UFC featherweight champion Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski’s recent interaction with NFL legend Tom Brady has drilled home key learnings to the Aussie.
The 35-year-old UFC superstar was front and centre in the crowd as a special guest in a recent Australian speaking tour Tom Brady held in Melbourne.
WATCH THE VIDEO: Volkanovski’s key learnings from Tom Brady chat
Stream ONE Fight Night, ONE Friday Fights events and get access to highlights and ONE’s library archive of more than 100 past events for free on 7plus >>
There, the seven-time Super Bowl champion made a flattering comparison between his and Volkanovski’s accomplishments.
“We did have a little chat. I’ve obviously got these title belts and rubies (that mark my defences),” the 35-year-old told 7NEWS.com.au.
“(But I said) ‘it was nothing like having to play a whole season, getting to the Super Bowl and winning’.
“I’m lucky enough where I just need to win a Grand Final (title fight) every time.
“But he was like, ‘You’ve got everybody that’s got their eye and you, everybody chasing you’.
Before the one-on-one chat, the beloved UFC star sat in the crowd and listened intently to the amazing inspirational stories from the NFL great, soaking in the important lessons.
“It always good to share a conversation or even just the presence of an absolute legend like Tom Brady, it was incredible.
“It just shows you how the greats process things or how they, you know, their mindset and their mentality. I love seeing that stuff.”
Both being of elite calibre in their own respective sports, the Wollongong father of three said he saw clear similarities with his own life.
“I can obviously relate a lot to that, because at the end of the day, we always hold ourselves accountable,” the featherweight champion said.
“There were things that he touched on (during the event) that I could be like, yeah, that’s what a great champion is all about.
“That’s what separates the goats, I could definitely relate to that, I’ve definitely seen a lot of those values in myself.”
‘Playing the part beautifully’
This weekend at UFC 298 in Anaheim, USA, Alexander Volkanovski (26-3) will attempt to continue his championship rein and show the world why he is one of the greatest featherweights to ever grace The Octagon.
In his way of that dream is a surging undefeated Spanish superstar Ilia Topuria (14-0), who has not lacked confidence leading into this highly anticipated fight.
Confidence the champ says is misplaced, but exceptionally helpful.
“Whether he is that confident or not, he’s playing the part beautifully, which I like,” Volkanovski said.
“I’m like ‘cheers mate, you are hyping up the fight and getting people excited.
“If it is real confidence and cockiness, then I’m going to do the man a favour by and humbling him, and you know he’ll be better off after.”
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
