LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 14: (L-R) Alexander Volkanovski of Australia touches gloves with Max … [+]
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The first meeting between Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski ended with Volkanovski walking out of the octagon with the UFC featherweight title around his waist. On Saturday, Holloway looks to reverse that outcome when the two meet in the co-main event of UFC 251 from “Fight Island.”
Volkanovski was 13-1 when he joined the UFC. His first four scraps under the promotion’s banner took place in Australia or in New Zealand. With that, it seemed as if Volkanovski’s destiny was to be someone the UFC called when it traveled to Australasia.
That changed in July 2018 when Volkanovski faced Darren Elkins in Boise, Idaho. Volkanovski won that fight by decision. That victory launched him into the top 10 of the division.
The Australian then defeated Chad Mendes and ex-champ Jose Aldo to earn a shot at Holloway. Volkanovski defeated Holloway via decision.
Holloway began his UFC career in 2012. His first fight with the promotion came on short notice against Dustin Poirier. Poirier won via submission. Holloway went 3-2 in his next five fights. After a loss to Conor McGregor in 2013, Holloway went on an incredible run of 13 straight wins. During that time he won the featherweight title and defended it three times.
Holloway’s streak of victories ended when he moved up to lightweight to face Poirier in a matchup for the interim 155-pound belt. Poirier won the contest by decision.
Holloway, who still held the featherweight crown, returned to the 145-pound weight class following his loss to Poirier. He defeated Frankie Edgar by decision before he lost his belt to Volkanovski.
UFC 251 is headlined by three title fights. In the main event, welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Alexander Volkanovski faces Max Holloway in the co-main event. The other title fight is Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo for the vacant bantamweight crown.
How To Watch Or Live Stream UFC 251:
UFC 251 takes place Saturday, July 11 at Fight Island on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The pay-per-view card streams on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+ and early prelims on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.
UFC 251 Pay-Per-View Card (ESPN+):
Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway
Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo
Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant
UFC 251 Prelims (ESPN/ESPN+):
Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jiri Prochazka
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Muslim Salikhov
Makwan Amirkhani vs. Danny Henry
Leonardo Santos vs. Roman Bogatov
UFC 251 Early Prelims (ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass):
Raulian Paiva vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov
Karol Rosa vs. Vanessa Melo
Davey Grant vs. Martin Day
