Max Holloway is well aware of just how formidable Alexander Volkanovski is. Known as “Blessed,” Holloway holds an 0-3 record against the current UFC featherweight champion, who is set to defend his title at UFC 325 this Saturday night.
Volkanovski kicked off his second reign as the 145-pound champion by defeating Diego Lopez via decision at UFC 314 in Miami last April. The two are now scheduled for a rematch at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, putting the featherweight title once again on the line.
Max Holloway, similarly slated for UFC 325, praises Diego Lopez but predicts that he’ll come up short in his second shot at the championship. The BMF titleholder believes Volkanovski’s edge lies in his elite-level experience. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Holloway noted, “Alex was saying he was going to make this fight look easy, so I feel like he’s got tricks we haven’t seen yet. I think he wants to change the pace and keep the fight dynamic. At the end of the day, I can’t bet against Alex. Diego is a beast — no doubt about that — but I’m leaning towards Alex because of his overall experience.”
Looking ahead, Holloway is preparing for his own title defense. He is set to face Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 326 on March 7. Their first meeting back in 2015 ended quickly with Holloway winning by TKO due to a neck injury to Oliveira just 99 seconds into their bout in UFC Saskatchewan. Oliveira, who was heavily criticized and labeled a “quit fighter” after that fight, now returns after eleven years seeking redemption and a shot at re-entering the lightweight title picture.
Fan Take: This string of high-stakes matchups highlights the evolving landscape of UFC’s featherweight and lightweight divisions, showcasing emerging rivalries and long-awaited rematches. For fight fans, these bouts promise thrilling action and could reshape the title hierarchy, making them essential viewing for anyone following the sport’s top-tier competition.
