Alexander Volkanovski defends title, beats Max Holloway for the third time

Alexander Volkanovski established his dominance in the 145 pounds featherweight division AT UFC 276. The Australian mixed martial artist and the reigning UFC Featherweight champion was ‘in his zone’ on Saturday. Alexander Volkanovski beat his long-time rival Max Holloway with unanimous scores of 50-45.

The UFC stats showed Alexander Volkanvoski’s definite dominance in the match which was not so definite when watching the bout. Volkanovski connected 204 strikes while Holloway only managed to strike the featherweight champion one hundred sixty one times.

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This was the third bout between these two fierce competitors. The T-Mobile Arena of Las Vegas was jam packed to witness the final chapter of the ‘trilogy’. Max Holloway, the American pro mixed-martial artist was hoping to break the winning streak of Volkanovski but the 33-year old Aussie had other plans.

Volkanovski beat Holloway for the third time. The previous two victories came at UFC 245 and UFC 251. The first two bouts between Volkanovski and Holloway were pretty close, especially the rematch that took place at UFC 251 in July 2020. There was a faction of UFC fans who believed that Max Holloway was the ‘true Featherweight champion’.

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The third encounter on Saturday put a stamp of authority on Alexander’s dominance over Holloway. ‘’ Look, Max Holloway is an absolute beast. The intensity he brings is what I needed. I had to get him out of here, I knew I’m the best, I just needed to remind myself’’ said Alexander Volkanovski after retaining the featherweight title on Saturday.

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This was Volkanovski’s 22 consecutive wins, 12 in the UFC itself. The undisputed featherweight champion of the world is now eyeing for the lightweight belt. Recently, Volkanovski said in an interview ‘’ I want to be busy, I don’t think this division can keep me busy. I want to move up’’