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Alexander Volkanovski looks forward to learning about Brian Ortega through pranks on 'TUF 29'

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LAS VEGAS – UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski wants to see if he can get in Brian Ortega’s head … by having fun.

Volkanovski (22-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC) will coach Season 29 of “The Ultimate Fighter” opposite No. 1 contender Ortega, and the pair will square off after the filming of the show later this year. “TUF 29” will begin streaming June 1 on ESPN+.

The featherweight title fight was initially scheduled to take place last month at UFC 260, but Volkanovski withdrew after he tested positive for COVID-19. While there was a bit of frustration that he didn’t get to compete, Volkanovski sees several perks out of coaching the show and plans to stir the pot with Ortega (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC).

“There’s a lot that comes out of this,” Volkanovski told reporters Monday at “TUF 29” media day. “Obviously we got more time to sort of get a strategy and work on drills, work on strategy, more film study. We got more time to do that, so we’ll capitalize on the time we have. But not just that, we’re gonna have a show, we’re gonna see how he trains, I’m gonna see his reactions. I might play a little prank, and if he gets all hot-headed over nothing, maybe yeah, I’m gonna get in his head before the next one, so we’ll see what happens.

“We’ll learn a lot through the house, but again, we’re gonna have fun with it. I’m sure he’s competitive, I know I’m competitive. I’m gonna do what I’ve gotta do to win and again, I wanna have fun in there – a bit of banter, a bit of pranks. I know I’m all good, so if he wants to go down that route, I know I’ll keep a clear head, but let’s see if I can break him.”

Still not at a full bill of health, Volkanovski expects to be hitting the mats with his team on the show as he makes a full recovery from COVID-19.

“I’m expecting to be training 100 percent soon,” Volkanovski said. “But I mean, I can obviously train at a good – I could still get in with the boys. I’m looking forward to training. Obviously I want to help coach, but I’m the type of guy that even when I am coaching, I get in the class with them. So we’ll keep an eye, but at the same time I don’t mind moving around with the boys, so I’m looking forward to that, and I’m hoping I’ll be in good enough nick to keep up with them and surely my lungs will hold up. I’ll be sweet.”

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