UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will look to make the first defense of his newly-won title as he takes on the man he defeated to win it.
Volkanovski (21-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) will face former featherweight champ Max Holloway in the co-main event of UFC 251, which takes place Saturday at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
The Australian powerhouse and former rugby player has risen through the featherweight ranks in impressive fashion to prove his worth as a legitimate threat to the world’s best. Then, once he shared the cage with the division’s top names, he proved himself to be every bit their equal as he captured the UFC’s 145-pound title at UFC 245.
Now the man with the target on his back, Volkanovski returns to action as a defending UFC champion for the first time at UFC 251. Ahead of his co-main event clash with Holloway (21-5 MMA, 17-5 UFC) on Saturday, we take a look at the five fights that have helped define the Aussie’s UFC career so far.
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Mizuto Hirota at UFC Fight Night 110 – Jun. 11, 2017
After making a winning start to life in the UFC with a victory at 155 pounds, Alexander Volkanovski dropped down to featherweight and didn’t miss a beat as he scored a dominant decision win over the teak-tough Japanese fighter Mizuto Hirota.
Vokanovski battered Hirota throughout their three round contest, but try as he might, the Aussie just couldn’t quite find a route to a finish against the remarkably durable Hirota in Auckland.
Despite being unable to grab a stoppage win, Volkanovski’s relentless pace showed that, despite the move down to 145 pounds, there were no issues with his gas tank on the way down to his new weight class. His 30-27 scores on all three cards highlighted his dominance, and set the groundwork for a run of results at featherweight that would eventually lead him all the way to the UFC 145-pound strap.
Watch Alexander Volkanovski vs. Mizuto Hirota on UFC Fight Pass
Next up: “Damage” limitation
Darren Elkins at UFC Fight Night 133 – Jul. 14, 2018
Volkanovski extended his remarkable winning run to 15 in a row when he took on the ludicrously durable Darren Elkins in Boise, Idaho in a fight that proved the Aussie was ready for top-drawer opposition.
Elkins had made his name as a fighter who could soak up an inhuman amount of punishment, only to then battle through and prevail. But there was no route to victory against Volkanovski, who hurt Elkins on multiple occasions and kept the pressure on to score a unanimous decision victory over one of the hardiest campaigners in the featherweight division.
It wasn’t one-way traffic, mind you. Elkins dished out plenty of offense during a punishing encounter. But Volkanovski was the stronger, more powerful, more accurate man in the cage that night, as he appeared to have the edge over the UFC veteran in all aspects as he battled his way to victory on the scorecards, with scores of 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.
Volkanovski’s win snapped Elkins’ six-fight win streak and extended his own incredible run to 15 straight wins. More importantly, it showed the Aussie had the sort of gritty fighting spirit needed to bite down on his mouthpiece and fight through a real war. Volkanovski was ready for big-name opposition, and he was given exactly that in his next assignment.
Watch Alexander Volkanovski vs. Darren Elkins on UFC Fight Pass
Next up: A breakout performance
Chad Mendes at UFC 232 – Dec. 29, 2018
Just five months after his grueling war with Elkins, Volkanovski returned to the octagon at UFC 232 and proved beyond any doubt that he was ready for a run at the featherweight title.
Volkanovski took on former title challenger Chad Mendes and turned the tables on the American by doing to “Money” what he’d previously spent his career doing – overpowering his opponent before finishing them in decisive fashion in Inglewood, Calif.
In an exciting clash between two fighters who were well-matched physically, Volkanovski battled back from adversity in the first round to finish Mendes in the second before announcing himself as the latest new contender for the featherweight title.
Mendes struck first during the contest, as he connected with a big right hand that sent Volkanovski to the deck. But the Australian contender quickly rallied and, after getting back to his feet, stunned Mendes with a huge left hook. It proved to be the turning point in the fight as Volkanovski took Mendes’ best punch, then returned fire, with interest, and hurt his man.
Mendes looked to use his powerful wrestling to take Volkanovski off his feet, but he couldn’t hold the Aussie down and, when the pair returned to the stand-up, Volkanovski’s striking took over as he peppered Mendes with snapping jabs and powerful left hands.
Vokanovski grinned at his opponent and waved him on as he backed the American against the fence and started to tee off on the Team Alpha Male athlete. By the mid-point of the second round, Volkanovski had Mendes in trouble and saw his moment to go for the win. A thumping body shot and a powerful right hand decked Mendes, finished the former challenger and announced Volkanovski as a serious threat to the title.
“A lot of people were saying that there is not much left for Max Holloway in this division,” said Volkanovski after the fight. “I think I’m next in line. … There is one more test for Max Holloway. I just showed I’m one of the top guys. Mendes was a tough opponent, he’s explosive, I knew he would bring all his power but I also knew I was going to give it back, and that’s what I did.”
Watch Alexander Volkanovski vs. Chad Mendes on UFC Fight Pass
Next up: Toppling a legend
Jose Aldo at UFC 237 – May 11, 2019
Volkanovski knew he was ready for a shot at the title, but the UFC matchmakers wanted to see him in one more contender fight before pitching him into a title fight.
That test came against the most dominant featherweight champion in UFC history. Jose Aldo was looking to force his way back into contention after back-to-back losses to reigning champ Max Holloway, while Volkanovski knew victory over the Brazilian would punch his ticket to a title shot. He didn’t waste his chance.
Volkanovski headed to Rio and defeated Aldo in the Brazilian’s own back yard in a statement-making performance as he won all three rounds on all three scorecards to eliminate all doubt about his title credentials at UFC 237.
Volkanovski used one of Aldo’s most famous weapons, the leg kick, against him as he hammered the Brazilian with inside leg kicks throughout the first round, and used his prodigious strength to stifle any attempts by Aldo to step inside and rip shots to his body.
The leg-kick heavy attack continued through the second round as Volkanovski built up a healthy lead on the scorecards heading into the final round, where his excellent cardio meant he was able to maintain the upper hand, even when the Brazilian started to chase the finish late on.
It gave Volkanovski another defining victory as he sent Aldo to the first decision loss of his career and pushed himself to the front of the queue to face Holloway for the title.
Watch Alexander Volkanovski vs. Jose Aldo on UFC Fight Pass
Next up: Claiming the strap
Max Holloway at UFC 245 – Dec. 14, 2019
By the time Volkanovski was handed his shot at the featherweight title, many were suggesting that Holloway was close to being the greatest champion in the division’s history. But the Australian was battle-tested, in the form of his life and ready to defeat “Blessed” for the belt.
Their matchup at UFC 245 last December saw Volkanovski “out-Holloway” Holloway, as he pushed a relentless pace on the Hawaiian and outstruck him over five rounds to capture the title with scores of 48–47, 48–47 and 50–45.
Just as he did against Aldo, Volkanovski utilized his leg kicks to stifle Holloway’s movement and footwork, then loaded up with heavy-handed combinations as he dominated the center of the cage and kept the usually-aggressive Hawaiian on the back foot throughout the matchup.
Volkanovski’s ability to switch up his attack and read his opponent’s movement meant he always looked one move ahead of Holloway during a superb, controlled performance as he captured the title with a fine performance in Las Vegas.
Now he’s set to face Holloway once again in an eagerly-anticipated rematch on “UFC Fight Island” on Saturday night.
Watch Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway on UFC Fight Pass
