It has taken some time, but Australia’s reigning UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is finally feeling the respect he deserves in America.
Despite beating Hawaiian superstar Max Holloway in back-to-back fights, the first time to become the champion and the second time defending his belt, Volkanovski wasn’t unanimously viewed as a deserving champion by MMA fans as both of those fights were decided by the judges.
But following his second title defence against Brian Ortega in September, Volkanovski feels that public sentiment has shifted, and he is now seen as a worthy titleholder.
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That bout at UFC 266 also went the distance, but it was a much more dominant performance by the Australian than the victories he scored against Holloway.
“You notice it everywhere, you really do,” Volkanovski told Fox Sports’ Fight Week when asked if he noticed a change in fans’ attitudes towards him while walking the streets in America.
“It has changed and I guess I was never really looking for it and I was looking for the wrong things maybe before, but I’m definitely feeling the love right now.”
Volkanovski will next be in action on Sunday…
