Max Holloway's quest to regain the UFC featherweight title faces a significant hurdle as long as Alexander Volkanovski remains at the helm
Max Holloway’s quest to regain the UFC featherweight title faces a significant hurdle as long as Alexander Volkanovski remains at the helm of the division. While Holloway’s dominance against other featherweight opponents is undeniable. His three losses to the current champion have left UFC president Dana White skeptical about the prospect of a historic fourth fight between the two elite featherweights.
Since 2013, Holloway boasts an impressive record of 18-0 in featherweight bouts against fighters not named Volkanovski. Despite his impressive run, Holloway has been unable to overcome the Australian champion in their three previous encounters. Their battles have been fierce, with Volkanovski securing victories by unanimous decision at UFC 145, a split decision at UFC 251, and unanimous decision at UFC 276.
Holloway’s recent performances have showcased his undeniable skills and solidified his position as a top contender in the featherweight division. He handed Arnold Allen his first loss in the promotion and delivered a stunning third-round knockout against “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung at UFC Fight Night 225 in Singapore.
Yet, Holloway’s ultimate goal of regaining the featherweight title remains complicated due to his rivalry with Volkanovski. Despite Holloway’s exceptional capabilities, Volkanovski has consistently proved to be a significant challenge for the Hawaiian fighter, raising doubts about the potential success of a fourth title fight between them.
UFC president Dana White acknowledges the undeniable talent of both fighters but is hesitant to endorse a fourth showdown between Holloway and Volkanovski. White emphasizes Volkanovski’s current dominance and suggests that the gap between the two fighters is too wide to warrant another meeting.
White stated, “I just think that Volkanovski is so dominant right now. I mean, there are people who believe he beat Islam (Makhachev). I don’t know if you throw Max at him again at this point in Max’s career and I don’t love it.”
Volkanovski’s remarkable track record supports White’s assessment. With only one loss since his fourth professional fight in 2013, Volkanovski has solidified his status as one of the division’s most formidable fighters. His recent victory over interim champion Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 demonstrated his resilience and determination to maintain his reign at the top.
While Holloway continues to showcase his prowess and determination. White’s reservations about a fourth fight underscore the challenges he faces. Holloway’s plan to work his way back to title contention by taking on other contenders and earning another shot at gold is a testament to his fighting spirit.
Although Holloway’s aspirations for a fourth title fight might be met with skepticism from the UFC president for now, Holloway’s history of perseverance suggests that he won’t be dissuaded. As he navigates the complexities of the division and seeks opportunities to prove himself. Fans can only wonder whether a fourth encounter with Volkanovski lies in the cards.
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