How Good was Alexander Volkanvoski in Greco Roman Wrestling?

Alexander Volkanovski, born on September 29, 1988, is a mixed martial artist from Australia. He is presently an active participant in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and holds the #1 contender spot. Additionally, he previously held the Australian Fighting Championship (AFC) Featherweight championship. Before making his debut in the UFC, Volkanovski pursued a career as a professional boxer in 2015. He currently holds the third position in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings, only behind Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev.

Alexander Volkanvoski Greco-Roman Wrestling

Alexander Volkanovski was a highly skilled Greco-Roman wrestler, winning two national titles at the age of 12.

Volkanovski’s wrestling skills have translated well to mixed martial arts, where he is known for his takedowns, clinch control, and ability to use his wrestling to set up his striking.

Early Life of Alexander Volkanovski

Alexander Volkanovski was born on September 29, 1988, in Wollongong, New South Wales, and comes from a mixed heritage, with his father being from SR Macedonia (now North Macedonia) and his mother from Greece. He started training in Greco-Roman wrestling at a young age and achieved success by winning a national title twice when he was only 12 years old. However, at the age of 14, he decided to leave wrestling behind and focus on a career in rugby league. He attended Lake Illawarra High School and, after graduation, worked as a concreter.

In rugby league, Volkanovski played for the Warilla Gorillas in the Group 7 Rugby League. He excelled in the sport and was recognized as the league's best player when he was awarded the Mick Cronin Medal in 2010. He also played a significant role in Warilla's championship-winning season in 2011, where he was named Man of the Match in the Grand Final victory over Gerringong. However, when he turned 23, Volkanovski decided to leave rugby league and pursue a professional career in Mixed Martial Arts.

Volkanovski had been a longtime fan of the UFC, watching events since childhood and even renting UFC VHS tapes from Blockbuster. He began training in mixed martial arts at the age of 22 to stay active during the rugby league off-season. Initially weighing 97 kg (214 lb), he eventually developed a passion for the sport and decided to pursue it seriously. Known for his powerful overhand right and offensive wrestling skills, Volkanovski competed in amateur fights in the middleweight division before turning professional and moving down to welterweight, lightweight, and ultimately featherweight.

He is affiliated with Freestyle Fighting Gym in Wollongong but also trains at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket and City Kickboxing in Auckland during his training camps. He has trained alongside notable UFC fighters such as Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker, and Kai Kara-France. Throughout his MMA career, Volkanovski has been supported by coaches like Joe Lopez, Eugene Bareman, and Craig Jones.

Last Updated On February 18, 2024.