Alexander Volkanovski fights back tears in shock mental health revelation after loss at UFC 294

An emotional Alexander Volkanovski fought back tears as he revealed his mental health struggles in the aftermath of his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294.

The Australian admitted it may have been a silly decision to take the fight on just 11 days’ notice after he was brutally knocked out in the first round.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Volkanovski fights back tears as he reveals mental struggles.

Stream ONE Fight Night, ONE Friday Fights events and get access to highlights and ONE’s library archive of more than 100 past events for free on 7plus >>

Despite the nature of the defeat, the 35-year-old urged the UFC to keep him busy and he wants to make a featherweight title defence against rising star Ilia Tuporia in three months’ time.

Unlike their first fight in Perth last February, when he lost a close decision to Makhachev, Volkanovski never got going on Saturday night (Sunday morning AEDT) after stepping in as a late replacement for the injured former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.

Makhachev landed some good kicks and knees before a devastating left leg kick to the head floored the 35-year-old Australian.

The blow opened up a nasty cut over Volknaovski’s right eye and a few seconds of ground and pound to the head from Makhachev prompted referee Marc Goddard to stop the fight at the 3:06 mark of the first round.

After the fight, Volkanovski conceded it might have been the wrong decision to take the fight on, but also revealed he needed it for his own mental health.

“I don’t want to sit here and make excuses. I’m a big believer in preparation,” he said.

“But I back myself. And that’s the decision I made.

“I could’ve made better decisions.

“He (Makhachev) is not someone you should take a short notice fight with.

“But I needed it. Obviously a lot of people will say it’s for the money but it was much more than that.”

The Aussie then began to struggle with emotions before continuing.

“It is hard. It really is hard for athletes. I never thought I’d struggle with it but for some reason when I wasn’t fighting or in camp …”

He was then forced to stop speaking as he took a breather before explaining the mental toll he was going through.

“It (not being in camp) was just doing my head in,” he said.

“So when this opportunity came up, I’ll be honest I wasn’t training as much as I should’ve but I thought I had to take it.

“I’m telling myself that it was meant to be.

“I was struggling a little bit not fighting, it was doing my head in.

“I don’t know how, I’ve got a beautiful family.

“I think you just need to keep busy. So I ask the UFC to keep me busy.

“I need to be in camp or otherwise I’m going to do my head in.

“I’ll leave it at that.”

UFC boss Dana White said he loved the idea of Volkanovski fighting Topuria in January provIded he got medical clearance, but Makhachev cautioned against the Australian returning too quickly.

“January he can’t, he has a big cut on his eye,” Makhachev said.

“If he’s smart, his team is smart he takes a couple of months rest.”

– With AAP