EDMONTON – UFC featherweight Alexander Volkanovski isn’t any less confident of his title hopes after watching champ Max Holloway’s win over Frankie Edgar.
“If you want to come to me like that, I’ve got my power to really put people away,” he told MMA Junkie moments after Holloway’s unanimous decision in the headliner of UFC 240 at Rogers Place.
Volkanovski scratched his head at a pair of 50-45 scorecards for Holloway – the third judge had it 48-47 – and guessed the champ’s jab won the day. He couldn’t pick a winner and said he’d have to watch the whole thing over again.
Of greater concern is what comes next as Holloway (21-4 MMA, 17 -4 UFC) recovers from his third defense of the undisputed belt. Volkanovski (20-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is pushing for a showdown in Australia at UFC 243, but has little recourse if the champ is unready.
“I don’t think he’s too banged up, so I think he could,” Volkanovski said. “But the weight cut was more of a problem. If he wants to do that weight cut again, I don’t know. But hopefully, he does.”
Holloway needed a towel and hit the scale sporting sunken cheeks eight months after an unsuccessful bid for the interim lightweight title. The Hawaiian fighter has joked at conquests in every division but his own and was disqualified from a short-notice lightweight title fight this past year over concerns about his weight cut.
Holloway didn’t appear to be physically damaged after five rounds with Edgar, but Volkanovski is skeptical about the champ’s readiness.
“I believe he could turn it around, or I’m hoping,” the contender said. “It’s up to him. Let’s fill out this 60,000-seat stadium. We could break records. I want to be a part of it. Hopefully, Max does too.”
Volkanovski is convinced he won’t wither as Holloway pours on the pressure.
“If they want to do all the work for me, so be it,” he said. “Let me sit on my punches and throw some bombs.”
For complete coverage of UFC 240, check out the UFC results.
