Alexander Volkanovski Struggled To 'Pull the Trigger' Vs. Islam Makhachev | UFC 294 | MMA Fighting 

Shows up to the press conference like a boss. Didn’t run, showed up with head up high, maintained his composure. That is a champion.

He’s family and friends need to keep an eye on him. He’s battling some demons.

As someone that has my own mental struggles, I sincerely hope that Volk is doing well. Its is always hard to judge form a distance not knowing the actual person, but it feels like his issues are beyond inactivity. He may be using fighting as a distraction or temporary fix that might not address the root of the problem. Mental health is still a difficult subject for men to discuss, I imagine that is exacerbated in the fight game. Major credit to him for opening up like this. I wish he gets all the help and support in the world for doing so. He has always been inspirational to me, but knowing he has sturrles like these only makes him more of a hero in my eyes.

This is why we love Volk. Pure class. Balls of steel taking this fight on short notice.

Great Athlete...brilliant champion of the Featherweight division. Never seen Volk this emotional , sometimes these guys need time before a post fight interview, difficult to say stuff when things are raw.

How can you not love this guy. Seriously. He’s such a champion. Good role model. I respect volk so freaking much.

You could clearly see he wasn’t in tip top shape BUT that head kick was a killer no matter what the scenario.

Volk is a generational talent and even better human being. Keep your head up champ. One of my all time favorite fighters.

Damn, I respect Volk even more after this loss as he shows his human side. Keep your head up champ! Congratulations Islam

Damn. That's Volk. Even the baddest of the bad aren't immune to the struggles of the mundane. Good on him for even bringing that out.

Respect to Volk. Honest words. Many people care deeply about their occupation and feel unstable when away for long periods of time. Not because they necessarily even “love” their job, but because it provides the structure and purpose that they depend on to thrive.

Feel for Volk. For a guy that doesn’t show a lot of emotion you can tell this one really got to him. Like he said it would be a long long road back to Islam. Heartbreaking. You can tell it was an off night for him. This game smh. Love you Volk. True warrior poet

As a Makhachev fan, I'll show what real Makhachev fans do. ALL RESPECT FOR VOLKANOVSKI!!! ONE OF THE TOP GOATS !!! HE DID WHAT ANY OTHER GOATS DIDN'T/WOULDN'T DO!!!

Volk is still the man. My favorite fighter!

I love Volk and was going for him but there are many fighters that do not and will not “pull the trigger “ in the first 3 minutes of a 5 round championship fight 😂

Wishing you the best brother. I understand the mental struggles can be difficult at times to deal with.

What a guy. One of the best ever. I think they should be given more time after a loss, not the right time to be in a press conference. He should have been with friends/family not taking questions.

So glad he's come out and being honest. I knew something wasn't right as what he said would do. Needed to be in his face on front foot not be hesitant waiting. That negates the kick. Shocked he fell for it and fight was just spicing up.

Volk is a savage. We knew he’d take the fight on any notice. The UFC or his management should’ve been smart with their investment and not fed him to such a phenom. Nobody will ever beat Islam on short notice

The weasle has been calling volks defence to head kicks for ages now, finally hes proven correct, unfortunate for volk though really wanted him to win both fights and get that 2nd belt

I am a die-hard Islam fan, but the respect and appreciation I have for Volk, is equal to my respect for Islam.

Pure class, true champions champion

If Kamaru can come back on short notice and have a great performance like that after a recent KO loss, I think Alex can do the same if not do more. These guys have that champion mindset.

I see them becoming very good friends. Alex is a strong man.

Great dude. Knew he was gonna lose this go around. Hope he's able to recover mentally and continue to do great things.

Featherweight goat putting it all out there for the world to see, huge respect 🫡🤴

Volk still one of my favorite fighters! He’s the man

volk showing up to the presser shows character unlike izzy

I love him, he is emotional

much respect for Volk, great fighter great dude, upwards and inwards mate, chin up and carry on, all the best to ya.

I will be honest i did not see this post fight uptill now and seeing how much he is affected after the loss i would want to see him healthy and still reign featherweight division like he was. He is accepting defeat like a class

Hard to see Volk sad

Respect for the journalist for bringing up volk’s state of mind in not wanting to be in camp. Good work and discussion. Positive.

Your the man Volk! Legit legend in this sport. Keep grinding and enjoy that pay check!

Damn man I feel for Volk Hopefully another 2 defense and the man can go rest Sounds like there is some mental issues pf when to give up the gloves Reminds me of zlatan

Man…I feel so much for Volk

Gotta feel for volk here, a true *Champion* ! Fantastic performance from Islam. Hard to hear him struggle like this! Volk is the Gold Standard!

Win lose or draw this man will continue to inspire all humans young and old ✊ AV

big ups Volk boss keep the head up champ

Volk needs to get rid of that PRIME chain and hell be able to recover. Izzy and him both struggling after interacting with Logan Paul lmao. Not surprised

God I wish they gave VOLK the respect by giving him a full camp for someone as incredible as Islam. This is legacy defining so fighters deserve more, especially the legends!

The one thing about dealing with Mental struggles or whatever you want to call it is the fact that you can be 100% fine and then one day something happens and you can go down a dark path that you thought you would never go down before. That's why when you have fools who try and tell you to MAN UP or that you are weak for showing any type of emotion, those be the same type of people that are actually dealing with Mental problems but just are too afraid to show it. I'm in my 30's and my whole life I've had an amazing live, amazing family and not once ever thought about suicide, until last year back in April 2022, it felt like all of a sudden my life was going down in flames, well that what the dumb ass voice in the back of my head was telling me and then one day I looked at the mirror in my bathroom and I just said out loud, I understand now why people choose the option to end things because at that time it just feels like the EASY route to go. Let me just end my life so I don't have to deal with the pain of all the other bs. I never thought about ending my life but at that point I understood why people took that route when I used to call those who did that, selfish. Your Mind can be your worse enemy and it can be a hard battle fighting with yourself, trying to tell yourself that everything is ok, while dealing with another voice in your head telling you that it's NOT ok. I'm glad Volk actually shared some of the pain that he's going through and i'm also glad that he almost cried because it shows that even one of the BADDEST man on the planet can cry too and that's ok. I hope people in his camp, actually take time to sit with him and have a long talk with him about taking off a few months and then he can come back. There is ZERO reasons why he should be fighting in Jan especially after that head kick, he need to give his Brain and body time to heal up and then he can come fight back in like April-May time frame. Also he does good being on some of those UFC shows so maybe he can do those shows to kill some time while training from time to time. I hope he just takes the holidays off with his family & friends and then can have a reset going into next year to defend his 145 championship belt.

WE LOVE YOU VOLK.

Still one of the greatest! This wouldve been like if Anderson moved up to fight Jones during his prime. Very high risk and well always respect volk for taking absolute killers

Volk needs to talk to a sports psychologist, especially if he feels the need to stay busy. It's not a good space to be in, and those are red flags that deeper issues may be surfacing, which he should address. Nothing good will become of it left alone.

He got caught. It happens. Fact is he stepped up to the champion of a weight class above his own to fight someone that should actually fight at welterweight .and did so on short notice. He a bad ass.

God bless you Volk. Still my favorite.

A humble warrior !

volk is a super hard man! I respect him to the fullest

You are still the legend

Massive respect biggest ball in the game

This only makes me like Volk more. To see someone this strong still be human

man what a mentality 🙏 class act

Phenomenal fighter, class act, he will be back.

he made big mistake trying to out grapple islam and got his body hurt then islam kicked his head off. Smh volk has heart

I supported Islam but you have to respect Alex he is a true champion even in defeat he shows respect he is 100%

Still the man.. respect Volk 🫡

Much respect to Mr. Volkanovski. 💪✌️

There’s that 30 hour power

A true stand up man. I'm respect him. I was rooting for Islam but this dude is real

volk you are the man

Pray for this man y'all 🙏💯

Love you Volk!!! You are the champion and we are proud of you. Congratz to the champion of 155, islam!! You proved us all wrong brother. Celebrate and be proud. Love to both champs!!!

I still want to see volk do this with a full camp I’m down for 3 just because of how close 1 was

He is true man this guy is amazing

Call me crazy, but he could make 135 if he wants another belt. Probably could only ever do it once, but if its for a belt then it would be worth it. He has the same size and frame as Frankie Edgar.

thing about when you dedicate your whole life to one thing...and even if you become one of the best...you can still feel inadequate in all the other areas of your life that you lack because you sacrificed those in order to specialise in one thing...volk was just about to quit MMA before being picked up by the ufc you know...being so specialised in your path in life and not feeling like a well rounded human being ( even if you are one of the best in the word ) is what can mess with your head...its literally like a double edged sword you know...when you dedicate so much to one thing and see how good you are...it can actually be a painful reminder of the life you didnt live...just saying...and meanwhile the "normies" just think how great it must be to be as good as volk...volk is a extra strong athlete that took advantage of that fact and when you KNOW you actually are far above average it is a huge mental boosting cycle of self affirmation !

Risks are good, and Alex took one. Still is the featherweight goat if he is in the division. No loss, just a loss to a potential better Khabib with striking in a higher weight class. No problem.

Heads up Volk, I am a huge fan! Like Islam said you’re a tough opponent! Continue to prove people wrong! Peace’s and blessings bro.

Volk u are still a beast and a champ

May Allah give u peace safe

I've Become a fan Of Volk. He's reaching out for help. Go Champ!

I'm a huge Islam fan but seeing Volk lose like that was heartbreaking for me I felt so bad I love the guy

Short king but shorter notice. Big round sturdy balls but even bigger heart. He may need to figure out this "staying busy" thing, seemed kind of strange

Props to Volk

Other fighters who lost handled defeat well too but the comments weren't so wholesome as they are with Volk. Interesting.

Volk is a one of the best fighters of all time…. Keep your head up champ…..

Nothing but respect for volk I had Islam this fight but both of em will forever be 🐐

We shouldn't be mistaking stupidity for bravery

I really like this guy!!!!

Volkansaki and Hamza still pound to pound

Dear Volkman, as a fan of Habib and brother islam i can declare that you are a verified G. No cap

I lost money on Volk the last 2 fights.. It's GAMBLING for a reason. I put my money on him because he is an animal. Him opening up on Full Send Podcast about the mental battle and needing to accept this fight, I knew he was struggling and it was probably rushed, but THE GREAT always gives us a show. He will be back! Keep in mind this is a CHAMPION!

Talk the big talk before the fight and got a career ending knockout!

Warrior bless him he looked concussed, he will need time off !

Love you Volk. We will get you back there

Fighters should start fighting at there normal weight no more, cutting weight.

True champion

Volk is The man give u props

You've gained a fan in me from your fights with Max and these 2 loses Champ!

sucks seeing short notice fighters getting KO'd

He’ll be back

Short note! Khabib set a fight to face Gaethje but his dad passed away he did not change the fight date he fought and won!

Sounds a bit concussed. Hope you good champ!

Excuses, excuses, excuses. Usman came out and performed on 11 days and hasn't said a word about it.

Not taking nothing from islam but volk is an absolute stud, lionheart,still one of the best to ever do it

This is what happens when you cut that amount of weight in 11 days notice it takes away your ability to take a punch or a kick cuz that was a kid that he could have recovered from if he hadn't been completely dehydrated from cutting weight

Respect Volk, Warror 101

This is why you dont sign with prime. look what happened to izzy and volk

Volk would’ve been cocky if he would’ve won