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Alexander Volkanovski is one of the pound-for-pound kings of the UFC. And it is easy to see why. The featherweight has beaten every opponent the UFC has put in front of him, including one of the greatest UFC fighters, former champion Max Holloway thrice.

His only loss in the UFC came at the hands of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 284, when the Australian moved up a weight class to try and become a double champion. And although he lost in a decision, he was able to hold his own against the Dagestani. And his fame, it seems, has reached far and wide so that even NBA champions are training with him.

Jamal Murray trains with Alexander Volkanovski

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On his official Instagram account, Alexander Volkanovski posted a carousel post of him training with a very special person, Denver Nuggets star and NBA champion, Jamal MurrayThe Nugget was an integral part of his team winning the 2023 NBA championship along with superstar and Finals MVP Nikola Jokic.

The two are friends and Murray has been seen supporting ‘Volk’ in his fights. The two became friends when Murray visited Australia last year. The images showed the two sparring and training together and a rapt Murray listening to the Aussie giving him pointers.

Fans react to Jamal Murray and Volkanovski training together

Fans took to the comments section of Volkanovski’s post and made their thoughts known on the unlikely crossover. Here is what some of them had to say.

One fan felt that this was an unexpected, albeit great collaboration:

“The weirdest most random but greatest duo”

Another agreed:

“Most random collab ever”

Another thought Murray was preparing for a fight against basketball player Dillon Brooks:

“Damn I already know Jamal is gonna be waiting for a Dillon brooks to cop those hands”

One user predicted Murray was training for his eventual switch to MMA:

“he’s always at the fights and with volk dudes gonna switch careers and start fighting lmfao”

Read more: Hours After Playing a Part in Israel Adesanya’s Downfall, Alex Pereira Unloads a Huge Statement on Sean Strickland at UFC 293

Another was puzzled on how ‘Volk’ was able to dominate Murray despite a one-foot height difference:

“Someone explain how a 5’6 guy dominates a 6’6 guy”

Another proudly shouted out his hometown Denver and the Nuggets:

“Our champions  denver stand up !!! My city is the best”

One fan pleaded the featherweight champion to go easy on Murray as the NBA season is about to start:

“Don’t hurt him volk, his got a big season coming up”

One fan was excited at the possibility of the best athletes who join the NBA and NFL entering MMA:

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“Imagine mma gets the athletes that nfl and nba have one day”

Another pleaded with the Australian to help his friend Israel Adesanya:

Please get izzy back to track

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Clearly, fans are enamored with the collab. Game, as they say, recognizes game. And the mutual admiration and respect that the two athletes hold for each other is warranted, seeing as both are champions in their sports.

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