Alexander Volkanovski claims stunning UFC win over Max Holloway
Alex Volkanovski has produced one of the upsets of the year in Australian sport, defeating UFC featherweight king Max Holloway in a unanimous decision. The new champion says he won’t be relinquishing his crown anytime soon.
Boxing/MMA
Don't miss out on the headlines from Boxing/MMA. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- How NBA prodigy saved Alexander Volkanovski’s career
Volkanovski: Life as the great Australian fighting underdog
Alex Volkanovski has gone and changed his life in Las Vegas the only way he knows how – slowly, relentlessly, and through grit.
In one of the great upsets of the 2019 Australian sports calendar, 31-year-old Volkanovski has sensationally defeated UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway via a unanimous points decision at UFC 245.
Despite entering T-Mobile Arena an overwhelming underdog – and only 15 months after fearing chronic back pain was going to prematurely retire him — the former Wollongong concreter produced a performance that was equal parts killer and chess master over five gruelling rounds.
Eventually, winning with all three judges: 48/47, 48/47, 50/45.
Better, Volkanovski won the fight as he lives.
The Shellharbour native slowly, but deliberately, taking round after round from arguably the greatest featherweight who ever lived with a series of low leg kicks -- the same ones, coincidentally, he used to upset Brazilian great Jose Aldo to earn this title shot.
“So I’ve taken out two GOATs back to back,” Volkanovski said afterwards.
“And now I’m going to be champion for a long time.”
And sure some will doubt that.
Just as so many have always doubted.
.
Like a few years back, when after trying unsuccessfully for years to crack a spot with the UFC, close friends started asking Volkanovski’s wife Emma exactly when her man was going to quit the fight game, get a real job and take care of his young family.
Or even a little over a year back, when the Shellharbour native was being plagued by back injuries so bad, he feared one more wrong move in the gym would see him wind up in a wheelchair.
But still, this fighter dubbed ‘The Great’ endured.
MORE UFC NEWS:
Just as it was against Holloway.
Asked afterwards how he continued to believe when so few others have, Volkanovski said: “You’re always going to get doubters.
“Just like tonight against Max.
“And when we have that re-match I guarantee they’re going to be doubting again.
“But that confidence, man … it comes from hard work.”
While Holloway said afterwards he thought the result was his -— “I felt I was having success from midway through the second round, then through the third, fourth and fifth” – Volkanovski undeniably earned the decision.
Entering T-Mobile Arena to the Game Of Thrones theme, the father-of-two then laughed, high fived the crowd, even embraced fans -- one of whom had an Australian flag draped over the walkway.
Even when Holloway entered, the Aussie was still nodding and clapping.
Then smiling to his corner.
Just like your mate at the pub before delivering his punchline.
And so it proved.
Indeed, while the champ was undeniably in the fight – a truth existing in those the welts on both sides of Volkanovski’s face – Holloway simply had no answer for the former Warilla Gorilla who kicked, pressured, threw, then kicked some more.
A fella who, come the finish, looked at the new chunk of gold around his waist and shouted: “Australia, I’m bringing this home baby.”