Alex Volkanovski has ended his rivalry with Max Holloway decisively, retaining his featherweight title within the co-main occasion of UFC 276.
In some of the anticipated fights of the 12 months, it will be the Aussie who proved too robust, incomes himself a dominant unanimous determination victory and leaving the challenger bloodied.
The three judges scored the competition 50-45 inside a packed T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas.
Holloway stepped into the ring with the most well-liked track on the planet proper now: up that hill by Kate Bush, earlier than the champion strutted confidently into the ring on the Aussie traditional, Underneath.
In an thrilling first spherical, Volkanovski landed the brunt of heavy punches, however the challenger got here again late with a flurry of excellent counterpunches.
The champion regarded just like the quicker of the 2 fighters within the first spherical, not permitting Holloway to get too shut.
Brief left by Volk lands. Max is struggling to discover a place to land. Volk is sharp. Holloway lastly lands a giant proper hand. They combine it up. The gang warms as much as them. Volkanovski’s robust spherical. 10-9 Volkanovski.
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) July 3, 2022
Volkanovski pinned Holloway halfway by means of the second spherical earlier than elbowing arduous into the fence. Moments later, Volkanovski landed an excellent proper hand that break up his opponent on the forehead line.
Every little thing is ok for Volkanovski to date. It is simply quicker in each means and Max’s face is dripping with blood. 10-9 Volkanovski (20-18 Volkanovski)
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) July 3, 2022
The Aussie star remained defensively robust all through the third spherical, dodging a flurry of punches and countering nicely to open up Holloway’s in the reduction of, who continued to battle with Volkanovski’s tempo.
One other proper and left from Volkanovski touchdown on Holloway. He’s beginning to run away with this. Holloway lands a knee to the physique and a brief proper, however Volkanovski detonates two bombs to Holloway’s head. 10-9 Volkanovski (30-27 Volkanovski)
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) July 3, 2022
Holloway acquired extra therapy for the nasty lower over his eye between rounds, earlier than getting hit within the clinch with some good pictures from Volkanovski. Spherical 4 was in all probability Holloway’s finest general, however he nonetheless dominated the champion.
They combine it up and Alex closes out the alternate with a two punch mixture. That rattling jab continues to search out his residence for Volk. Max’s head kick barely misses. 10-9 Volkanovski (40-36 Volkanovski)
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) July 3, 2022
Needing a stoppage within the remaining spherical, Holloway could not create a lot stress and Volkanovski wore down the clock completely, even touchdown a couple of extra arduous pictures so as to add insult to harm.
Volkanovski has now received 23 fights in a row, and continues to determine himself as top-of-the-line pound-for-pound fighters on the planet at present.
