In the aftermath of his UFC 294 defeat to Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski revealed he struggles with his mental health when he isn't fighting or in training camp; the PFL Europe's Head of Fighter Operations Dan Hardy offered his insight on support structures that could help
Tuesday 24 October 2023 17:41, UK
Alexander Volkanovski knew he had a mountain to climb when he accepted taking on Islam Makhachev - the fighter he'd lost to eight months prior - in Abu Dhabi with just 12 days' notice after Charles Oliveira pulled out.
The 35-year-old admitted before the fight that he "did not have time to prepare for the worst". That much was evident given that he had to lose two stone in a fortnight to make the 155lb limit. However, anyone familiar with his fighting style would have still predicted a ruthless display.
Unfortunately for the Australian fighter, the worst did happen: a first-round knockout via a left high-kick that ended his hopes to win a first lightweight title.
In the immediate aftermath of the defeat, the reigning featherweight champion offered an insight into his emotional state, admitting he had struggled with mental health issues outside of the Octagon.
"I needed a fight, and this opportunity came up. I wasn't training as much as I should have, but I thought I had to do it. I had to take it," Volkanovski began.
"A lot of people will say it's for the money, but it was much more than that. It is hard for athletes; I never thought I would struggle.
"But for some reason, when I wasn't fighting or in camp or keeping busy, I was just doing my head in," he added, wiping away tears.
Professional Fighters League Europe's head of fighter operations, Dan Hardy, said he has spent a lot of time since Saturday considering Volkanovski's comments.
He said: "If I'm honest, that was concerning. It's been in my mind since the press conference, and it's an insight into the cathartic benefits fighters get from their work.
"He's a very intense individual. He's got a very, very high energy level, even if he's just in a room, sitting on a sofa.
"Mixed martial arts will keep him busy because there are so many different ranges for him to work.
"But the focus of training camp is what brings him peace of mind, [and] he struggles with when he's not in camp. We need to keep an eye on him, and I think we need to be aware of fighters coming to the end of their career.
"You lose your identity when you retire, and he will have to face that at some point," he added.
"We need to ensure that we've got other things he can do. He could be a great coach, commentator, or judge. He could do many things, but the aftercare for fighters will be at the forefront."
Hardy also provided his thoughts on what structures could be put in place to help fighters reaching the retirement stage continue to be a part of the sport they love.
He said: "It's tough because fighters don't think about what comes after their career; they think about retiring with the belt and being rich for the rest of their lives.
"You have that mentality if you're in combat sports because you need that confidence to back up your preparation and skills.
"The UFC did a fantastic job for me when I was sidelined. They put me into commentary, and I've got a whole new career off the back of it, which I'm incredibly grateful for".
Hardy was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome in 2013. During his hiatus away from the action, he served as a commentator and analyst.
"But there are so many other jobs in and around the sport of mixed martial arts that we could be transitioning these fighters into. I work with the PFL and want to get to a stage where I can speak to fighters winding their careers down.
"I can go, okay, we can get you qualified as a judge, referee, or coach. MMA is growing so quickly that there are jobs for these guys. But there needs to be a post-career structure, too".
Volkanovski's first-round defeat on Saturday came having accepted the contest on short notice.
"It doesn't surprise me at all knowing the kind of person that he is," said Hardy of Volkanovski's decision to take the bout.
"But, his mixed martial arts career is probably winding down to his last few fights. And if you look at the previous fight, he finished on such a strong note that I would imagine since that last round against Max [Holloway], where he dropped him, he's probably spent a lot of time thinking about it with that rose-tinted impression of how the fight was going in his head.
Volkanovski successfully defended his featherweight title for the fourth time in the trilogy's third instalment against Holloway last July, winning all three contests by the judge's decision.
"As a fighter, you feel like you could have done something slightly different. But Makhachev is just supreme. He's an incredible fighter at every range".
Hardy also spoke of what Volkanovski might've done to prepare for the headline event, and how things might've gone differently if he'd had a slightly longer training camp.
He explained: "the first thing I would do is get a hold of my pads, and I'd want to do a good few hard rounds just to see where my gas tank is.
"He's got a good base level of conditioning just because he's been a professional athlete for many years".
Volkanovski was a semi-professional rugby player prior to switching to MMA in 2011 aged 23.
"So you can imagine that the gas tank that he's got is in-built at this stage. But there is a peak that you need to reach, especially when you're fighting someone like Makhachev.
"You do need to bring that conditioning up to an elite level. And I don't think he had the opportunity to do that," he added.
"I think he felt like the work was done in the last training camp, and he was fit enough to get in there and try to put it right this time. But it just goes to show you even an elite fighter, if they're not in elite condition, it does make a difference".
Volkanovski has announced he will return to the Octagon in January to defend his featherweight title against unbeaten contender Illia Topuria - a move that Hardy feels is the right thing to do for now.
"The featherweight division is hot, and there's a lot of new contenders coming through who could potentially find themselves in a title shot soon.
"He doesn't want to find himself beating the same people that he's already defended his belt against.
"So if there are new challenges for him, we'll see two or three more title defences out of him in that division before he looks at moving back up to face Makhachev."
