The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Daniel Cormier TV - Alexander Volkanovski on Diego Lopes, Topuria vacating title, Islam KO

Episode Date: April 10, 2025

Alexander Volkanovski IS BACK with Daniel Cormier for another new edition of the DC Check-In, this time from UFC 314 PPV week in Miami, Florida. Volk talks about getting knocked out by Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev, and why he's ready to beat young UFC superstar Diego Lopes and take the championship belt back. Volkanovski also dives into Ilia vacating his belt to move to 155, and breaks down a fight he says WILL HAPPEN between Topuria and Makhachev. And don't miss him and DC talk about an upcoming episode of Cooking with Volk in the near future! #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Because I message you. I have messaged you so many times asking the cook because I went to Australia. you. What are you messaging me on? I'm messaging. Well, first off, I message your number from the UFC thing that we were all on a group message when you did the way in show. No respond. First off, I got green bubbles. First of all, I got green bubbles. So he must have me blocked. He must have me blocked me immediately once he realized I had his number. And then I messaged him on Instagram. I don't believe it. Let's get my check right now. No, you don't need to. You don't need to. I knew it. Huh? I knew it. No, I have.

It's like, we're supposed to cook. We were, because I remember we said, I would try and tear up a day. So I didn't, like, we're going to try to. It didn't happen. But I didn't get messages. I constantly message you, man. Say, I weren't able to say, like, I cooked with Alexander Volcanowski. We are going to do it.

It will happen. Well, if it didn't happen in Australia, but I'm starting to lose faith very quick. I'm like, it's like literally believing in Santa Claus, and then your mom and dad never getting you shit. It's like, what you do to me? I'm not. I'm telling you, yeah. You promise.

We'll make it happen. All right, man. Guys, I'll do it even follow. I've been cooking for everyone at the house and everything than anyone. I'm holding them to this. That's what trouble going to have, you know. Alexander, I'll cut light. I'll still cook your feet.

Alexander I, Great Volcanowski checking in with me. Again, as always, on Fight Week. How's it feel, man? Back here, just honestly, it has to, it's a comfortable position, right? So few get to live in this place that you have lived in so long that I was fortunate enough to live in, where every fight is a title fight. Every fight matters. How good does it feel to be back in this environment?

Because it really does wake you up, doesn't it? Yeah, yeah, definitely. I mean, it's the biggest break I've had, right? But for some reason, it just doesn't feel like that long. I don't know why it is. Maybe because I've done some of the fight weeks, you know, as a guest. I don't know what it is. It just doesn't feel like it was that long ago.

So it's cool. It feels great. I feel good. I'm like ready, just ready, like every other, every other time. time. So it's weird. So as you said, maybe it is because of so many title fights, and I've been in this position so many times that I'm just, yeah, comfortable

with it. In this time away, did you take note of the career at all? I know you're taking time to spend with the family, you're working on your skills and your abilities, but did you ever take note and go man, I know I was good, but this shit has been better than I

could have even imagined. I mean, you're fighting in your 10th straight title fight. Like not many people get to do that? Yeah, you're right. To be honest, through the break, I didn't really think of any of that too much. Really? I was able to just sort of, I guess, just focus what's in front of me, you know, like family, friends and myself.

And then, but thinking ahead, right? I guess I was just looking at what I can still add to that. Yeah. That's sort of what I've more focused on. Like, it's weird. Like, I will appreciate it. Like I know I will Especially from that time that break off

Like I was able to grow so much And really appreciate everything But I just haven't been able to focus Because I think I still know there's more to add There's more to add Then I know I think I'm going to be able to Just enjoy the whole thing overall But right now it's all about a comeback

So I guess that's sort of just Where my head's more at Myself, family, come back Then I guess I'll be able to really appreciate everything else I appreciate what it's given me Like that's what I'm appreciating like, you know, the farm, you know, position I am,

like very blessed, very, very happy where we are. But I guess I haven't really looked back at the legacy or that too much. When you do it's a great legacy, dude. Like when you look back, you're going to be like, holy shit. It's been amazing to watch, honestly. So you pulled the curtain back for us a while back. And when you pulled the curtain back talking about, I need to be doing this.

It made everybody start talking about it. about all these things about how a great champion can truly open up himself, let you guys inside to know that, man, this is me. And without this, at times, I struggle. Over the course of this last year, how have you dealt with that, right? When you couldn't, it was hard for you to deal with that for a few months. How have you dealt with that over the course of all this time that you've been away? Exactly.

So it's going to be pretty confusing, right? Because everyone's like, well, how has he done this big break? or how is he going to do it when I said I was going to have a bit of a break? He's like, wait, you struggle with this. What do you mean? But it was different. Back then, I was fully committed to my training schedule, to fighting. I had a responsibility as a champion. You know what I mean?

I had to go. So when I would wait for fights, I just, I couldn't be myself. Yeah. You know what I mean? It was very hard. It was like, what am I doing in the gym? Because I was still spending, like, I'm not at home. I'm still fully committed to training.

and then when I felt like there was no purpose, no goal or a title fight or something, I was just going through the motions. I spent more hours in the gym out of camp than I do in the camp. So that's what people don't realize. I'm doing anywhere from three to four sessions a day, out of camp. In camp, you know, we cut that down on maybe two or three.

So the intensity goes up, right? So you spend more hours, so you can imagine if you're fully committed to that and your training schedule, you're living life around the training schedule that's very busy, it doesn't leave much time for anything. And then you're all that time and commitment in that,

the training is like, you know, what am I doing here? Like, what do you know what I mean? Like, fair enough when you're trying to build yourself, but it gets to a point where I'm like, oh, I need fights and purpose. It's hard for me to, you know, you want that drive to be better, but it gets to a point where it's like,

you know, do I want to be spending so many months just working myself? Get me a fight. You don't let me have a real good. Like, you know, it's hard to explain. So that was tough, and I didn't understand it. I didn't get it. I didn't get any of that.

So I just found it very hard. But when I was able to, you know, after the losses, and I accepted the fact that I'm going to have a break. So it was a decision I made and I accepted it. And I was able to just separate and leave fighting behind for a minute and just work on myself and then live life around the training schedule, which I haven't done for 13, 14 years. I mean, I was able to grow so much and I loved it. Absolutely.

You know, a lot of people, you know, if I was explaining it and then they didn't hear what I just sort of said before this. I'd be like, well, you struggle or not fighting, you know? But it was great. I started getting to a point. I was like, am I going to want to get back to training? Yeah.

Then I'd have to have them little battles. No, no. Relax, man. Just enjoy it. When the time comes, you'll fit the switch and you'll be ready. So that's sort of where we were at. But it was great, mate.

I grew so much during that time. It was unreal. I would love it. And so you started doing more TV stuff? Yeah, so a lot more with us. YouTube. You remember you busted your ass on the, you broke your ass.

How the hell did you bring you? your ass, breakdancing on the way in show. I don't know, but I think it was a hip. Yeah, my ass, hit him and started clicking. I'm like, well, I don't think clicking's good. You got way too crazy. We're like, all right, this is not good.

It got scary because we, like, want to mess around on the show, but we don't want to hurt a fucking Alexander Volcanowski when he comes on the show. You get back healthy. You're still committed to this time away. Abu Dhabi, Iliate Tuporia, knocks out Max Holloway,

which was very surprising to me. I don't know if it was surprising to you, watching it. But then you come inside the octagon, and it seems like all systems go. It's you and Ili again. Very respectful. What was the process after that day? Because sure, he'll need time, right? He'll need time to recover, get ready to go.

But what's the process for you when you leave Abu Dhabi after watching that? Well, then I've got to clear next fight. It might not be anytime soon, but let's start flipping that switch. Yeah. So I'm flipping that switch, and I'm ready. So then I'm going through the motions purpose. You know, we're training for Elyar. Then it got to a point where a lot of people are going to,

you're probably going to ask me. He's like, you know, how was it going from Ely and then finding out of Stiego? Obviously, you want that win back. Through that process of me being like, all right, I'm chewing at the bit to get back in there now. And that was dragging on because I didn't know when he was fighting. He's talking about moving up.

So got to a point. Was that frustrating for you? Well, it was just like, I want to fight. It got to a point where I'm like, all right, like, you know, I'm not going to rush him into anything. maybe I just do an interim. Yeah. You know what I mean?

I'll just do an interim and fight him later because I don't want to wait around now because now I'm back in that mindset of let's go, you know, ready to go. So it got to a point where I was like, all right, it's your dragging on now.

I don't really care who it is. I just want to fight. And then you heard him talk about moving up and then I got told I was Diego. I didn't know it was for the vacant belt. I didn't know he was, Ili was committing to the lightweight. But at that stage I'm like,

all right, sweet, whatever. Yeah, I'm fine. So I'm okay with that. And then I found out for Dana White's Live that it was for the vacant belt and that he's committed to moving up, which called me by surprise. It's actually kind of crazy that you found that out to there. I mean, maybe they didn't know until, you know, like when they told me it was, Diago, they probably still didn't know exactly what Ilya was going to do.

Yeah, because it was a couple weeks there until I found out. But actually did the live feed. But yeah, that was a little bit surprising to me, but at that point, get me in there. Were you surprised with that? I got the next best thing, though, right? Sorry to Kate York. I got the next best thing. I wanted I wanted that win back,

and I wanted to still prove myself not only to get that win back and against Ilya, but to the younger generation, right? Yes. So the new school. I wanted to prove that to them, but I still get that, you know, in Lopez. You know, he's a young guy coming through. So I still end for the vacant belt. So it's the next best thing.

That's what I was going to say to you. You're a guy that's been at the top of the game for a long time. Look, man, sometimes things go sideways. And honestly, you fought two of the top three pounds upon guys in the world and lost fights. Is it hard to hear guys like Chale and I the other day we're talking? And it's like, is this Alexander Volcanovsky's last chance? Like, it almost feels as though you almost get pushed into a do or die, right? When it doesn't feel like in your mind, this is do or die.

Yeah, to me it doesn't. But, and I've always wanted to be the underdog. I love being the underdog, right? And I've always found ways to, even if I was favourite, look at ways of being underdog and still try and be a little bit, you know, chip on your shoulders. I know, this guy's saying this because I wanted to use that as fuel, right?

With this one, I don't need to. Like, everyone has every right to think that I'm done. Like, they're going to think that. I'm coming off two losses, big break, 36 years old. Oh, yeah, no, he's done and dusted. I'm like, hey, I'm fine with everyone thinking that. Because I get to prove my point this weekend. I get to prove it to myself,

I get to prove it to the world. I still know I'm that guy, right? I'm going to prove it this weekend, but it's weird. I don't have a chip on my shoulder now because I expect people to think that. And if they're not, all right, fair enough. And there are people that don't think that, but there are going to be a lot of people that do, and I'm okay with that. Talk to me about Diego Lopez, though.

Two years. Fights of lawyer, short notice, fights competitive, but gets beat. Goes on this win streak now. I mean, fought 1, 45, 55, and 65 all in one weekend against Dan Ege. But the fight was competitive. Call it what it is. Then he beats on Brian Ortega. And he beat Brian Ortega pretty good.

What do you make of Diego Lopez? And when you watch him as a smart guy that's seen it all, that's been in there with the best, where does he stack up to some of the guys that you've been in the octagon with? Yeah, but just dangerous, right? Like a... And I always talk about this, and I've rang it up a few times that... You know, I find it hard for people to, like, you know, beat me 25 minutes, right? Like, is someone going to go there now strategize me for 20 minutes?

I think that's going to be pretty hard. You get better as it goes long. Yeah, and just I think everyone's the best bet. He's catching me, right? And I don't mean that it's only a lucky shot. Like, obviously people can set it up and, you know, do things like that. But I feel like that's the only way I see myself losing. But then you get dangerous guys like your Lopez, your Rodriguez,

was another one that I talked about. And I was talking about he's the most dangerous guy because so unpredictable and I need to be careful. And it's going to be the same with Diego in a sense where he's a lot more aggressive. Like he's not as maybe calculated because he will just throw it all out there.

But sometimes that can be even more dangerous because of that, if that makes sense. Yeah, it does. The thing is, obviously it leaves a lot of opportunities to be to capitalize. But as I was just saying that, if he was to change his game and want to out-stratage me, it's going to end even worse for him.

I think his best bet is to be reckless. Yeah. You know, is to go out there and, you know, and just fire and just try and find the shot. Can I capitalize on that and hurt him? Yeah, 100%.

But I think that's his best bet, and that's what's going to happen. He's going to come to me like that 100%. If he does it, that's even worse for him. So I'm expecting him to come guns, but if not, that'll be even easier.

And he's the same on the sort of ground where he's probably more calculated on the ground than he is on the feet, but very dangerous and very aggressive as well with his submissions. Absolutely. And young, but not only young in the UFC having only two years of experience, think about Disville. You are in your 10th title fight main event. He's had none. How big of a factor will the experience be come Saturday night? Yeah, well, that's the massive thing. But I don't think that play. I think that's going to help me more to be more composed and, you know, everyone knows I'm pretty composed, like I stick to a game plan and, you know, strategy and stuff like that.

So that experience is going to help me through this process. But for him, he needs to be reckless. Yeah, but what happens if he is reckless and it doesn't work and you're still there in round three and four and five where he's never been? But I mean, if this wasn't a title fight as well, I think he's struggling there anyway, you know what I mean? because of his style. So I don't think it plays too much on his end. On my end, I think I can benefit from the experience.

For him, I don't think it plays too much of a factor. Does that make sense? Yeah, it does. I get what you're saying. Yeah, because for him... Because he has to fight in one style. He fights, like you would think if someone lost their composure in a title fight, that's what it's going to look like.

But that's how he fights, you know what I mean? And that's why it's exciting because he will risk it all, you know, to lean that shot. He's going to very risky type fight, especially on the feet, and I'm expecting that to come on Saturday night. So I need to be where, I need to be composed, I need to be experienced. Yeah. And that's what you're going to see?

You become the champ again. What does that mean to you? Because there has to be days where you go, God dang, man. I'm as far away from this belt as I've ever been. Even when I started, right? And I'm one and on the UFC, too. I've never been this far away from this championship. You become a champ Saturday.

Like, what does that mean to Alexander? of Okunowski? It means everything. Right now I think it's the biggest part of my story because I'm a, you know, but I don't feel like it's at that far. I feel like it is just around the corner and it's just on Saturday night.

Oh, now it is, yeah, for sure. Yeah, exactly. So I feel like, it's weird. Like, there's a confidence in me that, like, I'm already, like, this, the next title reign. You know, I'm thinking of this next title reign. Like, it means so much. This is how, this is the,

this is my story right here. This is my legacy, I feel like. is the big part of my legacy, this next chunk. Even though I've done great things, as you talked about, you know, I'm going to appreciate all that. But this is just going to be what separates you from so many, you know. So that's this next title reign, especially at their age, and people who want to throw over 35 cursory.

I'm 36 years old. Yeah. You can name so many reasons. Nobody's won. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, even no one's come back from, no one's won a undisputed title. I just heard this coming off two losses or two knockouts.

and stuff like that. So there's a whole heap of reasons why this win and this comeback is gonna be massive. I know one dude that won one off of a loss. Me, because they just gave me that bitch back. I got beaten, they just said, hey, man, he's still the champ. And then I won the next fight. It can happen, bro.

It really can. Really quick before I let you go. One, were you surprised that Tepore you was able to get Holloway out of there? Yeah, it was surprised because of Holloway's but I knew if there's someone that does catch it and that could really test it, it is someone like Ilya.

I knew it would be sort of how it was where Max was still making a half for him but I thought Illia did better as well. I was good. I just thought it would have went that little bit longer and that's where you would have seen Max really start to do his thing. But Illia has that power

and that's, you know, with like Islam he's going to move up. People want to count him out. I'm telling you like he's just a dangerous as anybody you know because of you know he's going to look for that chin and he's got if he touches then he can well we saw Islam get knocked out before yeah exactly I mean and I'll yeah if anyone uh contest that chin again it's it's it's illia as well so it's you got a I think that fight will happen that's what I'm that's going to say do you think he gets a title

fight and like do you think he actually beats the fact that he vacated because you fought them both yeah well that's that's it right like uh people can ask you fought about what do you think I mean it's pretty simple if anyone anyone looking at it illia is that that that dangerous. The only way I see even Islam losing is someone catching him. Same with myself. Yeah. So, but who's got the best chance of doing that? Someone like Ilya. Yeah. So it's definitely a fun fight. I think, look, if it goes 25 minutes, it's all Islam. But there's a good chance that I can catch him because he's, you know, he's obviously got that very tidy boxing. Them earlier rounds, you know, I think his takedown defense might help him a bit.

and, you know, but them later rounds. You know, what I thought, you know, he would struggle with Max, but he was able to put him out before then, would be the same case with Islam. I always like to pick his brain about those things because this guy's one of the best analysts in the game, outside of one of the best fighters in the game. Thank you for checking it with me again, Vol.

You know what's always funny, guys, I get these guys on these check-ins, and then you get the champions, and he's got a more expensive cologne, and he's got an AP watch. I mean, these dudes are wrong. Rich, these dudes, hey, let me tell you. Hubla, Hublo.

Hublo, sorry, yes. Yeah, he's got a Yublo watch, a beautiful Hubelo. I got a golf one. Yes, yeah, exactly. But the champions got more expensive cologne, and they've got nicer watches. This dude right here is just way too rich. Guys, go tap into Alexander Volcanowski. Sign up for his YouTube channel, like and subscribe there.

Also tell your friends to like and subscribe here, because I'm checking in the guys like Alexander Volcanowski, who challenges are actually fights for the vacant UFC. the way championship this weekend at USC 314. Go to ESPN Plus, hit that pay-per-view by button, and watch my man try to become a champ again. Vote. Thanks again, my brother.

Until next time, guys. Peace. Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what?

We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong.

way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an acapella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Winning on Clay is an art.

The rallies are relentless. And at the French Open, only the toughest survive. I'd know. I competed there for decades. Join me, Renee Stubbs, on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast for no-nonsense breakdowns of the biggest matches, the toughest players, and the moments that define Roland Garris. Jen, she won. She's an outsider to win the French fame.

And she likes Clay. Listen, Lennarabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any surface. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the Iheart Radio app. Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.