NFL Star Jordan Mailata Spectacularly Lifts Alexander Volkanovski

According to reports covering the meeting, the confrontation took an unexpected turn when the action hit the canvas. Mailata, the massive offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, utilized his extraordinary size and strength to solve the grappling problem by simply lifting Volkanovski off the mat. The stark contrast between Volkanovski’s fighting build and Mailata’s listed professional playing weight of approximately 365 pounds (roughly 165 kilograms) drew widespread attention across combat sports and NFL media channels.

Scale, Size, and Physics in Combat Sports

The encounter underscores the dramatic realities of weight classes in combat sports versus open-weight physical anomalies found in football. Volkanovski competed at the elite level of the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight division—typically fighting around 145 pounds—before moving up to lightweight. Mailata, meanwhile, anchors the offensive line in the National Football League at a stature that dwarfs standard combat athletes outside of the absolute heavyweight division.

When athletes of vastly different disciplines interact, the mechanics of leverage shift entirely. While Volkanovski possesses world-class grappling defense, footwork, and championship-level mixed martial arts credentials, hoisting a human being weighing well over three times his fighting weight introduces a unique kinematic challenge. Mailata’s ability to effortlessly elevate his training partner demonstrated the functional strength required to block elite pass-rushers in the NFL trenches.

Background and Athletic Context

Mailata transitioned to American football from rugby league in Australia through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. Before being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the South Sydney Rabbitohs product played junior rugby league, where his combination of size and mobility first caught the eye of talent evaluators.

Volkanovski, a former semi-professional rugby league player himself before dedicating his career to mixed martial arts, shares an Australian sporting background with Mailata. That shared athletic lineage often bridges the gap between different codes, allowing for high-profile crossover interactions whenever Australian athletes achieve prominence on global stages.

Next Steps and Future Engagements

As Volkanovski prepares for his next steps inside the Octagon following his recent bouts in the UFC featherweight and lightweight divisions, casual training encounters and media appearances continue to highlight his crossover appeal. Meanwhile, Mailata remains an anchor for the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line as the team navigates the demanding NFL calendar.

Fans and media outlets can follow official updates regarding Volkanovski’s next UFC booking through the promotion’s official schedule announcements, while Eagles updates and injury reports remain available via the Philadelphia Eagles official team site.