The Joe Rogan ExperienceJRE MMA Show #93 with Alexander Volkanovski
CHAPTERS
- 0:00 – 0:38
Volkanovski adjusts to life as UFC champ (Australia fame & media obligations)
Joe welcomes Alexander Volkanovski and asks whether being champion has fully sunk in. Volkanovski explains how he stays grounded at home as a dad, while also navigating increased recognition and media demands in Australia.
- 0:38 – 2:00
Wollongong roots, Vegas celebration, and Rogan’s hydration rabbit hole
They talk about Volkanovski’s hometown of Wollongong (“The Gong”), his low-key lifestyle, and how Vegas hit him hard during the recent trip. Joe pivots into hydration talk, pushing electrolytes and “Liquid IV,” plus coffee and supplements at the desk.
- 2:00 – 3:17
Winning the belt by dethroning Max Holloway: underdog mindset and rapid UFC rise
Joe frames the title win as especially meaningful because it came against the consensus featherweight GOAT in his prime. Volkanovski describes embracing the underdog role and explains how strategic callouts (Mendes, then Aldo) accelerated his path to a title shot.
- 3:17 – 5:24
Why City Kickboxing works: camp structure, travel to NZ, and training with diverse styles
Rogan asks what’s happening at City Kickboxing and why so many elite fighters are emerging from that team. Volkanovski explains he’s based in Wollongong but flies to Auckland for camp, describing how varied training partners and styles prevent surprises on fight night.
- 5:24 – 6:36
From rugby league and a heavy frame to MMA: early training and the 214-lb origin story
Volkanovski recounts starting MMA to stay fit during rugby league, when he was much heavier. Joe and Alex joke about the Australian accent and weight numbers, while he details how quickly he fell in love with training.
- 6:36 – 16:39
Hidden wrestling pedigree and the switch from team sport to individual accountability
Volkanovski reveals he wrestled briefly as a kid and won Australian titles despite limited time in the sport. He explains why MMA appealed more than rugby: you can’t blame teammates, and the outcome reflects your own preparation.
- 16:39 – 18:43
Early career lessons: first loss, grappling focus, and dropping from welterweight
They discuss Volkanovski’s early record, his first loss in a tournament at a weight class he shouldn’t have been in, and the corrective pivot to grappling. He explains how that loss forced improvements—jiu-jitsu focus, dieting, and long-term weight-class realism.
- 18:43 – 24:15
Injuries, weight cuts, and staph/MRSA: the dark side of extreme dieting
Volkanovski talks about breaking his hand in the Max fight and how he kept training around it. He then details the brutal early weight-loss methods—eating almost nothing—leading to frequent staph infections, MRSA, and even hospitalization after the Aldo fight due to cellulitis.
- 24:15 – 30:45
Travel, New Zealand scenery, and a deep dive into fishing and spearfishing
The conversation drifts into New Zealand’s landscape and fishing culture, including trout ‘mice season’ lore. Volkanovski describes his own love for spearfishing, the fear factor of open ocean diving, and the athletic demands of breath-holding underwater.
- 30:45 – 33:39
Hunting stories and Australia’s dangerous wildlife: crocs, buffalo, and survival banter
Rogan and Volkanovski swap hunting perspectives, including Adam Greentree’s Australia hunts and crocodile-heavy territory. Volkanovski gives Rogan a kangaroo-leather hat, and they watch/describe videos of crocodiles and discuss how having kids changes risk tolerance.
- 33:39 – 38:38
What’s next at featherweight: Max rematch, contenders, and the Ortega/Jay Park incident
Rogan asks about Volkanovski’s next defense and the likely Max Holloway rematch, including the state of Volkanovski’s hand and potential timing. They also discuss division contenders and the controversy around Brian Ortega slapping Jay Park, debating professionalism and matchmaking incentives.
- 38:38 – 42:21
Breaking down the Holloway win: leg kicks, rhythm disruption, and in-fight adjustments
Volkanovski explains the strategy that worked against Holloway—leg kicks as a rhythm breaker more than just damage. They discuss Max’s stance switches, the chess match of counters, and why Volkanovski’s cross-style training helps him adapt in real time.
- 42:21 – 1:05:02
City Kickboxing culture and Izzy vs Romero: why some ‘boring’ fights are strategic
They praise City Kickboxing’s depth and supportive gym environment, noting even hobbyists can be elite. Volkanovski defends Adesanya’s tactical choices against Romero, explaining why low-exchange fights can be forced by style matchups and the danger of over-committing against explosive counter punchers.
- 1:05:02 – 1:19:13
Invasive species chaos: feral cats, cane toads, and ecosystem mistakes
The discussion pivots to Australia’s invasive species problems—feral cats killing massive numbers of native animals and government eradication tactics. They also explore the cane toad disaster, how it failed to solve the beetle problem, and how ecosystems can collapse through misguided interventions.
- 1:19:13 – 1:27:30
Modern nutrition and weight cutting: meal plans, water manipulation, and training volume
Volkanovski details how hiring a dietician transformed his camp—better energy, healthier cuts, and more food rather than starvation. He explains his typical cut size, rapid rehydration, and the sheer workload of multi-session training days that demands precise fueling.
- 1:27:30 – 1:43:41
Strength & conditioning to fix back issues: glute activation, mobility, and recovery tech
Volkanovski describes battling bulging discs and sciatica to the point of nearly quitting, then solving it with tailored strength programming and better biomechanics. Rogan recommends decompression tools (Teeter DEX, Reverse Hyper), and they discuss mobility routines, HRV tracking, and smarter, technical sparring philosophies to preserve longevity.
