A. Volkanovski (left) defeated M. Holloway (right) in the UFC 251. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In the co-main fight of UFC 251, held this Saturday (11), in Abu Dhabi, Alexaner Volkanovski once again surpassed the former featherweight champion (up to 65,7kg.), Max Holloway and retained the division title. In a balanced confrontation, the Australian was at a disadvantage in the first rounds, but managed to recover and defeated his opponent in a split decision by the judges.
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The confrontation between Alexander and Holloway was a personal challenge for the Australian, who wanted to prove that the victory in the last meeting, in December, was not luck. During five rounds, Volkanovski showed a lot of resistance to withstand his opponent's attacks and showed that he deserves to own the belt.
Expectations were high to observe Max's performance, since, in the week of the confrontation, the Hawaiian revealed that he prepared using video calls only. The athlete, however, showed that he was in shape and came close to knocking out his opponent in the first round.
Throughout the clash, however, the Hawaiian ended up allowing his opponent to rise and ended up declared the loser in the decision of two of the three judges.
The fight
The dispute began with the champion taking the initiative with a sequence of low kicks. Holloway tried to find the distance and saved his strikes. Max tried to free himself and connected a combination of punches and kicks. The Hawaiian provoked the Australian, stating that his blows had no effect. Alexander was unfazed and continued to score on his rival with jabs and kicks. Holloway found a straight shot, which shook the champion. In the final seconds, Max knocked his opponent down again with a kick to the head, but there was no more time.
After the pressure in the opening round, Holloway continued to pursue his opponent in the second stage. Betting on sequences of punches and kicks, the Hawaiian was superior and did not allow Alexander to impose his rhythm. Max and Volkanovski continued testing each other in the center of the Octagon with jabs. The duel remained tense. In the final minute, the Hawaiian continued to have the advantage, but was faced with the Australian's great resistance in absorbing the attacks. Almost at the end, Max took down his opponent again after an uppercut, which caused the Australian to fall to his knees. The pressure was on Max, but there was no more time.
In the third stage, Alexander took the initiative with a low kick to Holloway's knee. The Hawaiian responded with a flying knee that went empty. The champion came back better in the round and started to loosen up his game. Volkanovski started to put pressure on his opponent on the bars and attempted a takedown, but Max managed to free himself. Less active, the Hawaiian tried to recover his good moments, but needed to be cautious. In the final seconds, the featherweights continued to fight, without much action, until the end of the round.
The fourth round began with the athletes exchanging blows in the center of the octagon. With good punches and kicks, the combatants fought a balanced duel. Halfway through the round, the featherweights shared the center of the octagon when the Australian managed to take down his opponent. Max managed to get up and responded to the action with a right and an upper. In the final seconds, Volkanovski connected a sequence of jabs and rights, which marked Holloway's face, but the timer ran to zero.
In the last round, the fighters saved their strikes and fought a well-studied confrontation. Alexander had a slight advantage, as he connected good jabs and kicks. The Australian walked backwards and was chased by Holloway. The Hawaiian lowered his guard and tried to lure his opponent into a trap, but the champion remained alert. With two minutes remaining, Volkanovski managed an important takedown, but Max got up. Standing, Holloway tried to find a fatal blow, but his attacks went blank. In the final seconds, the champion managed another takedown and the timer reset.
UFC 251 results
MAIN CARD
Welterweight Weight: Kamaru Usman derrotou Jorge masvidal in the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) – Title fight
Feather weight: Alexander Volkanovsky derrotou Max Holloway in the judges' split decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) – Title fight
Bantamweight: Petr yan derrotou José Aldo by knockout at 3m24s of R5 – Title fight
Straw weight: Rose namajunas derrotou Jessica Stacker in the judges' split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Fly weight: Amanda ribas finished paige vanzant with an armbar 2m21s from R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Light Heavyweight: Jiri Prochazka derrotou Volkan oezdemir by knockout 49s into R2
Welterweight Weight: muslim salikhov derrotou Elizeu Capoeira in the judges' split decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Feather weight: mawan amirkhani finished Danny henry with a hand triangle at 3m15s from R1
Lightweight: Leo Santos derrotou Roman Bogatov in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-26, 29-26, 29-26)
Heavyweight: Marcin tybura derrotou Maxim grishin in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-2, 30-27, 30-26)
Fly weight: Raulian paiva derrotou Zhalgas Zhumagulov in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Karol Rosa derrotou Vanessa melo in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Bantamweight: davey grant derrotou Martin Day by knockout at 2m38s of R3
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