Mayor refuses to give UFC world champion Alex Volkanovski the keys to his home city over violence fears
- Mayor refuses to give Volkanovski city's highest honour
- Gordon Bradbery says he would be promoting violence
- Volkanovski is currently the No.1 UFC fighter in the world
Although he is recognised as the best UFC athlete in the world, the Lord Mayor of Wollongong refuses to give Alex Volkanovski the keys to the city because he believes MMA is a violent activity.
Volkanovski re-asserted himself as the featherweight champion with a dominant TKO victory over Yair Rodriguez at at UFC 290 in Las Vegas last Sunday.
It was the Aussies fifth defence of his UFC title and was enough to send Volkanovski into a tie with current heavyweight champion Jon Jones atop the promotion's pound-for-pound rankings.
However, 'The Great's' achievements aren't enough for Lord Mayor of Wollongong Gordon Bradbery to put his name forward to receive the city's top honour.
'I also have a responsibility as the lord mayor of the city and as a responsible human being not to endorse those things which are violent,' he told the ABC.
Alex Volkanovski is recognised as the best UFC athlete in the world - but he won't be given the keys to the city of Wollongong
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Gordon Bradbery says he can't endorse violence
'You can decorate it as much as you like but UFC is a violent activity.
'It is against everything we stand for in our community in terms of violence and promoting violence.'
Swimmer Emma McKeon, motorcycle champion Wayne Gardner, Olympic marathon runner Kerryn McCann are all athletes who have received the keys to the city, which is the highest honour council can bestow on an individual.
Wollongong MP Paul Cully has reportedly written several letters to Mayor Bradbery urging him to reconsider his stance.
Volkanovski trains out of Freestyle Fighting Gym in Windang, which is a suburb of Wollongong, but he lives with his family in Shellharbour.
In 2020, he was awarded the keys to the City of Shellharbour after winning his first UFC title against Max Holloway the previous year.
The win against Rodriguez was his 11th straight win at featherweight and established himself as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.
During his post-fight interview, Volkanovski said he would be right back training soon to get ready for his next challenge.
The keys to the city is the highest honour council can give to an individual and Wolongong has a long history of honouring sports star
The Aussie's win against Rodriguez was his 11th straight at featherweight and established himself as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world
So impressive was his performance against Rodriguez, that UFC boss Dana White has granted Volkanovski the green light to decide his next move.
'Volk looked incredible,' White said.
'He's an absolute freak.
'He's at one of those places in his career now where whatever he wants to do, what are we gunna say?'
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