'Alexander the Great': Aussie stuns UFC with historic title triumph
Praise has been flying in for Australia's new UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski after a dominant performance over Max Holloway to claim the championship.
The 31-year-old from Windang on the NSW south coast vowed to reign the division for a long time after producing a masterclass to topple the Hawaiian fighter.
He became the first Australian-born fighter to win a UFC title, with New Zealand-born Sydney-raised Robert Whittaker previously holding the middleweight title.
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Volkanovski joins a select group to have won the featherweight title after Jose Aldo, who he beat in his previous fight, Conor McGregor and Holloway.
Fans on social media praised “Alexander the Great” for his remarkable performance and year to date.
There's a new featherweight champion. Alexander Volkanovski.
This was predictable.
I remember after Adesanya beat Silva, people shrugged. Same kind of reaction after Volk beat Aldo.
But those CKB boys are something special.
Say it out loud: those guys are ahead of the game.— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) December 15, 2019
There are only two fighters to hold wins over both Jose Aldo and Max Holloway. Conor McGregor and Alexander Volkanovski. That's some elite company. #UFC245
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) December 15, 2019
Alexander Volkanovski chopped down Max Holloway’s legs like a tree and took his belt.😁❤️🙌🏼 #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/cFooYZpNKh
— Mario Yamasaki (@refyamasaki) December 15, 2019
This is an incredible coincidence. In May of 2013 both Kamaru Usman & Alexander Volkanovski, for two different promotions in two different parts of the world, suffered their only career loss. Since then, they've both gone on runs that have lead them to UFC Championships. #UFC245
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) December 15, 2019
Alexander the Great 🙌 https://t.co/zCdXRcv4i5
— Courtney Rhys Ward (@CortRhysWard) December 15, 2019
Damn. Great job Alexander the Great #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/P5khV1mptv
— Holding Hands & Throwing Fists (@hands_fists) December 15, 2019
Volkanovski is also confident he can beat Max Holloway a second time and says the doubters provided motivation for his stunning upset win.
Prior to the bout plenty of pundits spoke respectfully of his qualities but picked Holloway, who had won 14 straight fights as a featherweight.
"There were a lot of doubters, I ended up looking at a Pros Picks and not one of them picked me, not one, but I used that as motivation, I love it," Volkanovski said.
"They'll pick me next time."
He added: "Man, you're always going to get doubters no matter what.
"If we have that rematch I guarantee you people are going to be doubting again.
"I had a lot of people support me and I got to prove them right and I proved the doubters wrong."
Volkanovski said his shins felt a little sore but his gameplan worked well and praised his corner for their advice.
Volkanovski said Holloway deserved a rematch and both he and UFC boss Dana White suggested it could work in Australia.
And he is confident he will also get the better of Holloway a second time.
"I'll be better prepared the next time, we know what works, we're going to get even better," Volkanovski said.
"He might think he'll get me figured out again but I'm just too powerful."