UFC featherweights Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski and Max Holloway have enjoyed one of the most fiercely contested sporting contests of our time. The champ, Volkanovski, is currently 2-0 against Holloway, but the pair have largely remained respectful of one another.
Until now. Max Holloway started taking half-joking shots at the champ at the UFC 276 pre-fight press conference, which the usually mild-mannered Volkanovski took with his usual good humor.
Volkanovski and Holloway Get Heated: “Oh, Max Came to Play!”
“Man, you guys are going to find out Saturday night. Talking about three, this guy is talking about a three-peat or something — this guy don’t even got three highlights in the UFC.” Volkanovski cracked a smile, laughing “Oh, Max came to play! I love it!”
Holloway continued, taking particular umbrage with Volkanovski’s recent discussion of the damage he had taken in his MMA career. Max Holloway, who described himself as “the best boxer in the UFC”, has absorbed over 1800 strikes in his career, although he has never been knocked down or knocked out in a fight. All that damage adds up, and Alexander Volkanovski has made no secret of his desire to be the first one to finish Holloway.
“All week, all I’ve heard is you guys talking about damage. We’re talking about damage here. All you guys, damage this, damage that. I’m known for taking damage and he’s known for not giving it, so let’s get it.”
Volkanovski fired back. “Mate, we’re going to see Saturday night, right? That’s the beauty of it. That’s why you can’t spar anymore, because you’re punched in the head too much.”
Alexander Volkanovski went on to praise his opponent, offering his respect to his old rival. “I’m going to be straight up: He’s getting another chance because he was being stubborn and made sure no one else got that No. 1 spot. So he gets his shot.
He did exactly what I would do if I was in the same position. So he’s going to have my respect for that, but that’s it. It’s just a third chance and he ain’t going to get it.” Holloway shot back “The only thing I respect about him is his cooking show!”
This inspired the Vegas crowd – long referred to by Hawaiian Holloway as “the ninth island” into a frenzy. Alexander Volkanovski was unfazed, and once more delcared his intention to move up to 155 pounds and claim a second UFC title.
“Hey, I love it. You can use them as much as you want. Saturday night, it ends for you. That’s it. … 2-0, baby. Remember that, 2-0 — 2-0, about to be 3-0.
I’m definitely [jumping up] to that division. I want to hold two belts. I’ve got goals. I always work, I always want to level up, all new challenges. I’ve got a challenge Saturday, but I’m going pass it again, do work, and that’s it. And then I’m going to call for that double champ status.”
Who do you see winning on Saturday night? Let us know in the comments.
