Alexander Volkanovski opens up about mental health struggles before UFC 294

Emotional Revelation

Alexander Volkanovski, the featherweight champion, was overcome with emotion as he discussed his mental health struggles prior to his defeat at UFC 294. Volkanovski stepped in on short notice to rematch lightweight king Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi after Charles Oliveira pulled out due to injury.

A Brave Admission

Volkanovski, 35, had previously lost to Makhachev, 31, in a points decision during his initial 155lb title challenge in February. However, he rebounded with a victory over Yair Rodriguez in July. During his recent interview, the Australian legend revealed the mental battle he faced during the three months he was not in training camp.

The Struggles of Athletes

Volkanovski acknowledged the difficulties that athletes face with their mental health. He confessed that he never anticipated struggling with it, but it became a challenge during the periods when he was not fighting or in camp. He paused mid-sentence, visibly emotional, as he expressed how not being in camp affected him mentally.

A Desperate Need to Stay Busy

Volkanovski explained that he found solace in staying busy and being in camp. He admitted that he was not training as much as he should have been before the fight with Makhachev, but he felt compelled to take the opportunity. He emphasized that he needed to be in camp to avoid getting overwhelmed by his thoughts.

A Last-Minute Replacement

Volkanovski replaced Oliveira, who suffered a cut in sparring and was unable to face Makhachev. The featherweight champion agreed to step in on short notice, despite feeling unprepared. He expressed gratitude to the UFC for keeping him busy and allowing him to continue pursuing his passion.

More Than Just Money

Volkanovski concluded by stating that his decision to fight was about more than just money. He hinted that there were deeper reasons for his participation in the bout, which he did not elaborate on. The fight ended with Makhachev knocking out Volkanovski.