Aussie UFC champion Alex Volkanovski gets the ultimate accolade as home town names a pub after him

Getting the keys to your own pub is a dream for many Aussie men – and that’s exactly what the Illawarra Hotel has done to celebrate hometown hero and UFC world champion Alex Volkanovski. 

The hotel in Wollongong, NSW has been completed rebranded ‘The Volkanovski Hotel’ for the month of March as the featherweight champion prepares for his title defence against ‘The Korean Zombie’ Jung Chan-sung on April 10. 

‘Some towns give their heroes the key to the city, here in the Illawarra we’re going to go one bigger, and we’re going to give our hero the keys to the pub,’ The Volkanovski publican Ryan Aitchison told the Illawarra Mercury.

‘He always talks about where he comes from and he raves about the place, and now it’s time for us to start raving about our hero, a remarkable human that is an inspiration and a role model for everyone.’ 

The honour is more than just a token gesture, though. 

Volkanovski has been hands on with the rebranding and patrons can now sample a Volkanovski beer brewed in tandem with local brewery The Dusty Lizard and a cocktail made from local plumbs that are his wife’s favourite treat.

On top of that, Volkanovski has been busy selecting the best local steaks and has even worked stints on the grill. 

‘I don’t think a pub has ever gone to this level to support its hometown hero, and we want to put our region on the map as the kind of place that goes that extra mile in support great role models and people that do great things for the area,’ Aitchison said.

‘He’ll be changing some things around the hotel but basically it’s just a shrine to a true champion and we want the world to know that Wollongong loves all of its local heroes and we want to support them every which way we can.’

Every aspect of the pub has been rebranded and Volkanovski himself has brought in a signature beer, cocktail and has revamped the steak menu for locals 

‘He’s completely changed up our steak menu. He brought in his butcher and he’s curating our meat. He’s gone to our local brewery, the Dusty Lizard and he’s brewed a beer so he will have his own beer on tap.

‘He’s also connected with our local distiller and created a beautiful cocktail using Illawarra plums that is actually his wife’s favourite, that will be on the menu as well.’

Each Volkanovski beer and cocktail sold at the pub will contribute $1 to Shell Cove’s Kidzwish Foundation, which supports children with disabilities or illnesses and their families.