How Eels superstar almost quit footy for fighting during bitter Dragons split
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How Eels superstar almost quit footy for fighting during bitter Dragons split
Zac Lomax has sensationally revealed he considered quitting the NRL to pursue a fight career during his tumultuous exit from St George Illawarra – with the NSW Origin hopeful also not ruling out a crossover to either the ring or cage when his current contract is up.
Readying for a hyped return to the field with his Parramatta Eels, 25-year-old Lomax has told Fox Sports Australia how extensive training alongside UFC superstar Alexander Volkanovski saw him consider a shock switch of sports during the height of his 2024 contract saga.
The revelation comes as the Blues hopeful also confirmed he will likely be sidelined for one more week - tipping a return for the Eels’ Round 11 game against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Should his NRL return play out as hoped, it will give the Eels signing just one week to impress NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley ahead of the series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 28.
Sidelined for the past month with a foot injury, Lomax trained at Parramatta HQ on Wednesday morning before then heading to Fox Sports studios to appear on the UFC Fight Week program alongside Robert Whittaker and host Niko Pajarillo.
Chatting with Fox Sports Australia before going on air, the Eels poster boy spoke about everything from his love of boxing, and years spent training alongside Volkanovski, to Sunday’s UFC 315 title fight involving Australian Jack Della Maddalena.
Elsewhere, Lomax also opened up for the first time on whispers that, during his incredibly public push to leave the Dragons early last year, he considered walking away from rugby league to pursue a career in boxing or MMA.
Privately, Lomax has spent years training boxing, grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, with Volkanovski a huge fan of his work ethic and promise.
During his time with St George Illawarra, the NRL star also got so involved in MMA that he was working out three times a week at Volkanovski’s gym, while also sparring regularly with former Australian super middleweight Tyler Sargent-Jackson.
Back in 2021, Lomax also cornered for Sargent-Jackson when he appeared on the undercard of what would be Paul Gallen’s shock heavyweight win over former world champion Lucas Browne.
As a result, it has since been suggested that during the height of last year’s contract saga, the outside back considered walking away from the sport to add his name to a list of crossover athletes including Anthony Mundine, Sonny Bill Williams and Gallen.
Asked this week about the whispers, and exactly how close he came to switching sports, Lomax replied with a smile: “Ah, yeah, that’s a tough one.
“And who knows?
“Ultimately, I’m somebody who likes to test myself as much as I can.
“That’s why I left my previous club, to test myself and see where my game can go.
“And I remember (during the contract saga) talking to my family a little bit about things.
“Different scenarios.
“I was weighing up different options and thinking about where my passions were leaning.
“And again, boxing and MMA is something I love …”
Pushed on how close he came, Lomax continued: “Fighting’s something I’ve loved so much from a young age.
“And something I love so much now because I always feel myself getting better.
“It’s like when people are a professional in one sport, then they go and do another one and love it because they feel themselves getting better.
“That’s me.
“I love that, too.
“And you never know what the right choice is.
“But you end up talking to your loved ones and then making your decision based on what you think is right at that time.”
Eventually, the Eels won out.
“And there are definitely still things in rugby league I want to achieve,” says the man who represented both NSW and the Kangaroos last year.
“At the end of the day, I want to squeeze as much out of my NRL career as I can at this point.
“Improve myself and achieve as much as I can.
“And I’m definitely loving things at the Eels.”
But as for still making the switch sometime down the track?
“You never know what is around the corner,” Lomax conceded.
“But I’m someone who once I have made a decision, gives 100 per cent to it.
“I’m here at the Eels for a while and want to have the most success we possibly can.
“That’s the plan.
“So while I have no idea what the future holds, I’m in a position where I want to arrive at training every day and train as hard as I can, and with the great players I have around me.
“Right now, my mindset is to get back onto the field.”
Asked when his return will be, Lomax suggested Friday week’s match against the Knights saying: “Hopefully it’s next week.
“Initially the plan was to return this week but my foot pulled up a little sore in training so fingers crossed it’s next week.”
Lomax added that he was keen to get back onto the field with the Blue & Golds, continuing: “I love what I’m doing now at Parramatta.
“Last year, it was great for me to take my game to new heights and that is what I’m looking to do again now.
“I feel my form at the start of the year was going in the right direction.
“Obviously breaking my foot, that was a little hiccup.
“But as soon as I get back onto the field I’d love to take my game to new levels again.”
So you’ll be ready for selection by the time Origin rolls around?
“Origin is the pinnacle of rugby league and what everyone wants to play,” Lomax replied.
“I’m grateful to have had some success there last year and, as a State, fingers crossed we can do the same again this year.”
When it comes to his training as a fighter, Lomax initially worked out with Volkanovski when the UFC featherweight champ was, for a time, employed at the Dragons as a wrestling coach.
Then from there, the NRL star began visiting Volk’s gym in his own time -- training up to three times a week on grappling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and striking.
“So I’ve been fortunate enough to have a bit to do with Volk and his coach Joey Lopez,” he explained.
“And I’ve learned heaps from them.
“Being down in Wollongong for years, I’ve had the luxury of being able to train with Volk, look at how sees fights, the way he goes about his work, and do some sparring.
“I love how hard they train and was learning every time I went in there.
“So I was going to the gym as much as I could.”
Elsewhere, Lomax also gave his thoughts on how Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena can create history in Sunday’s hyped UFC 315 title headliner against welterweight champ Belal Muhammad.
Should ‘Della’ win, it will be the first time in UFC history that two Australians have held world titles simultaneously.
“I love the way Jack fights,” Lomax said.
“He’s an unbelievable boxer, mixes up his stance … that’s what I love the most.
“Obviously, Belal is a pressure fighter and will look to walk him down.
“Is very particular in his game plans too, likes the takedowns.
“So I think Jack just has to get behind his jab and box.
“I particularly like when he’s fighting orthodox because his left jab is so much snappier, I feel.
“When he is standing there jabbing, it’s a lot like Volk, especially in his last fight which I believe he won off his jab.
“And Jack has that dog in him.
