Alexander Volkanovski ended Max Holloway’s remarkable run as featherweight champ tonight, as he outscored “Blessed” with leg kicks and punches at UFC 245.
Round one
Volkanovski came out firing leg kicks and Holloway pressed forward. Volkanovski scored with a nice one-two. Volkanovski planted a couple more calf kicks and Holloway stayed busy with his jab. Volkanovski just missed with a big left hook and Holloway countered with his own calf kick. Volkanovski clinched up moments later but was unable to take the fight down.
Round two
Volkanovski fired a couple more leg kicks to begin round two. More exchanges ensued, but Volkanovski continued to plant kicks to the lead calf of Holloway. The latter fired in a nice flurry mid-round, but Volkanovski continued to land more often. Volkanovski planted a hard right later in the frame and Holloway started fighting southpaw (likely to reduce damage to his left leg).
Round three
Holloway came out in the southpaw stance again in round three. Holloway stuck a nice left not long in. Volkanovski feinted a level change and scored with a hard right. Holloway picked up the pace but Volkanovski continued to counter well. Volkanovski scored with a hard left and another calf kick. The challenger fired in a couple more leg kicks. Holloway fired a spinning kick that missed and before the round ended, he tossed a spinning backfist that didn’t land either.
Round four
Volkanovski continued to land more often in the opening minutes of round four. A couple of minutes in, Volkanovski looked for the clinch but Holloway broke free. Holloway scored with a nice shot but Volkanovski continued to fire in leg kicks. Holloway landed a hard uppercut that Volkanovski ate. Moments later, Holloway dug to the body of Volkanovski. The fighters continued to chirp at each other. Holloway stuck a nice jab in the final minute that wobbled Volkanovski. At the end of the round, Volkanovski had a hematoma growing under his left eye.
Round five
Holloway continued to pressure to begin round five. Holloway fired in a nice right to the body and moments later, he fired in a big kick to the body. Volkanovski landed yet another, calf kick, and then he clinched up. Both men landed hard rights moments later and Volkanovski changed levels to no avail. Holloway continued to pepper away with his jab and Volkanovski clinched up late into the frame.
All three judges award the fight to Volkanovski, who has ended Holloway’s reign as featherweight champ.
Here are the results so far for UFC 245, which is taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Alexander Volkanovski def. Max Holloway via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 50-45)
Amanda Nunes def. Germaine de Randamie (49-44, 49-46, 49-45) via unanimous decision
Marlon Moraes def. Jose Aldo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Petr Yan def. Urijah Faber via KO (headkick) R3, 0:43
Geoff Neal def. Mike Perry via TKO (kick & punches) R1, 1:30
Irene Aldana def. Ketlen Vieira via KO (punches) R1, 4:51
Omari Akhmedov def. Ian Heinisch via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Matt Brown def. Ben Saunders via KO (punches) R2, 4:55
Chase Hooper def. Daniel Teymur via TKO (strikes) R1, 4:34
Punahele Soriano def. Oskar Piechota via KO (punches) R1, 3:17
Jessica Eye def. Viviane Araujo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Brandon Moreno def. Kai Kara-France via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
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