- Australian torches Holloway with leg kicks as he enacts perfect game plan to take unanimous decision
- Volkanovski snaps Holloway's 14-fight featherweight win streak
Alexander Volkanovski secured a huge upset as he snapped Max Holloway's 14-fight win streak at featherweight to claim his title at UFC 245.
The Australian torched Holloway with a UFC record number of leg kicks in front of his watching City Kick-boxing teammate Israel Adesanya, claiming a unanimous decision on the judges' scorecards.
Two judges scored it 48-47 for Volkanovski, and the third had it 50-45. The Auckland-based gym now has two UFC champions as its reputation continues to soar under the guidance of head coach Eugene Bareman.
Volkanovski sank to his knees in tears as he was announced the winner. "I'm telling you, I'm gonna stay champion a long time. Australia, I'm bringing it back home, baby," he said in his post-fight interview in the Octagon.
He has DONE it!@AlexVolkanovski derails the Blessed Express at #UFC245! pic.twitter.com/ekpfAWeQ3N
" UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2019
Volkanovski improved his record to 21-1, while Holloway sank to 21-5, suffering his first defeat at featherweight since Conor McGregor beat him in 2013.
"I'm only 28, I'm only getting better, I'll be back boys," the Hawaiian said. "I felt good, there's three guys whose decision mattered. It didn't go my way. At the end of the day, it is what it is."
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Volkanovski's total strike output was superior in every round. "The Great" targeted Holloway from the off with inside leg kicks and the Hawaiian's movement certainly looked limited, with his lead left leg reddening up in the second round.
Holloway's corner wrapped it in ice before the third round. Heading into the championship rounds, Holloway had absorbed 46 kicks to his legs, which was already a UFC record.
Volkanovski was clearly dominating, and Holloway started letting loose in the fourth round, but the Australian was smiling and trash talking as he ate some big strikes.
Holloway knew he probably needed a finish in the final round and he poured it on but Volkanovski was able to survive.
"He's (Holloway) got a good jab, he's really good with distance, sucking you into his range," Volkanovski added. "I made sure I had a good corner directing me through. Sometimes I started going into his range, they pulled me up. I'm so composed, I've got a good fight IQ.
"He changed stance, but I'd be lying if I said he wasn't hurting my shins as well. He's a great champion, nothing but respect."
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