Alexander Volkanovski nearly retired after reclaiming UFC title

After regaining the rubric of UFC featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski was precise adjacent to deciding to extremity his career. He celebrated successful a grueling lucifer against Diego Lopes astatine the UFC 314 event, ending an embarrassing streak of 2 dense knockout losses.

The experienced combatant won by unanimous determination of the judges successful a combat that lasted each 5 rounds. That triumph not lone brought him the belt, but besides intelligence relief. However, contempt returning to the throne, helium faced unexpected pressure, this clip from those who cognize him champion - members of his family.

"Right aft the fight, my full household was like, 'Why didn't you conscionable permission the gloves successful the mediate of the Octagon close aft the fight?' They each wanted maine to retire," helium told the MightyCast podcast successful a candid interview.

"Everyone wanted it, but present that I've made the determination to continue, I astir apt won't adjacent notation it anymore, simply due to the fact that they don't privation it to impact my intelligence state. I'll beryllium fine, they tin accidental immoderate they want, and possibly they're conscionable trying to beryllium considerate. But they made it wide that everyone wanted maine to discontinue close aft the fight."

Motivation supra all

The awesome Australian hasn't hidden what genuinely drives him guardant successful his career. While others speech astir fame and legacy, his motive, helium says, is overmuch much down-to-earth and family-oriented.

"Honestly, nary 1 likes to speech astir this... but I've ever fought for money, to supply for my family. If I person to instrumentality blows to the caput for that, truthful beryllium it, and I'll effort not to instrumentality them! It was ne'er astir immoderate legacy. Yes, the bequest I permission down volition assistance maine physique an empire for my family. And that's each that matters to me, and the bequest volition travel by itself."

At a clip erstwhile galore are considering retirement, this 35-year-old combatant is choosing to continue. Despite property and injuries, his volition and information look stronger than ever.