Alexander Volkanovski went from being one of the most-hated fighters on the UFC roster to the most-beloved.
With five title defenses and an active strength of schedule against champs Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev, it’s hard to imagine why anybody would hold a grudge towards the former UFC Featherweight Champion.
From Dec. 2019 to Feb. 2024, Alexander Volkanovski reigned as a model champion, successfully defending his title multiple times against Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, The Korean Zombie and Yair Rodriguez.
Despite his overarching success, there was a certain point of time where Volkanovski went the most unappreciated with many fans praying on his downfall.
Alexander Volkanovski most-hated after Max Holloway rematch
The dark days in Volkanovski’s UFC title reign began after his split decision victory over beloved former champion and one of the greatest featherweights of all time in Max Holloway at UFC 251.
This was Volkanovski’s second win over Holloway, the champion beating his rival in a more decisive fashion the first time at UFC 245.
The UFC world was in an uproar with two judges scoring the fight for Volkanovski, many believing Holloway had done enough to take the first three rounds off of Volkanovski.
For many months, Volkanovski wouldn’t hear the end of it.
His social media was flooded with comments of ‘3-2 Holloway’, fans labeling him a paper champion.
Volkanovski started to earn more respect after defeating Brian Ortega and The Korean Zombie in his next title defenses but the question was still being asked: was Volkanovski the best featherweight on the planet or was it Holloway?
Volkanovski answered all that and more in his trilogy fight with Max Holloway at UFC 276 on July 2, 2022.
Alexander Volkanovski 50-45’ed Max Holloway in trilogy
Holloway didn’t look like he lost his step after losses to Volkanovski, bouncing back with vintage wins over Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodriguez. However, Volkanovski was simply two steps ahead of the Fighting Hawaiian in their final meeting.
Over the course of five rounds, Volkanovski outpointed and bloodied Holloway in the striking department.
Volkanovski opened up his toolbox of jabs and leg kicks, giving Holloway a lopsided unanimous decision loss, a nasty cut over his eye, and his first-ever 50-45 scorecard.
The three judges scored all five rounds for Volkanovski, putting their rivalry and any doubt as to who’s the better fighter to bed.
Alexander Volkanovski beat a fan-favorite to become one himself, his UFC stardom reaching unimaginable heights after that.
Volkanovski is set to take on Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight title in the main event of UFC 314 on Saturday.
