Australia has a new UFC champion.
Alex Volkanovski put on the performance of a lifetime on his way to a unanimous decision win over Max Holloway at UFC 245 in Las Vegas.
Volkanovski picked up scores of 48-47, 48-47, 50-45 on the judges’ scorecards.
Volkanovski was clinical for the duration of the fight. He put the pressure on Holloway and did not fade away as former challengers had in the past.
A perfect game plan saw Volkanovski chip away at the lead leg of Holloway, disrupting his usual ability to constantly switch stances.
Those leg kicks 😳 #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/RCLbzKf4xf
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) December 15, 2019
“We’ve had great champions in this division, Aldo and Max, and I promise to be a great champion too,” Volkanovski said in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
“Max has a good jab, he’s really good at distance, he’s good at sucking you into his range.
“But I’ve got a great corner. Sometimes I went into his range and they had to pull me out. I’ve got that good (fight) IQ.”
The win continues Volkanovski’s undefeated run in the UFC and extends his winning streak to 18. With wins over Chad Mendes, Jose Aldo and now Max Holloway, Volkanovski has not only become the UFC champion but is now in the discussion of best featherweight fighter of all time.
The win brings his professional record to 20-1.
#ANDNEW! @AlexVolklanovski is bringing the belt back to AUSTRALIA! #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/S0M9liHtyr
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) December 15, 2019
“I’m only 28, I’m only getting better. I’ll be back,” Holloway said post-fight.
“I felt good. At the end of the day, it is what it is.”
The loss brings Max Holloway’s professional record to 21-5.
