Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
"My suspicion is, somehow you lasted long enough where he got tired. Mm-hmm. Is that right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's pretty much it." — Alexander Volkanovski (referring to his escape from a submission hold)
"The bubbler. Yeah, yeah, yeah. What emoji looks like the bubbler? What can we just sprinkle? The sprinkle? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Just go flood his fucking Instagram with those sprinkle emojis." — Flagrant 2 Host (initiating a humorous call to action regarding a specific anecdote)
"He's the only other champion that I haven't beat. So, you know, beat Aldo. Max Holloway. And Connor's the only other champion in my division. And I've been saying, I want all the legends of my division. All the top guys in my division won't take him all out." — Alexander Volkanovski (expressing his ambition to face all divisional champions)
The episode centers on UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski, who shares his perspective on his career trajectory and future aspirations. Volkanovski articulates a strong desire to face and defeat all the legendary fighters in his division, with a particular emphasis on a potential high-profile bout against Conor McGregor. He discusses the strategic implications of such a fight, including weight class considerations and the legacy it would cement. The conversation also delves into the less formal aspects of fighter culture, touching upon the origin and nature of "Mad Mondays," a tradition involving significant revelry and unique personal anecdotes.
Throughout the discussion, Volkanovski provides insights into his fighting style, his resilience in overcoming adversity during fights, and the mental fortitude required to succeed at the highest level. He recounts specific fight moments, such as escaping a dangerous submission, attributing his survival to persistence and the opponent's eventual fatigue. The hosts engage with Volkanovski, sharing their own humorous takes and prompting further discussion on various fighter habits and traditions, including peculiar celebrations and the dynamics between coaches and fighters.
The latter part of the episode explores dream matchups and the evolution of the UFC landscape, with Volkanovski expressing continued interest in rematches with top contenders like Max Holloway and potentially Colby Covington, emphasizing his willingness to move up in weight classes to face formidable opponents. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted exchange about food preferences and a toast to Volkanovski's achievements, underscoring the camaraderie and respect within the sports community.