It’s been nearly seven months since UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski has stepped foot inside the octagon. Now ranked seventh in the pound-for-pound rankings of UFC fighters, Volkanovski was originally set to defend his title in a highly-anticipated rematch with Max Holloway, from whom he won the title in December, in his home country of Australia but that fight will now take place this Saturday on Fight Island at UFC 251.

So what has Alexander Volkanovski been up to in those seven months? Well, as it turns out, he’s been putting together a children’s book in which he’s hoping to show the world that he and many other fighters are essentially the anti-Conor McGregor. UFC is obviously full of tough men and women but Volkanovski wants people to see the softer side of MMA fighters.

Alexander Volkanovski has lost just one fight in his MMA career

Following a semi-pro rugby career, Alexander Volkanovski began training for a career in mixed martial arts in 2010 and made his pro debut in May 2012 at the age of 23. He began his career in the welterweight division as he was still holding onto weight from his rugby days but he’s continued to slim down over the years, eventually moving to lightweight and then to featherweight. After winning his first three fights, he lost via TKO to Corey Nelson in the Australian Fighting Championship Welterweight Tournament in May 2013. Alexander Volkanovski hasn’t lost since.

After fighting for three more years in various promotions, Volkanovski made his UFC debut in November 2016 and promptly disposed of Yusuke Kasuya, knocking him out in the second round. He earned his first Fight of the Night honor in December 2018 by knocking out Chad Mendes, which also came in the second round. That set him up for a match with former two-time UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo, whom he defeated via unanimous decision in May 2019. Volkanovski was finally granted a title match against Max Holloway this past December and won his first UFC championship belt, moving his career record to 21-1. With the victory, he became the first man to defeat Holloway at featherweight since Conor McGregor did so in 2013.

But beating Max Holloway is pretty much the only thing that Alexander Volkanovski wants to have in common with Conor McGregor.

Alexander Volkanovski just released a children’s book to show that he’s the anti-Conor McGregor

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What do you get when you cross a World Champion (@alexvolkanovski), an incredible artist (@samwellhall) and a mother who got restless at the mere thought of quarantine…A CHILDREN'S BOOK!! You get a book that tells the story of Alex's inspirational rise through the ranks of the UFC. A story of resilience, sacrifice and a man that has committed, unapologetically, to becoming a World Champion…and what a champion he is! You get a book that will hopefully shine a new light on the sport and draw attention to the athleticism and sacrifice of these athletes via a medium that is as enjoyable as it is educational. You get a book that can be read and enjoyed by the whole family with a simple, albeit (not so) subtle, message – dreams only work if you do. Pre-sale on now! You can order it online via the link in my bio and its due out late August. This has been such a huge project months in the making and I'm so happy to see it finally come to life and can't wait to see it in the hands of the next world champ VERY soon! Special thanks to @deankoorey who has been vital in the editing and panic attack stages. And to my better half, @sirpnut – thank you for supporting my crazy antics. Always. ? . . . . #alexandervolkonovski #ufc #mma #childrensbook #author #kidsbook #ufc

A post shared by Courtney Beaton (@courtneyjbeaton) on Jul 6, 2020 at 5:12am PDT

While Alexander Volkanovski is clearly one of the toughest people on the UFC roster, the husband and father of two clearly has a soft side as well. Out to prove that certain people have the wrong idea about mixed martial arts as a whole, Volkanovski spent some of his time during quarantine helping put together a children’s book based on his story.

Working with author Courtney Beaton and illustrator Samuel Hall, Volkanovski wanted to show that things such as discipline and morality are more important than a personal brand. He doesn’t like the fact that he’s grouped in with some other high-profile fighters that have gotten themselves into trouble outside the octagon as it puts a negative spotlight on UFC and MMA as a whole. The only Australian-born champion in UFC history is hoping the book can help debunk the theory that all fighters are just violent thugs.

Volkanovski recently spoke with 7 News Australia about the book and threw a little shade at Conor McGregor and his infamous bus incident while doing so.

“It’s going to be about myself, which is pretty cool. The direction of the book is about being a world champion and everything about it. This is a story about my journey in a storybook type of way.

“We aren’t all mugs that want to chuck dollies at buses, that want to hit old men, and that’s what hits the media. I think this is a good way to show that we’re not all like that. Some of the most respectful people I know are fighters. Some of the nicest people I’ve ever met (are) through this sport but you don’t really get to see that. (MMA is) all about honor, respect.

“People always talk about ‘what’s your brand?’ I pride myself on being a respectful, humble type of guy. I’m a loyal family man, that’s what I pride myself on. People are always talking about being a good role model, ‘my kid looks up to you.’ (I want) to show everyone we do have some good role models in this sport.

“We’re proud of that and I’m proud of that as well.”

Alexander Volkanovski

Pre-ordering for “Alexander the Great” is now underway.

He’ll co-main event UFC 251 in a rematch with Max Holloway

Alexander Volkanovski will defend his UFC Featherweight Championship against Max Holloway this Saturday night in the co-main event of UFC 251 from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, one of three title bouts on the main card.