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UFC 251: Alexander Volkanovski edges Max Holloway in controversial split decision to retain featherweight title
- ‘The Great’ Volkanovski returns from two knock-downs to seal first title defence in the UFC in Fight Island co-main event
- ‘We had 10 rounds and I was able to dominate throughout them,’ says the Australian, though Holloway took the first two here on all three scorecards
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Alexander Volkanovski dug deep to grind out a split decision win in his rematch with former champion Max Holloway at UFC 251 on Sunday, though many felt “Blessed” was robbed by the judges on Fight Island.
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Featherweight champion Volkanovski (22-1), who won the title off Holloway via unanimous decision in December last year, struggled to maintain a foothold in the first three rounds before seeing out the last two to win on the judges’ scorecards (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) in Abu Dhabi. All three judges scored the first two rounds for Holloway, and rounds three and four for Volkanovski.
“It was a tough fight. Max brought it and didn’t really take a backwards step. he made it tough for me earlier in the rounds, but I got the job done. I dug deep when it was 2-2 [rounds] apiece. As I said I wanted to get the finish, but I got the decision and that’s what counts,” the 31-year-old Australian said in his post-fight interview.
Holloway (21-6) had returned to the Octagon with a much different game plan, implementing more kicks and a higher striking output to stifle “The Great” Volkanovski’s devastating kicks he had used to perfection in their first outing. Holloway was seen telling UFC analyst Jon Anik “what I tell you guys about Zoom?” after the fight, referring to his comments that all his coaching was done via video calls.
“Blessed” Holloway twice knocked Volkanovski down with impressive counter high kicks, causing the Australian to attempt several takedowns – three out of seven of which were successful.
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