Max Holloway’s reign in the UFC’s featherweight division has come to an end.
Considered as one of the greatest featherweight in the history, Holloway marched on his fourth-straight title-defence against Alexander Volkanovski in the co-headliner of UFC 245.
Aiming to become the best MAM fighter in the world, the Hawaiian fan-favourite is planning to win more chips in different weight classes.
“It’s not even the belts that intrigue me.”
“It’s being the best mixed martial arts fighter in the world that intrigues me. Being the best in the world is not somebody who stays at a weight and dominates his weight.”
“He’s willing to go to whatever weight. But I’m not overlooking Alex. When you overlook somebody, you lose.”
“I don’t know about holding belts all at one time,” Holloway said. “But nobody has gotten three at one time.”
“I just turned 28. I can see myself to even getting to 185 and being healthy and getting strong there.”
Spoiler
But looking to spoil Holloway’s journey is Alexander Volkanovski.
The streaking featherweight contender, who has been undefeated in seven UFC fights, vows to dethrone the defending champion, saying it’s his time now to hold the 145-pound belt.
“There’s nothing wrong with looking ahead. It doesn’t mean he’s looking through me. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t think I’m a challenge.”
“We’re always looking ahead. I do the same. Obviously, he’s cutting a lot of weight. Obviously, he’s talking about that.
“But like I said, I’ll make that decision easier for him. Again, I don’t mean that with any cockiness, but I’m confident I’m going to get the win. He was a great champion at featherweight, but now it’s my time.”
“He’s very well-rounded still; obviously he’s got good takedown defense and all that sort of stuff. But I’m going to approach things a little bit different.”
“The things that he does so well and worked for him so well in his past fights are just things I don’t believe are going to work as well with me.”
Stunner
Indeed, Volkanovski showed Holloway that he is the next big thing in the UFC.
In a stunning upset, the 31-year old Australian punched his way to a unanimous decision win to capture the featherweight championship.
Volkanovski has won his 18th straight professional MMA bout, eight victories under the UFC banner.
Check out the highlights from the UFC 245 co-main event below:
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1206087200959541248
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1206088848519905280
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1206090500362645504
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski)