Being a legendary coach isn’t an easy journey. However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have hilarious stories to tell. In one such instance, former 185-pound division champion Israel Adesanya‘s legendary coach, Eugene Bareman, shared a story about an injury Volkanovski sustained during his fight against Rodriguez.

While talking to Submission Radio, Bareman revealed a story that will make any MMA fan laugh, yet that was not the main point of the story. “Volk knows not to mention any broken hands to me. Yeah, like you know, funny enough, I forgot about a story that Volk told me in Miami, um, you know, Volk in the Yair fight broke his hand and he told me, he told us in the second round, looked at me and said “I broke my hand”.” Well, Bareman said nothing, so Adesanya thought that no one had heard him.

So, after the third round, Adesanya once again mentioned his broken hand and well, Bareman kinda blew up on him, “I just paused, and I looked him in the eyes and I said, “If you mention that broken hand again, I’m going to knock you out.” Or something along those lines, and I just let him you know, that was just me letting him know that, what do you want me to do? What do you want to do about it? You want me to, what can we do about it? That’s not, that doesn’t exist, brother, a broken hand doesn’t exist. So that’s that was a really valuable lesson learned, you know, perhaps in the Yair fight.”

Bareman’s story, although funny, hides a very serious aspect of the octagon’s intensity. Injuries can happen at any given moment, and if you want to win, you will have to completely ignore them and focus on what’s next. Because there is no other option, can someone like Volk afford to lose his title over a hand injury? This was the meaning behind Bareman’s threat to Volk as he continued the fight and went on to put on an amazing performance and earn the victory against Yair Rodriguez.

Speaking of hand injuries, what’s concerning is that this is not the first time that Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski has suffered a hand injury during a fight, with his latest injury happening during his main event bout for the 145-pound division title at UFC 314, fans are concerned over the Australian’s next appearance in the octagon.

Hand injury concerns loom over Alexander Volkanovski’s promise to fight twice this year

During his UFC featherweight championship showdown against Diego Lopes at UFC 314, Volkanovski gave an unforgettable performance out-striking the Mexican fighter while taking home a UD victory and the 145-pound division title. A cinematic war, that is how the community is looking upon their fight. But in the fight-game, respect and honor are only earned at a cost. Even though the victor, Volk, took a lot of damage in that fight.

“He might have broke his hand. We’ve still got to get that X-Ray. So he did hurt his hand. It was earlier in the fight, I think. Alex didn’t say anything afterwards, it was just at the end, he was just saying, ‘Look, I think I busted my hand.’ I can’t remember which round.” Volk’s coach, Joe Lopez, reavealed that ‘The Great’ suffered the injury early in the fight and how wouldn’t he? He was in their landing very powerful shots.

Although Volkanovski is eyeing a return to the octagon as early July or September, IF things are good. And then for a second defense this year, his hand injury can give his fight schedule a whole new twist. Coming off of two losses and then getting this big win surely means a lot to Volk and his fans. But, considering the damage he took in this fight and the injuries he inflicted, things may just take a bad turn for the Aussie.

“He’s got a bit of a sore foot and just the bumps and bruises after having a five-round war with a warrior.” Added Coach Lopez, revealing exactly how much damage both the titans took in the octagon. While it is a long recovery for The Great Volkanovski, Volk has time and time again amazed the world, whether it’s through his performances, personality, speeches or fitness and many more. But another hand injury may turn out be more lethal than before for Volk. With that in mind, this time too, like always, we can hope that it all works out perfectly for our beloved Aussie and he, being Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski will keep displaying greatness like he always has.