Alex Volkanovski fights Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg ahead of bout against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284

It takes a brave man to step into the Octagon with Australian UFC champion Alex Volkanovski, but what about the Metaverse? 

Volkanovski will step up a weight division to take on lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 in Perth this Sunday and has been friendless with the bookies, drifting out to almost 4-1.

Perhaps that is why Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg had the insane idea to challenge the Wollongong featherweight champion of the world in an MMA bout.

This was no ordinary bout, however.

Zuckerberg invited Volkanovski to spar with him in the Metaverse, the virtual reality world the Facebook boss hopes will become the next frontier of social media.

The pair were wired up in motion-capture suits and their avatars squared off in a virtual arena.

Zuckerberg proved he has some MMA moves with Volkanovski declaring: ‘good counter too, how good was that counter?’.

The bout quickly ended as the Aussie took down the Facebook guru, with Zuckerberg saying: ‘go get that second belt’. 

Volkanovski holds an open training session for fans and media during the UFC 284 Open Workouts at Elizabeth Quay

Islam Makhachev of Russia poses for a portrait with Hasbulla Magomedov after winning the UFC lightweight championship during the UFC 280 event at Etihad Arena

Zuckerberg is a long-time fan and supporter of the UFC and Volkanovski counts him amongst his friends.

‘Yeah, he’s a mate,’ Volkanovski said in October.

‘I knew well before he made the appearance at the UFC that he’s a big fan. He loves the sport.

‘I do consider him my mate. Again, he’s a cool dude, we get along. I’m actually catching up with him a bit later on in the year. But yeah, cool dude. He knows his stuff, he knows the UFC and all about it.’

Makhachev looms as the biggest challenge in Volkanovski’s career, making the step up from featherweight to lightweight to take on the Russian with 23-1 MMA and 12-1 UFC records.

A UFC fan gets more than they bargained for during an open training session in Perth ahead of UFC 284

Volkanovski receives a gift from members of the Boorloo Aboriginal Cultural Experiences during the UFC 284 Welcome to Country ceremon

While Volkanovski is the No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound, he is friendless at the bookies for this bout – even with the event being held in his home country – drifting out to $3.75.

For some, those would be considered outrageous odds.     

‘Or a good bet,’ Volkanovski told Fox Sports.

‘Because, yes, I’ve got a big challenge in front of me.

‘But I’m also that guy.

‘I’m the fighter with the durability, the ticker, the ability to work a game plan … I’m the fighter who has everything required for an underdog victory.’ 

‘So how can you not put money on that?’

Volkanovski poses for a photo with his team during the UFC 284 Open Workouts at Elizabeth Quay ahead of his lightweight bout against Islam Makhachev

Volkanovski also spoke about a fan that used to send $20,000 TAB slips to him early in his career, showing that he was backing the underdog time and time again.

Eventually, the fan said he was able to pay off his house with Volkanovski winnings.  

‘And I still remember that guy reaching out to me saying ‘hey, I paid off my house betting on you’,’ Volkanovski said.

‘So maybe people have forgotten what got me here.

‘I know this week there are a lot of people saying ‘oh, look what Islam has done to all these other guys he fought’.

‘But who gives a f*** what he’s done?

‘I’m a whole different breed.

‘I’ve told you that. And I’ve proved it.’