“UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski reflects on Shay Walsh’s journey, praising his purpose, identity, and lasting impact beyond the cage.”

When Alexander Volkanovski first met Shay Walsh at the Tiger Muay Thai trials in 2014, the two young fighters had no idea how deeply their lives would intertwine. From that moment, a friendship was forged. Volkanovski was by Walsh’s side through career-defining highs and crushing injuries, celebrating his title win and standing with him in the toughest times.

Reflecting on their journey, Volkanovski shared:

“We became best friends. I was alongside Shay through all of his injuries, and when he got his title. To see his story told in this documentary really took me right back and pulled on the heartstrings.”

For Volkanovski, A Journey to Greatness: The Untold Story of Shay Walsh isn’t just a film, it’s a powerful reflection of a life lived with resilience, identity, and evolving purpose.

“Finding your purpose is something people really need to see in documentaries,” he said. “There are always highs and lows, and everyone can relate to that. You don’t have to be a fighter to relate to Shay’s story.”

Walsh’s transition from world champion to coach is framed not as an ending, but as a transformation. Volkanovski noted that Walsh’s passion for the sport seems to have grown since stepping away from competition. Dedication and discipline remain, but they’ve matured into something more enduring , a clear identity rooted in teaching, mentoring, and building community.

“For him to find his purpose , his passion, his love for the sport, and to carry that forward… I feel like he’s got even more passion now. You can see the love he has for the game and how he shares that knowledge with his students.”

But for Volkanovski, what stands out most is how Walsh’s story extends far beyond competition. The film reveals not only his resilience, but the way he has built an extended family through his gym, a place where identity, belonging, and purpose are passed on every day.

“That team camaraderie, that family feel you have at Shay Walsh MMA, it’s really incredible,” Volkanovski said. “That’s why the success will always be there, because of Shay, the people around him, and the people involved. There’s only one way for him, and that’s up.”

In celebrating Walsh’s journey, Volkanovski lifts him as an example of what true role models look like: not just champions in the cage, but men who carry their values into the lives of others. His words reinforce the message that Beyond the Cage exists to share, that purpose and identity can be rediscovered, reshaped, and reignited through dedication, resilience, and community.