The four simple words Alexander Volkanovski said to Max Holloway that triggered the US fighter
Australian UFC fighter Alexander Volkanovski uttered four simple words to trigger his US rival Max Holloway ahead of their highly anticipated UFC featherweight trilogy bout on Sunday (AEST) in Las Vegas.
The former rugby league prop from the NSW south coast, 33, started the last minute mind games at the weigh-in, declaring ‘you don’t like it.’
It was in reference to Holloway initially turning up the heat on Volkanovski at Thursday’s press conference.
Australian UFC fighter Alexander Volkanovski uttered four simple words at the weigh-in to trigger his US rival Max Holloway ahead of their highly anticipated UFC featherweight trilogy bout on Sunday (AEST) in Las Vegas
When it was the Aussie’s moment to return serve, he didn’t miss verbally.
‘He (Holloway) had stuff to say (yesterday) because he was trying to get in my head, trying to play his games but as I said, I’m leading the dance right now,’ a fired up Volkanovski said.
‘You don’t like it. So that’s what’s happening.
‘It (has) fired me up. It backfired on you. You’re trying to use the crowd to get in my head, you’re just giving me more energy and more fire in the belly to take you out.’
Both men tipped the scales at 65.5kg, in what will be the pair’s third career fight.
If Volkanovski emerges triumphant yet again, he will be viewed as the greatest ever fighter to enter the Octagon, according to some UFC experts.
Brazilian Jose Aldo may boast more title defences, and Ireland’s Conor McGregor more cash, fans and notoriety, but in terms of career performances, ‘Alex the Great’ will stand tallest.
He will also be spurred on by his father Tony, cageside.
‘It means a lot to me,’ Volkanovski told News Corp.
‘Dad has only ever been to my Aussie fights, never a title fight. And to be able to fly him out here business class, give him a good hotel room, good seats, it means a lot.
‘It’s going to be special.’
The pair have entered the Octagon on two previous occasions (pictured in 2019) – and Volkanovski won both bouts
Czech fighter Jiri Prochazka (pictured top) is tipping ‘Blessed’ for the upset in Las Vegas
Despite losing to Volkanovski on two previous occasions – the second in controversial fashion – Holloway remains supremely confident.
‘This guy [is] talking about a three-peat…this guy don’t even got three highlights in the UFC,’ the man known as ‘Blessed’ said.
Holloway has a high profile supporter in fellow fighter Jiri Prochazka, who thinks the American will lower the colours of the Aussie.
Pedro Munhoz, who is fighting Sean O’Malley on the card agreed, predicting a Holloway upset.
‘If Max has a really strong mentality and mindset and doesn’t let those last results play a big part I will go with him,’ he said.
Curtis Blaydes (pictured right) hopes Max Holloway wins, but thinks Alex Volkanovski has the edge
Arnold Allen (above) analysed the last two fights and thinks Holloway will get it done this time
‘Hope he doesn’t believe too much in the fact that the other guy beat him twice even though it was very close on paper.
‘I’m going for Max. He’s aggressive, he’s a killer, I just like his style more.’
English featherweight fighter Arnold Allen previewed the fight on his YouTube channel, concluding: ‘The more I think about it, the more I think Holloway is going to win this one.
‘And I think that he’s going to win a bit more decisively than I thought he won in the second fight.
‘I think he’ll do enough to get the nod from the judges but I could definitely see a finish because he dropped him twice in the first fight, the head kicks were landing, the shots were landing, he just needs to make small adjustments and not take so many leg kicks.’
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