After he got through his “fanboy” moment, Barry Hall picked up some fight week “gold” from UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski ahead of his Sonny Bill Williams fight.
The 45-year-old AFL legend was star-struck upon meeting the UFC featherweight champion for the first time at a gym near Wollongong but quickly got down to business to swap trade secrets.
“I’m a big fan of UFC so I’m fanboying a little bit,” Hall told Wide World of Sports.
TURF WAR: Sonny Bill Williams vs Barry Hall, live and Exclusive on Stan Event, March 23. Purchase the event now at stan.com.au/event
“He’s obviously a world champion that knows what he’s doing. It’s just picking the brain of all sorts of elite athletes, whether it’s combat sport or football or whatever it might be, just to see how they handle stuff, how they handle fight week.
“I’m asking questions about how he goes about stuff because I’m pretty much a novice at this game. Just those little bits of gold that can certainly help.”
Hall’s biggest takeaway tip was to relax and enjoy all the fun and games that fight week will bring.
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While Hall was an accomplished junior boxer, he has just one pro fight to his name – the controversial draw with former NRL star Paul Gallen.
“This is a big event, there is a lot of hype around it and just enjoy it,” Hall said.
“Last time I didn’t enjoy it as much, I got a bit wound up and wanted to kill him. So just sit back and enjoy it. There’s no point getting wound up, nervous or anxious now, like what’s the point? That’s just a waste of energy so I’m just enjoying all this.”
Volkanovski couldn’t help but laugh as he watched Hall and his big boot work on his UFC kicking skills.
It was a ‘pinch me’ moment for him as well.
“I’ve been watching Barry for years so it’s good to finally meet him,” Volkanovski told Wide World of Sports.
“I definitely kept an eye on him, I’ve always been a rugby league guy but I love sport so I’ve always had my eye on the AFL, especially the Sydney Swans. And I have a bit in common with Barry as well, just knowing that he knew how to blue.
“I can pick his brains as well. When it comes to martial arts, he’s got some questions for me and I’m happy to give whatever advice I can.”
Volkanovski admitted he was “biased” given his new link with Hall but liked the Swans great’s chances against Williams.
“I rate Paul Gallen very, very highly as a boxer and for him to go out there, he’s already tested himself and proved he is worthy of being in that ring. I’m definitely giving him a good chance in this one.
“Obviously Sonny Bill’s an athletic kid too, a talented guy but I think Barry has definitely proved himself. He’s looking really trim actually, that’s what I was saying – ‘mate, you’re looking good!’
“He looks like he’s in good shape and ready to go.”
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