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Nicolas Atkin

Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA strawweight prospect Jada Ketley returns to action next week, and she could not have had a better confidence booster going in.
The 27-year-old Australian got some first-hand coaching from UFC featherweight champ Alex Volkanovski, who dished out plenty of priceless knowledge during a seminar at the new gym in Phuket, Thailand.
“First of all, Alex Volkanovski doesn’t get enough credit for the champion that he is,” Ketley told the Post.
“Specifically because he’s not an a******, and I’m baffled by that because I think he’s the type of champion you should want to get behind. And if I had kids, he’s the kind of guy I’d want them to look up to.


“But it was just amazing – his knowledge and his IQ, and even from his trainer Joe [Lopez], the way they were able to pass on that knowledge.
“You just look at a guy like that and think, ‘How long until I can be at that sort of level?’, where you’re seeing things like that and you have that IQ. He was just awesome. It was a really good experience.”
Superbon wants to give MMA a shot, UFC’s Volkanovski keen to train him
Ketley (1-2) will make the six-hour journey to Hua Hin next week for her third fight of 2022. She secured a first-round submission win on the historic first Fairtex Fight card in January at the famed Lumpinee Stadium in January, before suffering a razor-close split decision loss last time out at UAE Warriors 27 in March.
She will next face another rising prospect in Thailand, Noelle “Lil’monkey” Grandjean (2-0).
“She’s [Grandjean] a judo girl, has a really good head and arm throw like Ronda Rousey did,” Ketley said. “It’s easy to say your opponent only has one thing, but when they’re really, really good at it – you saw how far Ronda Rousey went with it.

“But that’s obviously something we’ve been working on. I think I have the advantages in the height and the range and the stand-up. I think my jiu jitsu is better rounded, I feel confident going into it.
“Although I didn’t win my last fight, it didn’t knock the confidence out of me. I performed well on a big stage like UAE Warriors. I see what I’m capable of – I know what I could’ve done to make that decision go more my way. It was a huge learning experience, so I know exactly what I need to do to win this one.”
Ketley will have plenty of experience in her corner, with the famed Hickman brothers, George and Frank, as well as black belts Alex Schild and Josh Hinger – the multiple-time IBJJF world champion – guiding her on her journey.




















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A post shared by Jada Ketley (@jadaketley)



“One thing I’ve discovered about myself in regards to having a coach is not just them as coaches but as people, how you bond with them outside the gym,” Ketley said.
“George and Frank and Alex and Josh, it’s more like a family environment – they are people that I trust with other things, the kind of people I would turn to if I have life problems. Just amazing people, amazing coaches. I’ve come so far with them in such a very short amount of time. I can only speak so highly of them.”
The coaching team’s Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA gym has also come a long way in a short amount of time, hosting a grand opening last weekend, with combat sports royalty like Volkanovski and ONE Championship featherweight kick-boxing king Superbon already passing through their doors.

Former UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili also arrived this week to start her camp for June’s rematch with Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 275 in Singapore.
“Honestly, it’s crazy,” Ketley said. “Just a few months ago, we were on puzzle mats over there and this was a construction site. The gym hasn’t even been officially opened for a full week – we just had the grand opening – and already we have names like this coming through.
“I’m hoping I get a chance to roll or train with Zhang Weili, but just already having names like that here shows it’s just the beginning. Just imagine in the future how far this gym is going to go.”

Ketley has been in Thailand for 11 years, growing up in the country from the age of 14 until 21, before returning in 2019 after a stint in South Africa, and she has certainly found her perfect home at Bangtao.
And while she is keen to fight anywhere, any time, Ketley has her sights firmly set on making it to the UFC.
“Absolutely,” she said. “I see there are a lot of other promotions that are coming up and doing really well for the fighters. At the end of the day, I really want to make a living out of this. I’m open minded to all the possibilities, but definitely the UFC is the end goal.”


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Bangtao MMA prospect Jada Ketley reflects on ‘awesome’ training with Alex Volkanovski, and her UFC dream

UFC champion Alex Volkanovski (left) speaks to Jada Ketley during his seminar at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA. Photos: Criscarlo Chua

UFC champion Alex Volkanovski (left) shows Jada Ketley some technique.

UFC champion Alex Volkanovski (left) speaks to Jada Ketley during his seminar at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA.

UFC champion Alex Volkanovski (centre) watches on as Jada Ketley (right) spars.

No 1 pound-for-pound kickboxer Superbon wants to give MMA a shot – and UFC champ Alex Volkanovski is keen to train him

ONE Championship featherweight kickboxing champ Superbon and UFC featherweight champ Alev Volkanoski at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA. Photo: Instagram/@superbon_banchamek

Superbon celebrates after beating Marat Grigorian to retain his featherweight kick-boxing title at ONE X in Singapore. Photo: ONE Championship

Alexander Volkanovski celebrates after the fight against Jung Chgan-sung at UFC 273. Photo: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

UFC: Alex Volkanovski says AJ McKee’s title loss ‘makes me chuckle’ after Bellator star’s taunts

Alex Volkanovski (centre) with coach Frank Hickman ahead of his seminar at the Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA gym. Phots: Criscarlo Chua

Alex Volkanovski demonstrates a technique with his coach Joe Lopez during a seminar at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA. Photo: Criscarlo Chua

UFC: Alex Volkanovski ‘the complete fighter’ and is finally getting due credit, says coach George Hickman

Alexander Volkanovski celebrates after beating Jung Chan-sung to retain his featherweight title at UFC 273. Photo: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Alexander Volkanovski punches Jung Chan-sung at UFC 273. Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images/AFP

Alexander Volkanovski celebrates with his featherweight title after defeating Jung Chan-sung at UFC 273. Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images/AFP

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The 27-year-old Thailand-based Australian strawweight returns to action next week in Hua Hin, buoyed by an ‘amazing’ seminar from UFC champ
Ketley is also hoping to train with Zhang Weili, who has taken her UFC 275 fight camp to Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA gym



The 27-year-old Australian strawweight returns to action next week in Hua Hin, buoyed by ‘amazing’ seminar from UFC champ Alex Volkanovski at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA.
