Alexander Volkanovski has reminded of a remarkable moment when he managed to get through a choke who certainly seemed to put him asleep.
On Saturday evening, on UFC 313, in the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, US, 'The Great' will wage war with Diego Lopes for the featherweight throne.
In a crazy journey, Volkanovski went from a rugby league star to an MMA legend. And now he will try to write the next chapter of his wonderful story.
So far, his book has many a crazy story, but there is in particular one anecdote that stands out of the peloton.
Wow: Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes call the same opponent for their first defending defense
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Alexander Volkanovski was almost choked by Brian Ortega
On UFC 266, on September 25, 2021, Alexander Volkanovski defended his 145-pound throne against Brian Ortega.
The fight caused an exciting watch, where the Australian used his superior skills on the feet to get the striking fairs better.
In the third round, however, the disaster hit, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt dropped the champion and quickly hit a tight guillotine.
It became clear that Volkanovski was in serious problems, whereby the legend was somehow aware of staying aware at a time when the UFC history has gone history.
In an interview with Impaulive, the MMA star remembered: “I had something like:” Oh F -, I'm in the choke, “and then I do what I have to do, push his hips. I tried to change the mechanics, to give me the oxygen, and it didn't work.
“Then I'm just like:” Well, I'm going to try it. ” I was thinking there and then the lights started to dim. It was like a movie.
“At a certain moment I thought:” There is no F – way in which he takes this belt away from my family. ”
“It was that his arms would go out, or I die. Then I just felt that he was getting a little weaker. He clearly started to gasify, and then the lights began to come back and we came out.
“I just remember immediately, most people would say,” Oh F – give me a second “but I have something like:” I'm going to get up and make you in the F – Head, so difficult “.”
Although Volkanovski had survived, he was not out of the forest, because Ortega still had a few tricks in his sleeve and the entry almost secured via Triangle.
In a proof of his unparalleled Vechtgeest, the Aussie again navigated its way through the adversity, on the way to winning a unanimous decision.
Alexander Volkanovski Kickstarted Legendary Run with brutal Ko
In addition to Ortega, Volkanovski has defeated a range of legends, with Jose Aldo and Max Holloway.
But before he came out the victory against the big ones, he first had to beat a man who had challenged in front of the crown.
At UFC 232, the valued athlete toe went to toe with a dangerous competitor, knowing that a victory could bend him to larger things.
In a victory that announced him to the world, Volkanovski defeated an icon in an incredible fight.