying these things all the time,” he explained.
“We’re just talking about what’s on the news. I don’t care. Who cares what’s on your news? The most real conversations are on the internet anyway.”
The champion described noticeable differences in public reception compared to other Australian athletes.
“We could be there with a whole heap of different athletes. I get a lot of love,” he said. “They might throw a lot of these other guys in their faces a lot more because they’re on TV a lot more. The people that will come up and interact with me is like a lot.”
What particularly bothers Volkanovski is the potential impact on formal recognition.
“The only thing that may annoy me is when they do real awards, sporting awards, there’s no way they’re throwing me the things even though a lot of people, and again I’m talking myself up, I dislike it,” he said, struggling with self-promotion throughout the conversation.
Despite the mainstream media gap, Volkanovski expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received recently.
“I’m so thankful for the love that I get. The appreciation I get from the fans, media, UFC staff, just athletes, you name it, just everyone,” he said. “It wasn’t that long ago that these things I guess I wasn’t noticed like this, but I am now.”
The champion also addressed his future, indicating openness to moving up to lightweight for a title compete against Arman Tsarukyan if Justin Gaethje retires. He emphasized his willingness to vacate the featherweight belt to avoid holding up either division.
“I’ll vacate the featherweight belt, compete Arman for the title,” he confirmed during the discussion.
