3 minute read
Wollongong fighter Alex Volkanovski has recovered from coronavirus to take on American Brian Ortega as he defends his UFC featherweight crown.
He may have been floored by COVID-19 but Australian UFC star Alex Volkanovski says Brian Ortega is no chance to taking him down in their UFC featherweight title this Sunday.
Volkanovski's clash with top contender Ortega had to be rescheduled from March after the Wollongong fighter contracted the virus.
Back in Las Vegas ahead of UFC 266, Volkanovski says he's fighting fit as he guns for his 19th successive victory, including 10 straight in the UFC, which puts him in elite company.
"I'm all good now; it was a process, easing back into training because it hit the lungs pretty hard," Volkanovski told The MMA Hour on Tuesday.
"It took probably six weeks until I was training at 100 per cent."
Arriving last Saturday, he is spending minimal time in the USA in a strict bubble this trip to try to avoid illness again.
The 32-year-old said there was no love lost between himself and Ortega after spending time as coaches on the latest season of "The Ultimate Fighter".
After some fireworks between the pair on the show, Volkanovski described the American, whose record is 15-1 MMA and 7-1 UFC, as a fake.
"He showed me a different side - he puts on a front," Volkanovski said.
"He wants to act like this real caring type of guy but that's not what I see, I see a sensitive, spoiled brat.
"He's acting like we're all good but I can guarantee he does not like me - he's telling all his friends I'm a piece of s*** - he's a weird bloke and I don't get him."
Volkanovski beat Hawaiian Max Holloway in December 2019 to take the featherweight world title and successfully defended it in a rematch in July last year.
It was a contentious split-points win on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, with UFC boss Dana White riling the Australian by questioning the decision.
Volkanovski said he solely focused on Ortega but wasn't fazed about third meeting with Holloway.
"Ortega is the number one contender right now so I'm going to take him out and then whoever is next in line," he said.
