Alex Volkanovski is preparing for a title defense in the Octagon, but the featherweight champion is already planning his next production far from the cage. In an interview with Babcock from his hotel in Abu Dhabi, Volkanovski said he wants Islam Makhachev to appear on his YouTube series "Cooking With Volk" for an episode set in the mountains of Dagestan.
The concept departs from the polished format of most celebrity cooking programs. Volkanovski described a rugged outing built around horseback hunting and open-fire preparation of whatever the pair catches.
"I love the idea of Islam Makhachev, doing it with him," Volkanovski told TMZ.com. "We've even chatted about it. I'm going to Dagestan, in the mountains, horseback hunting, huntin on horseback, catching whatever we catch, and then cooking it literally over a wood fire."
Volkanovski indicated that the plan has moved beyond casual conversation. "This is something that we've already chatted about. I'm telling you, it's gonna happen. We're gonna do it," he told TMZ.com.
The collaboration would reunite two fighters who shared the Octagon twice in 2023. Volkanovski moved up a weight class for the first meeting and lost a razor-close decision. Makhachev won the rematch by knockout.
The Makhachev episode is not the only expansion under consideration. Volkanovski said he wants to launch a broader series featuring former opponents, and he confirmed that a collaboration with Ilia Topuria is already in the works.
The existing show has found a substantial audience. According to TMZ.com, the "Cooking With Volk" channel has accumulated more than 62 million views in just about a year.
Volkanovski's off-cage profile extends beyond YouTube. He appears in a star-studded ensemble cast in the new live-action Street Fighter movie, which has just been released. He discussed his acting ambitions in the same interview.
Before any of those projects move forward, Volkanovski must handle business in the Octagon. He is scheduled to defend his title against the undefeated Movsar Evloev in the UFC 333 main event on Saturday night, with the card airing on Paramount+.