Alex Volkanovski Awarded Keys to the City of Wollongong in Historic Ceremony

In a historic event that marks a significant shift in local sentiment, UFC Featherweight Champion Alex "The Great" Volkanovski has been awarded the Keys to the City of Wollongong City.

The ceremony, held at Wollongong Central, was attended by a large crowd of fans, friends, and family who braved the rain to honour their hometown hero.

Alex's journey to this recognition has been anything but straightforward. Despite his impressive achievements in the world of mixed martial arts, including reclaiming the UFC featherweight title in April 2025 and being ranked the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in July 2022, previous attempts to bestow this honour were met with resistance. Former Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery had declined to nominate Volkanovski, citing concerns over promoting violence associated with MMA. 

However, the tide turned in November 2024 when the Wollongong Council, under the leadership of Lord Mayor Tania Brown, resolved to award the city's highest honour to Volkanovski.

Mayor Brown praised Volkanovski's unwavering commitment to his roots, stating, "Alex's championship resume on the world stage speaks for itself, but his willingness and determination to promote Wollongong on the international stage speaks to the pride he has in his hometown." 

Accepting the honour, Volkanovski expressed deep gratitude, saying, "Wollongong made me who I am. To be recognised like this by my own community means the world to me." 

The ceremony featured a Q&A session with Volkanovski, allowing fans to engage directly with the champion. Despite the weather-induced venue change, the event was a resounding success, symbolising not only a personal triumph for Volk but also a broader acceptance and celebration of mixed martial arts within the community.

This recognition underscores the evolving perception of MMA and highlights the impact of community advocacy in honouring local heroes.