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Alexander Volkanovski has already built up a nice resume for himself, winning 17 straight fights, including all seven of his bouts for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Among his notable victories during that span is a knockout win over two-time title contender, Chad Mendes, and a unanimous decision win over ex-145 pound champion, Jose Aldo.
But the Australian-born fighter isn’t done, or content, yet.
As he gears up for his first-ever shot at the division title when he faces champion Max Holloway at UFC 245 this Saturday night (Dec. 14, 2019), not only is he on his quest for gold, but he aims to be known as one of the best 145 pound fighters to ever step foot inside the cage.
“I took out Chad Mendes and Aldo is good but this is the fight. This is the champ. Especially on a card like this. This is when everyone will know my skill and discuss me as one of the best featherweights of all time,” he explained to BJPenn.com.
“If I go and do that, taking out legends of the sport, you can’t argue I am one of the best featherweights of all time. I plan on taking out No.1 contenders after. I need to win, I need to be the champ and be the No. 1 pound-for-pound to provide for my family. If the legacy is there it’s there,” he added.
Max has stated in the past that a move up to Lightweight is inevitable, despite the fact that he hasn’t lost at 145 pounds in six years. In his lone 155-pound bout in that span, “Blessed” came up short against Dustin Poirier at UFC 236 last year.
Still, Holloway’s days as a Featherweight could be numbered, as “The Great” is determined to expedite his move up.
“He has thrown out moving up, he is a big boy, so it is hard to make that weight,” he said. “I don’t want to sound cocky, once he feels the power and what I do Dec. 14, I think he is going to realize his smartest move is to move up. I’m going to make his decision easier on Dec. 14. I’m ready to steal that show and make that night about me,” he concluded.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 245 fight card this weekend RIGHT HERE, starting with the Fight Pass/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN 2 at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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