Volkanovski Wants A Second Fight With Holloway

By Fight Sports Mar 23, 2020

Pro wrestling icon Ric Flair said it best: “To Be The Man, You’ve Got To Beat The Man.” For years, Max Holloway dominated the featherweight division of the UFC, picking up the mantle that was left behind by Jose Aldo. At UFC 245 in December, Alexander Volkanovski beat “Blessed” for the Featherweight Title.

Now, “The Great” is looking to secure his legacy once and for all.

Speaking with TMZ, Volkanovski (21-1) discussed the idea of facing off against Holloway (21-5) one more time. The fight between the two ended in unanimous decision, with the scores a close 50-45, 48-47, 48-47. The champion wants to shut off any doubt by those that believe he is a paper champion.

“I want that fight [with Max], cause there’s no clear #1 contenders, and I just think that he’s a great champion,” Volkanovski stated. And, for me, the biggest fight in my career right now to solidify myself as the best featherweight of all-time, and one of the greatest of all-time.“I go and take out Max twice in [his] prime, ya know, people are gonna give me the respect I deserve.”

Holloway won the interim UFC Flyweight Title off of Anthony Pettis in 2016. He unified the belt against Aldo and beat him a second time for the regular belt, both times in 2017. The 28-year-old defended it two more times before losing to Volkanovski. Volkanovski hasn’t lost a bout since 2013, and is 8-0 in the UFC.

If the rematch were to take place, the ideal spot would be UFC 251, which is currently set to take place in Perth Australia on June 6. It is unknown the current situation regarding events due to the coronavirus, but it appears the event would be on at the moment. Holloway has been hoping for a Hawaii card, but the champion’s first fight in his home area since 2018 would a huge moment for him and the UFC.

Volkanovski is currently healing from a broken hand he suffered during the Holloway fight. Out of action for a few months already, Volkanovski believes this is the right time for the fight to come to fruition.

“I want to fight on home soil in Perth,” Volkanovski continued.” I don’t want to wait around until there’s a clear number one. I think Max does deserve it, he was a great champion. The UFC wants it, Australian fans want it and I think everyone else will want that, so I reckon we’ll make it happen.”