New Lord Mayor submits push to award UFC champ the key to Wollongong

A Wollongong controversy up there with the Crown Street Mall palm and the e-scooter trial has finally been resolved.

Six-time world champion UFC mixed martial artist Alexander ”The Great” Volkanovski will be awarded the key to the city.

Volkanovski, from Windang, is Australia’s most successful export in the wildly popular combat sports franchise.

He rocketed to international fame when he won the featherweight title from Max Holloway in 2019.

He was awarded the key to Shellharbour City in 2020 following his title win.

He proceeded to defend the title in five further fights for five years, while also contesting a title in the lightweight division, where he was twice defeated by Islam Makhachev.

In 2023, former Wollongong lord mayor Gordon Bradbery responded strongly in the negative to calls to award Volkanovski the keys to Wollongong City.

“Alexander Volkanovski is a nice person, but I cannot endorse violence,” Mr Bradbery said of his decision.

“Statistics tell us after such events we have an increase in violence in our community, specifically domestic violence, and when I look at the big picture, we have a society where domestic violence is out of control.”

This year, Volkanovski was awarded the NSW Premier’s Award for Community Service.

Volkanovski lost the featherweight title to Ilia Topuira this year; it is expected he will attempt to regain the title in early 2025.

On Monday (25 November), new Lord Mayor of Wollongong Tania Brown put a Mayoral Minute that Volkanovski be awarded the key to the city in recognition of his athletic achievements and commitment to the Illawarra community.

“Despite progressing to the height of the international stage, he has trained and fought his entire career based in Windang,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Alex and his family are embedded in the local community and have been strong supporters of local charities and community campaigns for many years.

“This support ranges from growing autism awareness, assisting KidsWish and the Disability Trust, and donating signed merchandise to many local organisations.

“Despite his global recognition, Alex is an active member of our community, joining local campaigns such as Vax the Illawarra, working to promote men’s health initiatives through Healthier Illawarra Men, supporting national campaigns against domestic violence, and as a national COVID vaccine ambassador to improve vaccination rates.

“He is a passionate advocate for his home town and proudly represents Wollongong and Windang on the world stage, demonstrating loud and proud his hometown pride.”

Councillor Deidre Stuart said she could not support the move.

She took issue with Volkanovski’s partnership with and promotion of gambling agency Sportsbet.

She said awarding the key to Volkanovski would promote a sport that could cause chronic traumatic encephaly (CTE) – a form of brain damage caused by repeated blows to the head.

“I appreciate he has done good things, but the main objectives of this policy is formal recognition for individuals who have given a long-term, high level of service to the community,” Cr Stuart said.

”I don’t wish to promote the UFC because it is so dangerous. Analysis of fights shows concussion-like injuries in 32 per cent of fights.

“It is not just knockouts that cause problems.

“The second reason is the harms arising from gambling.

“Australians are the biggest per capita gamblers in the world, and online gambling is becoming increasingly problematic.

“Mr Volkanovski’s official website lists Sportsbet as a partner with a link that took me directly to a website where I can place a bet.”

Cr Ryan Morris said he was happy to support the minute.

He said although CTE was a risk in several professions, it was not up to the council to police which legal sports and professions were acceptable.

“Alex has been a tremendous advocate for Wollongong,” he said.

“I have seen CTE happen throughout my previous life [in the defence force].

“I am very aware of the effect on the community, but I would not change a thing about my previous life, and I don’t believe these athletes would either.

“It’s not up to us to make those decisions for them.”

Cr Richard Martin pointed out the key has previously been awarded to rugby league team the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2006; CTE is also prevalent among retired rugby players.

“It concerns me some councillors believe we have a right to judge people and what they do,” he said.

“Previous recipients like the St George Illawarra Dragons, the Illawarra Hawks, Wollongong Wolves, Wayne Gardner – their sports all have head impacts.

“Does that mean they should not be recipients?”

The minute was carried, with Crs Stuart and Jess Whittaker voting against.