Welcome to the inaugural edition of Fox Sports Australia’s combat sports column Fighting Words, where we give you all the latest news and views in MMA and boxing, from Australia and abroad.
Alexander Volkanovski has revealed the real reason he is eyeing off a KO finish against Brazilian Diego Lopes this Sunday – a $200,000 farm toy.
The revelation comes as two UFC welterweights have squared off inside the UFC fighter hotel this week, with one hyped prospect accusing the other of “s****ing his pants”.
Elsewhere, in Fox Sports Australia’s new combat sports column FIGHTING WORDS, we look at the incredible generosity of Diego Lopes, the surprise betting trend against Volk, and why Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is throwing his heavyweight support at Sunday’s UFC 325 card.
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 | SUN 1 FEB 1PM AEDT | For the first time in his storied career, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his championship in his home city of Sydney, in a rematch with Brazil’s Diego Lopes. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
VOLK NEEDS NEW UFC BONUS … FOR $200K ‘TOY’
Alexander Volkanovski has revealed the real reason he is eyeing off a KO finish against Brazilian Diego Lopes this Sunday – a $200,000 bobcat.
On the eve of Sunday’s hyped UFC 325 blockbuster, Volk has declared himself extremely keen to go after the increased UFC performance bonuses announced only this past week by Dana White.
Under the new $7.7 billion Paramount broadcasting deal, all bonuses for either Performance Of The Night or Fight of The Night have been doubled to US$100,000.
Elsewhere, all other athletes who earn a finish will also receive an additional US$25,000.
When the Aussie exchange rate is considered, that equates to $143,000 and $36,000 respectively.
Which will go some way to getting Volk his digger.
“I really need to buy the bobcat, too,” the champ told us with a laugh this week. “And for what’s required on the farm, it’s going to cost me a couple of hundred grand.
“Because you’ve not only got the bobcat itself, but there are also a heap of parts we need for it as well.”
According to property reports, Volkanovski purchased his 50-acre farm two years ago for $4.25 million.
Apart from boasting a sprawling four-bedroom home with spectacular views to the ocean, his new digs also include a gym, full man cave and bar, spa room, pool room, rumpus room and five-car garage with a workshop.
Outside there is also a solar heated pool and machinery shed — which will be perfect for the new bobcat.
There is also a second three-bedroom home adjacent, where Volkanovski’s father Tony now lives, and a bunkhouse down in a back paddock which sleeps nine.
Quizzed on being able to provide for his extended clan — especially after having started out his fight career while living with his young family in a spare room at mum’s place — and the UFC featherweight champ said he was blessed.
“It’s incredible,“ he said.
“Because even for my dad, owning a property like we have now has always been his dream too.
“And now, how we are.
‘I could fit another six fights in!’ | 01:33
“We’re living the lifestyle we’ve always dreamed of.
“And like you said, there was a time where we were all living at mum’s place while I was still chasing the dream.
“That’s why I’ll always give back.
“Mum doesn’t live on the farm with us, [laughs] but she does love a holiday. And now I can help out with that, treat her to some business flights, some nice hotels, allow her to go see all these new places too.”
‘HE WAS S****ING HIS PANTS’: UFC FIGHTERS CLASH IN HOTEL STOUSH
He’s been dubbed ‘The Welsh Gangster’ – and hyped UFC welterweight Oban Elliott is playing the part after a heated fight week confrontation where, he insists, his Australian rival was left “s****ing his pants”.
Elliott has also accused Melbourne prospect Jono Micallef of talking “f***ing nonsense” – and branding him a ‘plastic gangster’ – which apparently led to the hotel confrontation over which accounts vary greatly.
Long regarded as something of a UFC Next Big Thing, 28-year-old Elliott throws down against Micallef in what suddenly shapes as the biggest bad blood fight on this Sunday’s UFC 325 blockbuster.
Back in September last year, the pair were due to fight on the undercard of a UFC Fight Night event in Perth – only for Elliott, having flown halfway across the world for the opportunity, to be ruled out late with pneumonia.
And the UK slugger says Micallef’s response to that withdrawal has not only fuelled his decision to return Down Under five months later, but now has the UK fighter ready to “f***ing drill him”.
Explaining the drama this week, Elliott said: “When I was forced out of the fight in Perth, Micallef went and called me ‘Plastic Gangster’.
“Because the silly c***, he thought he was out of the woods.
“He even went and started calling out other boys like Jeremiah Wells.
“But Micallef, look who’s f***ing back.
“It’s like I’ve been in jail and Sunday is my release date.
“Because even in Perth, I was ready to fight.
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“If the doctor hadn’t called it off, if I was ready to make weight and fight the c***.
“And I would’ve smashed him then.
“But now he’s got me in the best possible shape too.”
Asked at Wednesday’s media day if the pair had crossed paths this week, and Micallef grinned: “Every time I’ve seen him he’s been quiet.
“We shook hands in Perth but this time he’s been quiet. Although even if you are loud before a fight, I’m going to punch you head in.”
But as for the Welsh Gangster’s take?
“I’ve just seen him now and he was f***ing s*** his pants,” he said this week.
“I turned around and there he was.
BSD predicts fireworks vs Dan Hooker | 04:28
“So I said ‘how you going kid?’. He was bah-bah-bah.
“It was the same in Perth when I saw him in the lobby and he said nothing.
“Then next day, he asked for an apology and I told him to stick it up his arse.
“I told him ‘of all the people I’m going to be scared of, do you think it’s you?’ What the f*** are you talking about.
“I couldn’t even fly home for a week because my lungs were so f***ed.
“But now I’m back, and I cannot wait to f***ing drill him.”
THE ROCK BACKS AUSSIE KNOCKOUT ARTIST
Junior Tafa has revealed Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson is such an avid supporter of his famed fighting family, he once sent the brothers a huge stockpile of signature Under Armour gear.
Signed to the UFC in only his fifth professional fight, 29-year-old Tafa is looking to kickstart what has long been considered a promising Octagon career when he throws down against American Billy Elekana.
While older brother Justin is no longer fighting in the UFC heavyweight division, he will also be in Junior’s corner on fight night as the slugger who once boxed on a Paul Gallen undercard looks to “earn a knockout and take that bonus”.
Quizzed on whispers of The Rock gifting his family gear, Tafa said: “It was when we were fighting in Los Angeles, in Anaheim I think, and The Rock sent us this huge package.
“We’ve always just been these young Samoan brothers who grew up in Housing Commission, and I feel like he relates to that, and therefore has always been a fan of ours.
“He’ll sometimes comment on our stuff on socials, share it.
“I remember initially, Justin had tweeted about honouring our grandparents with the gifts that we have been given, and that’s when he responded.
“You have to remember Samoa is small country, so when you another Samoan, wherever you are, it’s always ‘brother, how are you? Let’s have some lunch’.
“And I think it’s cool that he still has those traits too.”
DIEGO LOPES FUNDS HOLIDAYS FOR 10
Geez, it’s hard to dislike Brazilian Diego Lopes.
Apart from being the latest contender to Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC featherweight crown, the 31-year-old is also something of a philanthropist and has even started a jujitsu academy for underprivileged children in his adopted home of Puebla, Mexico.
Unknown to everyone outside a handful of UFC executives, Lopes has also paid for 10 members of his gym – including a couple of younger athletes — to travel Down Under to spend the past fortnight with him in Sydney.
Lopes has paid for flights, accommodation, even expenses, and while also funding three more fighters back in Mexico as they ready for their own upcoming fights – again sorting flights, hotels, and other fight week expenses.
‘Never been able to do this at home!’ | 03:55
Then there are the two young US wrestlers who, having never flown before, Lopes has also taken with him for camps in Mexico, Las Vegas and now here in Sydney.
“I feel so grateful with the life I have,” he said. “When I started out I had some support from people, but it wasn’t enough. So now I get to be that person for others.”
Thankfully for Volkanovski, he has never needed to dislike his rivals leading into fights anyway.
“Because this is a sport for me,” the Aussie stressed this week. “When I’m in the cage it isn’t so much about me thinking ‘OK, how do I hurt this guy’ as simply wanting to find a way to win.
“Yes, I want a knockout. But not so much to knock the guy out as to get myself a nice, quick finish that will then cause the arena to blow up.
“I’ve got a job to do and my opponent is just that guy who is in the way.”
MONEY COMING FOR LOPES KO
Unsurprisingly, Sportsbet reports that 60 per cent of all money coming so far for UFC 325 is on $1.63 favourite Volkanovski. However, there are also those punters who see of value on a Diego Lopes KO/TKO – with the $4.25 option easily best backed for the challenger.
“First fight, Volk was completely different to what I expected,” Lopes said this week. “But now I know this and I am prepared for him.
“Having shared the Octagon for 25 minutes, whatever he presents now will not be new.
“Also in the first fight I forgot to enjoy the moment. It was my first time fighting five rounds, first time fighting for the belt, and while I never talked about this in fight week there was a lot of pressure.
“I thought ‘I have power, I’ll knock him out’.
Volk responds to ‘tough’ Arman challenge | 00:54
“I only thought about one thing.
“This time around though, I’m relaxed.
“He’s felt my power, my energy, so maybe he will try more pressure this time.
“But when he feels it isn’t working for him he will go back to the same game plan.”
AUSSIE MANAGER WENT FOR AN ICE CREAM, MADE MILLIONS
Alexander Volkanovski isn’t the only man looking to create a milestone moment this Sunday, with longtime manager Ash Belcastro also boasting a staggering six clients fighting on the Sydney card.
The achievement is a huge one for the Sydney agent, who initially met Volkanovski outside a 7/11 in Thailand – while the pair were both in country training as fighters.
Since that inauspicious first meeting – “where I was only looking to buy an ice cream,” Belcastro laughs – the pair have since built up a Volkanovski fight empire that now includes a host of sponsors, merchandise, a pumping YouTube channel and the hugely popular ‘Cooking with Volk’ show.
Elsewhere, Volkanovski also boasts partial ownership of several companies including sportswear brand Engage – which Belcastro founded – plus Combat Protein Supplements and the Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA camp in Thailand.
Then in October, Volkanovski will also make his big screen debut in Streetfighter, where he has a speaking role as a character named ‘Joe’.
Classic Dan Hooker SOUNDS OFF on BSD | 05:03
Starting out as a sports agent 10 years ago, Belcastro’s UFC client list now includes Volkanovski, Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France, Carlos Ulberg, Mauricio Ruffy, Cam Rowston, Navajo Stirling and Brando Pericic.
Elsewhere, he also manages hyped prospects Aaron Tau and Lawrence Lui, plus boxer Jazzy Parr, the daughter of Australian combat legend John-Wayne Parr.
As part of his company AP Sports Management, Belcastro also works in tandem with City Kickboxing boss Eugene Bareman and co-manages Adesanya with Tim Simpson – a fellow Aussie agent whose own stable includes the likes of Max Holloway, Leon Edwards, Jiri Prochazka and Josh Della Maddalena.
Incredibly, Belcastro started Engage “on a whim” in 2016, and after buying 100 T-shirts and tank tops for a couple of bucks each in Thailand, which he then got printed with Engage on the front – and with a picture of a fist.
These days however, the company responsible for apparel, fight wear and fight gear is in some 50 Universal stores nation-wide, as well as having picked up distribution across Europe and the UK.
“We’re also 100% up year-on-year for the past two years,” Belcastro said. “One of those overnight success stories that are 10 years in the making.”
PADDY THE BADDY BREAKS SILENCE
Paddy Pimblett has urged Justin Gaethje to “go get that undisputed title, you deserve it” following their bloody UFC 324 slobberknocker last Sunday.
Speaking for the first time after his shock decision loss, Pimblett said via an Instagram statement: “Hope everyone enjoyed my fight just as much as I did.
Gaethje v Pimblett UFC highlights | 02:51
“Want to thank everyone that came to support and everyone watching at home. I’m all good, no injuries, went into the fight feeling amazing had a great camp and an easy weight cut.
“No excuses the better man won on the night. Justin Gaethje, congratulations brother it was an honour to share the cage with such a legend. Go get that undisputed title, your career deserves it.
“Hopefully we can run it back for the undisputed because I still know it’s in my destiny to win that gold! UFC thank you for the opportunity. You’s all know I’ll be back for that belt in the near future.”
TALKED S*** ABOUT CONOR: SHOCK MEDIA DAY CLAIM
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker lit something of a UFC media day fuse this week when he accused Paddy Pimblett of once refusing to leave his own house to face up with an irate Conor McGregor.
Having already engaged in more than a little verbal tongue fu with the Englishman recently, Hooker wasted no time in sticking it to Paddy the Baddy again when asked, saying: “This guy talks s*** then he goes into victim mode.
“Like is it common knowledge that he talked s*** about Conor McGregor and then McGregor drove around to his house?
“He drove around to his house and sat outside in his car calling the bloke. And Paddy refused to come outside. That tells you all you need to know about a guy.”
After the clip quickly went viral, several fans took to social media suggesting Hooker’s retelling of the story was wrong, and that ‘Notorious’ had actually been trying to meet up with Paddy when knocking on the door of a house he believed was his following days of partying in Liverpool years back.
There is also video of Pimblett responding at the time to the rumour, saying while he wasn’t sure why McGregor was chasing him down he must’ve had the wrong house as his CCTV cameras had shown nothing of the incident.
Regardless, Hooker also branded Pimblett’s efforts against Justin Gathje last Sunday, when he was upset for the interim UFC lightweight title, as “dogs***”
“He talks an awful lot of s*** for someone who fights like that,” Hooker added.
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