LAS VEGAS ( Associated Press) — Alexander Volkanowski defeated Max Holloway for the third time on Saturday night, defending his featherweight title by unanimous decision with a majorly striking performance at UFC 276.
Volkanowski (25-1) extended his winning streak to 22 fights with a commanding performance against former champion Holloway (23-7) at 145 pounds. Volkanovski executed a swift boxing game plan against one of the UFC’s best punchers, quickly bleeding Holloway’s face and continuing to escalate the penalty in the final minutes.
Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya faces Jared Cannonnier in the main event at T-Mobile Arena on the Vegas Strip.
The final match at UFC 276 concluded a memorable trilogy between Volkanovski and Holloway, possibly the two greatest featherweights in UFC history outside of long-reigning winner Jose Aldo. Volkanowski won two highly competitive fights by decision over Holloway in 2019 and 2020, but Holloway won his next two fights to reclaim his claim for another shot at the belt he held for three years.
“Max Holloway is a complete beast,” said Volkanowski. “The intensity that we both had was what I needed. I really needed it. I had to get in my head. ,
The two skilled strikers intelligently kept the fight on foot, but the younger Volkanowski closed the distance to do damage in the first two rounds, notably opening a nasty cut above Holloway’s left eye. Holloway’s answers dwindled as his cuts grew, and Volkanowski patiently racked up scoring shots to leave no doubt in the decision.
Holloway’s entire face was red at the final bell. Volkanowski won each round 50-45 on all three judges’ scorecards.
Before the title fights, Alex Pereira demolished Sean Strickland with a strike in the middle of the first round of victory, which burned the status of Brazil’s kickboxing champion as an immediate title contender.
Brian Barberena stopped Robbie Lawler on strike late in a brutal second round fight in which both veterans absorbed a tremendous amount of punishment. After losing the first round on a two-judge scorecard, Barberena ended it with a prolonged flurry that began with a series of step-in elbows to break the defense of 40-year-old Lawler, who made his debut in 2002. UFC match. ,
On the undercard, Jim Miller set a UFC record with his 24th career win, eliminating Donald Cerrone with a guillotine choke in the second round.
Miller’s historic victory, 38, broke his tie with Cerrone and Andrei Arlovski to mark the UFC career triumph.
“You’re never going to see the (United) numbers in this fight again, but I’m excited to get the W,” Miller said. “That guillotine, I can do it in my sleep. I knew it was only a matter of time.”
Cerrone, 39, retired to the cage after the bout. Cerrone defeated Miller in their first meeting in 2014, but since 2016 Cerrone is now 4–10, with a seven-fight winless streak.
Veteran flyweight Jessica I announced her retirement after losing to Messi Barber. I, who turns 36 this month, fought for the title at £125 in 2019 but has now lost five of six.
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