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“MMA is a big part of my life. All the work I put in is to become the best. It means providing for my family. I am a competitor and will not rest until I get what I am after.”

From Humble Beginnings

In spite of his outwardly tough demeanour, Alex truly embodies the qualities of a dedicated family man. He is happily married to his beautiful wife Emma, and takes immense pride in being a cherished father to his daughters. This deep commitment to his family serves as a constant source of motivation and drive, spurring him to train relentlessly and compete at the highest echelons of his profession.

Alex was born in Wollongong, NSW, and he carries within him a strong sense of pride for his Macedonian and Greek heritage, which he inherited from his father and mother. This connection to his ancestral roots is reflected in his fighting moniker, "The Great," drawing parallels to the famed Alexander the Great, who too boasted a Macedonian father and Greek mother.

From a young age, Alex immersed himself in the world of Greco-Roman wrestling, showcasing exceptional talent and securing national titles twice by the tender age of 12. At 14, he made the decision to pursue rugby, where he quickly excelled as a semi-professional player, making his mark as a front rower for the Warilla Gorillas and culminating in a triumphant grand final victory in his final season.

At the age of 22, during the off-season of his rugby career, Alex discovered MMA as a means of maintaining his fitness levels. It didn't take long for his passion for the sport to ignite, prompting him to commit to full-time training and explore the limits of his potential. Originally competing in the middleweight division, Alex underwent an impressive physical transformation, shedding weight and eventually finding his home in the featherweight division.

The Rise to the Top

Transitioning from his original role as a front-row rugby player, Alex, affectionately known as Volko, transformed himself from a 96kg powerhouse into a high-octane athlete weighing 65.8kg. With his exceptional skills, strength, and stamina, he has rightfully earned recognition as one of the world's top pound-for-pound fighters, boasting an impressive professional MMA record of 25-2-0 and currently reigning as the UFC Featherweight Champion.

Supported wholeheartedly by his wife Emma, Alex made the courageous decision to leave behind his full-time job as a Concreter and fully dedicate himself to a career in MMA. Training tirelessly under the watchful eye of his head coach, Joe Lopez, from Freestyle Martial Arts in NSW, and refining his skills through frequent training camps in Thailand, Alex's career gained significant momentum. It was during this time that he forged lifelong friendships with fellow fighters such as Brad Riddell and Kai Kara-France, while also developing a close bond with the team at City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand.

‘MMA is a big part of my life. All the work I put in is to become the best. It means providing for my family. I am a competitor and will not rest until I get what I am after’ -AV

Earned Not Given

Making his debut with the UFC in November 2016, Alex wasted no time climbing the ranks of his division, eventually earning himself a title shot against Max Holloway. Emerging victorious, he was crowned the UFC Featherweight World Champion on December 19, 2019.

Since capturing the title, Alex has been an indomitable force, successfully defending his belt against the likes of Holloway (twice), Brian Ortega (in a fight recognized as ESPN's Fight of the Year in 2021), and Korean Zombie. These stellar performances have solidified Alex's status as the greatest featherweight of all time.

"I’m going to stay champion for a long time’ -AV

The Great/ness

Alex's unparalleled work ethic extends to every facet of his life. Whether as a devoted husband, a doting father to his daughters, or a world champion fighter, he constantly strives for excellence and personal growth.

As he continues to headline sold-out events for the world's premier fight promotion, Alex remains an unassuming individual achieving extraordinary feats.

Balancing his passions for cooking, camping, fishing, and exploring the great outdoors with his family, Alex is truly living a life that most can only dream of, a reality attained by only a fortunate few who mix raw talent with drive and determination.

‘I pride myself on being a family man. I pride myself on being respectful and hard working’ -AV

Result Opponent Event Method
Loss Islam Makhachev UFC294 KO
Win Yair Rodríguez UFC290 TKO
Loss Islam Makhachev UFC284 Decision
Win Islam Mac UFC276 Decision
Win Chan Sung Jung UFC276 TKO
Win Brian Ortega UFC266 Decision
Win Max Holloway UFC 251 Decision (split)
Win Max Holloway UFC 245 Decision (unanimous)
Win Jose Aldo UFC 237 Decision (unanimous)
Win Chad Mendes UFC 232 TKO (punches)
Win Darren Elkins UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov Decision (unanimous)
Win Jeremy Kennedy UFC 221 TKO (punches and elbows)
Win Shane Young UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura Decision (unanimous)
Win Mizuto Hirota UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt Decision (unanimous)
Win Yusuke Kasuya UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson TKO (Punches)
Win Jai Bradney Wollongong Wars 4 TKO (Punches)
Win Jamie Mullarkey Australian Fighting Championship 15 KO (punch)
Win Yusuke Yachi Pacific Xtreme Combat 50 Submission (triangle choke)
Win James Bishop Australian Fighting Championship 13 TKO (punches)
Win David Butt Wollongong Wars 2 TKO (punches)
Win Kyle Reyes Pacific Xtreme Combat 45 Decision (unanimous)
Win Jai Bradney Roshambo MMA 3 – In the Cage Submission (rear-naked choke)
Win Rodolfo Marques Diniz Australian Fighting Championship 9 KO (Punches)
Win Greg Atzori Roshambo MMA 2 – In the Cage Submission (guillotine choke)
Win Luke Catubig Australian Fighting Championship 7 TKO (punches)
Loss Corey Nelson Australian Fighting Championship 5 TKO (head kick and punches)
Win Anton Zafir Roshambo MMA 1 – In the Cage TKO (punches)
Win Regan Wilson Southern Fight Promotions – Cage Conquest 2 TKO (doctor stoppage)
Win Gerhard Voigt Revolution Promotions – Revolution at the Roxy Decision (unanimous)

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