Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski re-matches with Max “Blessed” Holloway as the two fought each other in a close bout at UFC 245 last December when Volkanovski won via unanimous decision to take Holloway’s belt.
Volkanovski utilized low kicks to great effect in the first fight and it will be interesting to see how Holloway adjusts. Volkanovski is an incredible 21-1 in MMA overall, with a perfect 8-0 mark in the UFC. Holloway won the featherweight belt with a TKO victory over Jose Aldo in June 2017. Holloway defended the belt 3 times. However, he has lost 2 of 3, including his last fight against Volkanovski as well as an interim UFC lightweight championship fight against Dustin Poirier.
Round 1
A few nice leg kicks early for Volkanovski. Holloway lands a sharp front kick. Nice uppercut from Max. A couple hard inside low kicks for Volkanovski. Hard outside low kick for Volkanovski. Good hard straight right by Holloway. Nice right hand over the top for Volkanovski. Good spinning back kick by Max. Then Max knocks down Volkanovski briefly with a high kick that catches Volkanovski on the top of the head.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Two good inside low kicks for Volkanovski. Holloway with a sharp combination. A couple nice low kicks for Max after Volkanovski landed one of his own. Good straight right from Max. Holloway with another knockdown in Round 2 after he lands a stiff uppercut late in the round
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
The fighters trading kicks early in the round. Nice jumping knee lands for Max. Left hand lands for Volkanovski. Good hard left hook by Volkanovski lands to Max’s head. Max defends the takedown attempt by Volkanovski but ends up being controlled along the fence in the clinch. The fighters disengage and Max lands a knee to the body. Nice jab lands for Volkanovski.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Volkanovski
Round 4
Good snapping jab for Volkanovski. Hard outside low kick for Volkanovski. Nice uppercut for Max . A good jab by Volkanovski. Volkanovski scores the takedown but Max is up quickly. Volkanovski seeks the takedown but Max defends well and counters with uppercuts and hooks. Holloway lands a nice right hand.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Volkanovski
Round 5
Nice uppercut and hook combination by Max. Volkanovski seeks the takedown but defended well by Holloway. Nice right hand lands for Volkanovski. Holloway with quick hands as he lands a nice combination to the head. Nice 1-2 for Max that lands hard. Volkanovski hits a takedown but Max gets up quickly. Good left hook and low kick combination by Volkanovski. Volkanovski looks for another takedown but once more is stuffed by Max. And another Volkanovski takedown attempt stuffed by Max. Volkanovski scores a late but rather inconsequential takedown as he lands it with seconds left and is unable to do any damage.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Holloway
Official decision – Split decision victory for Volkanovski (48-47 Holloway, 48-47 Volkanovski, 48-47 Volkanovski)