Alexander Volkanovski has made himself one of the highest paid athletes in Australia – and “easily” above the $5 million required to enter the top 15 – after signing on for Sunday’s blockbuster title fight against UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev.
Better, a win at UFC 294 here in Abu Dhabi could see the former Wollongong concreter put his name towards the pointy end of a list topped by the likes of NBA superstar Ben Simmons, F1 ace Daniel Ricciardo and NFL heavyweight Jordan Mailata.
As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia, Volkanovski has been signed to a huge new contract deal by UFC president Dana White after agreeing to fight for the lightweight title on just 11 days notice.
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Speaking for the first time about the deal overnight here in Abu Dhabi, Australia’s No.1 fighter would not say specifically how much the deal was worth – but confirmed it was upwards of the $5 million required to enter the Aussie top 15.
The popular father-of-three is also set to earn significantly more if he beats Makhachev this Sunday – setting up a host of exciting, big money lightweight bouts in 2024.
Volkanovski also stressed that if he does become a two-division champion against Makhachev, he then wants to defend both belts in 2024 — and stresses has already proven himself capable of doing so.
Importantly, and regardless of what happens inside Etihad Stadium this Sunday, both the champ and his manager Ash Belcastro have also revealed the new UFC deal already puts ‘The Great’ into Australia’s top 15 sporting money earners.
Belcastro said the new contract sees his client “easily” make a list where the entry point is $5 million, annually.
Chatting with Fox Sports Australia inside the Hilton Hotel, Volk was shown a list of the nation’s best paid athletes for 2023 – which includes the likes of Simmons, Ricciardo, Patty Mills, Josh Giddey and golfer Cam Smith.
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When it was noted the No.15 entry was golfer Jason Day, on $4.7 million, the champ smiled and replied: “Yes, I’m now on there, too”.
Shown the same list, Belcastro replied: “Volk is on there … and easily”.
The new deal represents an incredible change in fortunes for the fighter who started out his professional career while also working as a Wollongong concreter and living, broke, in a spare room at mum’s place with his young family.
A win on Sunday would also see Volkanovski presented with a host of big money new challenges and the incredible potential to defend two belts simultaneously.
“So imagine the opportunities that come with a big knockout this weekend,” the Wollongong star said.
“High risk, high reward … I thrive in these situations.
“And I can’t wait to take it all.”
Back in February, GQ Magazine released a list of the highest paid athletes in Australia based on total prizemoney earned for the year or salaries.
At the top was NBA star Ben Simmons on $51 million, followed by F1 star Daniel Ricciardo ($36M), golfer Cam Smith ($30M), NFL monster Jordan Mailata ($21M) and baseballer Liam Hendriks ($20M).
NBA stars Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Josh Giddey are next on $9 million.
Now when the next list comes out, Volkanovski will be on there too – and set to quickly ascend if he can go upset Makhachev, who beat him via a contentious decision in their first showdown back in February.
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“So this new contract, it means everything to me,” said Volkanovski, who now his three daughters with his wife Emma.
“I want to be successful.
“And, of course, I want to leave a legacy.
“But if leaving a legacy didn’t help my family I wouldn’t care about that.
“I do all this for my family.
“And what’s ahead for me, these are big opportunities.”
Elsewhere, Volkanovski stressed that, with a win this weekend, he then wants to defend both the featherweight and lightweight titles in 2024.
“Let’s talk about this for a second,” the champ started.
“I’ve stepped up for every lighteweight and featherweight fight for over a year.
“I either fought in them or turned up for one to make weight.
“So for the last five or six light and featherweight (title) fights, I’ve been there for everyone.
“So don’t tell me I can’t keep two divisions busy.
“I can keep them busy.
“I understand what they (the UFC) want.
“They don’t want to hold up two divisions.
“And I think I’ve proven that I wouldn’t.
“So obviously I want to do January (against Ilia Topuria, for the featherweight strap).
“I want to be double champ and keep both divisions busy.”
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Asked initially about the new deal, Belcastro said: “Alex has been very well compensated.
“We’ve signed a great new agreement – not just for this fight but beyond — and Volk is now at the top echelon of UFC athletes (in terms of pay).
“It’s not just money, either. There is a whole lot more around it and he has been given some really good guarantees.
“Typically in fight sports, the heavier you are the more you get paid.
“But with Alex, as a featherweight … he’s doing really well.
“As far as featherweights are concerned, he was already the highest paid fighter ever outside Conor McGregor.
“But this new deal, it puts him in a great position to look after his family and even beyond that.”
