Israel Adesanya has nothing but good things to say about Alexander Volkanovski.
The UFC Featherweight Champion returns to action this weekend, where he defends his title against interim champ Yair Rodriguez in the UFC 290 headliner. This will be Volkanovski’s first fight since dropping a close decision to lightweight king Islam Makhachev at UFC 284.
How Volkanovski Handled His Loss
Not everybody agreed with the verdict in the super-fight between Volkanovski and Makhachev, with many scoring the fight for the Aussie. Despite the controversial result, ‘The Great’ has kept his chin up with hopes of one day redeeming himself against Makhachev and capturing double-champ status once and for all.
Adesanya talks about the qualities of his City Kickboxing counterpart, Volkanovski.
“[Alexander Volkanovski] stayed true to who he is as a champion,” Adesanya told UFC.com. “As a great, staying true to himself. It’s deeper than that. I don’t know how to put it in words. As a fighter, I understand it because to lose like that, on a stage like that, when you felt like you won and get robbed of your moment and still hold your head high and not throw your toys, sourpuss and all that.”
Adesanya has looked unstoppable for most of his UFC career, but just like Volkanovski, he is no stranger to losing. ‘The Last Stylebender’ had his title reign snapped by rival Alex Pereira at UFC 281, losing by fifth-round TKO. Adesanya would take his first middleweight loss in stride and later avenge it, stopping Pereira with punches at UFC 287 earlier this year.
Adesanya On Volkanovski: ‘He’s An Inspirational Dude’
Whether Volkanovski wins or loses, Adesanya notes his aura is an ‘inspirational’ one.
“His character showed and the man that he is, past fighting, showed. He’s an inspirational dude, man,” Adesanya said of Volkanovski. “He’s an inspirational dude. [Not] just as a human being, but as a fighter.
“He’s a homie, man. Get homies that inspire you, that actually inspire you to do better and be great.”
Find yourself a friend like Alexander Volkanovski, says Israel Adesanya.
