Alex Volkanovski's transformation from 214lb rugby player to UFC champion

Alex Volkanovski is the UFC featherweight champion. He fights The Korean Zombie at UFC 273 tonight. Volkanski used to be a rugby league player weighing 214 pounds. He is unbeaten in the promotion and is ranked No.3 in pound-for-pound.

Alex Volkanovski is a UFC champion. He used to play rugby league for Warilla Gorillas and was a front-rower in their 2011 Premiership title win. Volkanski used the nickname 'Alexander the Great' for his fighting career. He started training in MMA at 214lbs when he was playing rugby.

Alex Volkanovski quit rugby league and turned to MMA. He lost 30 pounds and became a UFC champion. He won titles in the promotions Cage Conquest and Roshambo. His only loss came in Australian promotion AFC. The UFC came knocking in 2016. It was Volkanski's last year playing rugby.

Alex Volkanovski is a UFC champion. He moved to New Zealand to train with Eugene Bareman at City Kickboxing gym. Baremann is Volkanski's head coach. He won his third UFC fight against Shane Young. Volcanovki won fights against featherweight legends Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo.

Max Holloway was on a 14-fight unbeaten run at 145-pounds. Max Hollowy was the first UFC champion. Volkanovski won the title after less than a decade of MMA training. He has since defended his belt twice, edging past Holloways again in a rematch and fending off grappler Brian Ortega last September. Zombie is challenging for a UFC title for the the third time at UFC 273 this Saturday.