But to his pleasant surprise it has.

The mixed martial artist romped home to win the people’s choice award in the Illawarra Mercury sportsperson of the year awards.

Volkanovski dominated the domestic scene for many years but was denied a shot at the big time too many times for his liking before finally making his UFC debut in Melbourne in November.

But it was worth the wait for the man once known as the Hulk, who earned an impressive stoppage win over his Japanese opponent Yasuke Kasuya.

Volkanovski, who changed his fighting moniker to ‘The Great’ ahead of his first appearance on the biggest stage in honour of his Greek and Macedonian heritage, was ‘’over the moon’’.

He was similarly ‘’ecstatic’’ when told of his latest success.

‘’That’s unbelievable. I’m so thankful to all my fans,’’ Volkanovski said.

The UFC debutant earned almost 28 per cent of the vote to claim the people’s choice gong ahead of Shell Cove’s world lawn bowling singles champion Karen Murphy and Asian Confederations football player-of-the-year Caitlin Foord.

‘’This [award] is the icing on the cake,’’ Volkanovski said.

‘’It has been a massive year for me. Finally securing that dream to fight in the UFC and then to win my debut fight...that was fantastic.

‘’I think I’m the only one from the Illawarra who has ever fought in the UFC and had some success. It’s a big achievement and I’m very proud of that.’’

But the 28-year-old is already looking ahead and planning to kick on to bigger and better things in 2017.

‘’It [2016] was a breakout year for me but I still have a lot to achieve. When I started I said making the UFC was not enough – I want to go on and win a title,’’ he said.

That realistic goal has been made ‘’easier’’ with Volkanovski to drop down in weight and fight in the featherweight division.

‘’I’m on a 11-win fighting streak at the moment. I hope to add another four or five wins in 2017,’’ he said.