5 reasons why Alexander Volkanovski should get more respect

#4. Alexander Volkanovski's transformation

UFC Fight Night: Werdum v Tybura

Alexander Volkanovski is the 145-pound UFC champion. However, 'The Great' was once a buffed-up rugby player who weighed nearly 220 pounds. Volkanovski picked up Greco-Roman wrestling at an early age. By the time he turned 12, he was already a national champion.

The UFC featherweight champion was initially more into rugby, which is why he gave up on wrestling at the age of 14. He went on to play semi-professional rugby in the South Coast Rugby League for Warilla Gorillas as a front-rower. Due to his athletic-built and gifted agility, Volkanovski was named the league's best player in 2010.

In the season's final in 2011 against Gerringong, Alexander Volkanovski played a key role in getting his team the win. He was awarded the Man of the Match award for his performance. However the Aussie soon realized his love for MMA and quit rugby for good at the age of 23.

Alexander Volkanovski not only transformed from a rugby player into an MMA athlete, but he also tested the waters of different weight classes. Starting off as a welterweight, Volkanovski gradually moved down to the featherweight category, winning multiple championships on his way.

Only a handful of MMA athletes have competed across more than two weight divisions and Alexander Volkanovski deserves all the respect for having dominated his way through.

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#3. Alexander Volkanovski has competed as a professional boxer

Max Holloway v Alexander Volkanovski

While he was out trying his hand at different sports and mastering them, Alexander Volkanovski didn't leave boxing out either. He made his professional boxing debut in 2015 against Dillon Bargero and won via unanimous decision after four rounds. Volkanovski is certainly as skilled with his hands as he has shown himself to be. After all, it takes more than a gritty fighter to pick apart Max Holloway in back-to-back fights like Volkanovski has done.

Speaking to 7News Australia, Alexander Volkanovski said he would return to the sport in the near future. While he admitted his love for boxing, Volkanovski said that he was currently focused on the UFC and his contract with them.

"Yeah, I would (return to boxing). Obviously, now you can't, because you're in the UFC. You're locked into that contract. It makes it hard. I'd definitely like to towards the end of the (MMA) career. There's a lot of big names... It'll be a lot of fun because I love boxing."