UFC 314 star Alexander Volkanovski was a 214 lbs. rugby player before fighting in MMA

Alexander Volkanovski’s athletic career initially went in a very different direction before he became a world-class fighter and UFC champion.

The 36-year-old is scheduled to headline UFC 314 this weekend, where Volkanovski will attempt to become a two-time UFC featherweight champion when he and top contender Diego Lopes square off for the division’s vacant belt.

“The Great” began his MMA career as a welterweight before finding success at both featherweight and lightweight during his pre-UFC run, and it’s understandable that the Australian initially fought at 170 lbs. given the size he was before fully committing to fighting.

Alexander Volkanovski (red gloves) prior to the fight against Yair Rodriguez (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Volkanovski Found Success In Rugby Before MMA Career

Standing at 5’6”, Volkanovski once weighed as much as 214 lbs. during his semi-professional career as a rugby league player in Australia.

His honors while playing for the Warilla Gorillas included the Mick Cronin Medal as the Group 7 Rugby League best player in 2010 and a Man of the Match performance in the Gorrilla’s 2011 Grand Final victory over Gerringong, but after dabbling in MMA in between rugby seasons Volkanovski decided to fully commit to fighting at age 23.

The move ended up paying off for Volkanovski, as he put together a 13-1 record competing on the Australian regional scene before he arrived in the UFC and scored a second-round finish against Yusuke Kasuya in his promotional debut in 2016.

"The Great" Looks To Snap Two-Fight Skid At UFC 314

Volkanovski went on to claim the featherweight belt from longtime Champion Max Holloway at UFC 245 and defeated “Blessed” twice more as part of a title reign that included five successful defenses of his belt. His only loss during that stretch came in a failed double-champ bid against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284.

Islam Makhachev (red gloves) fights Alexander Volkanovski (blue gloves) during UFC 284 at RAC Arena. | Jasmin Frank-Imagn Images

Volkanovski accepted a short-notice rematch with Makhachev later that same year after he defended his belt against then-interim champion and fellow UFC 314 fighter Yair Rodriguez, but after being stopped by Makhachev the Australian then faced the undefeated Ilia Topuria and lost his title via second-round knockout.

Brian Ortega (red gloves) fights Diego Lopes (blue gloves) during Riyadh Season Noche UFC 306 at Sphere. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Topuria’s decision to vacate the featherweight title and move up to lightweight gave Volkanovski the opportunity to immediately reclaim his belt, but to do so the 36-year-old will have to halt Lopes’ six-fight win streak when the pair meet in the main event of UFC 314 on Saturday.

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