Alexander Volkanovski has defeated Brian Ortega at UFC 266 and defended his title. With this win, “The Great” has become the third fighter in the longest active UFC win streaks. However, the fight with brian was brutal for both the fighters. Especially, Volkanovski coming of Brian’s guillotine choke was a treat to fight fan’s eyes. The bout was arguably one of the best featherweight title fights.
So, how did the great pull it off again? Volkanovski answered that in the post-fight octagon interview.
When DC asked the same, The fighter revealed:
“it’s all preparation, I do that every fu**ing time. I am a normal human being. It’s just hard work to be where I am. Anyone could do what I have done. The sky is the limit for any of you. Everyone back home in Australia, I know you are going through a rough time. So, I did this for you. To my family to my teams, everyone that backed me, everyone that helped me, I did that for you. And all the doubters, I am going to keep proving you wrong time to time again. Bring it ”
Alexander Volkanovski finally praises Brian Ortega:
Alexander has always been critical of Ortega’s drug test failure saga and has called Ortega unprofessional. DC further questioned if he was cautious as the fight went long and Alex was winning. To which The Great answered:
“Obviously when you got some of the submissions, some of them were pretty tight. For some reason I stayed with him on the ground“. Ortega had him in his guillotine choke. But, Alex managed to get out of it.
Alexander then finally praised Ortega for his skills saying” He is good. I talked and said he is not my level. As I was trying to get into his head as much as I could. But he came back stronger. So credit to him.”
He further added that after fighting “T-city“, he felt like an idiot for the disrespect he gave him earlier. But, Volks believes as he has proved himself.
Finally, when DC asked if he thinks it’s finally time for people to respect him, he said: “100 percent, Keep doubting me, I love it. I will be the underdog for the day I die. As that is just going to make me work harder”
Certainly, the fighter has every right to be respected and after today’s victory, his doubters will have to start believing in him.