The last time Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway clashed was on ‘Fight Island’ and in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
That, of course, meant one thing: there were no fans.
This time it’s very different and if Volkanovski didn’t know it already, he would have done it after Thursday’s. [local time] press conference at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
From the moment the UFC featherweight champion took to the stage every time he opened his mouth, the pro-Hawaiian tormented Volkanovski with a heart of boos.
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While Holloway urged the crowd to “let him have it,” Volkanovski only spoke even louder, projecting his voice and gesturing to the audience with a defiant message.
“The boos, everything, the energy here,” Volkanovski said, “I love it.”
“I feed on that. Take it.”
That’s not how most people would have expected it to be on Thursday’s press conference.
Of course, Sean Strickland can take you in a million directions with a single sentence, while Israel Adesanya always has a verbal blow or two in his pocket.
But Volkanovski and Holloway are different.
Even Volkanovsky said Fox Sports Wednesday that there is no “bad blood” between the couple, that this trilogy is not the product of an intense rivalry deeply rooted in hatred.
It’s just the case of two fiercely competitive fighters trying to consolidate their legacies at the helm of the featherweight division.
Holloway, in particular, has been quiet and composed all week, didn’t get too caught up in the drama and even suggested that Khabib Nurmagomedov was referring to Volkanovsky’s cooking show when he said the Australian has more fire that he.
That all changed Thursday at the T-Mobile Arena, whether it was Holloway simply playing for the cameras and pro-Hawaiian fans or an attempt to “get in” Volkanovski’s head as the champion said.
It started with a literal moment of dropping the microphone while Holloway said, “This guy [is] Speaking of three mobs … this guy didn’t even get three highlights in the UFC. “
Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway face off. (Photo by Carmen Mandato / Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
“Max came to play,” a surprised Volkanovski replied.
Nor did he stop here: Holloway was just beginning.
Volkanovsky spoke earlier in the week about how “amazing” it would be to be the first person to destroy Holloway’s “legendary chin”.
Holloway has suffered a lot of damage in the past and that word, damage, is “everything” he has heard in the media before Saturday’s fight.
In this case, however, Holloway said the equation is surprisingly simple.
“I’m known for getting hurt and he’s known for not doing it,” Holloway said.
To which Volkanovsky replied, “Let’s see you on Saturday night.”
“That’s why you can no longer train, you’re blowing too much air,” the Australian added.
“You can use them as much as you want. Saturday night is over for you.”
Volkanovsky accused Holloway of trying to “get in his head” on Thursday, even though the American had another sleigh saved for the Australian when he emerged.
Volkanovsky continued to smile, not letting the garbage conversation get to him. Carmen Mandato / Getty Images / AFPSfont: AFP
“I’m not trying to get in your head,” Holloway said.
“If you tried it would be very easy, have you seen the size?”
All Volkanovsky could do was laugh and ask, “Have you gained a bad weight or something, why are you so crazy?”
The Australian had his theories, suggesting that after running out of ideas after the first two fights, Holloway was now resorting to mental games to try to take the lead sooner.
But an illustrative response from Holloway at the beginning of the press conference said it all when it came to his motivation.
“I told you guys, the UFC has tried to freeze my ass **, putting me in closed places to fight,” Holloway said.
“We’re back here, the ninth island, the volcano is coming, get ready.”
And if Volkanovski is unprepared, if he starts as he did in the first rounds of Holloway’s second fight, the Australian could find himself in a similar position.
Holloway fired. (Photo by Carmen Mandato / Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
But in the midst of all the chaos and rubbish, there was a moment that stood out among the rest, where Volkanovsky took the time to accredit his rival and build that mutual respect.
“I’ll be honest,” Volkanovsky said.
“He’s having another chance because he was being stubborn and making sure no one else got that number 1 spot. He gets the shot, he did exactly what I would have done in his position. He gets my respect for that.”
“But that’s all,” Volkanovski added.
“It’s just a third chance and he won’t get it.”
As for Holloway, he said the “only thing” about Volkanovsky is his cooking show.
Now is the time for the Australian to carry that “fire” that Nurmagomedov spoke of earlier in the week. He made an early appearance Thursday afternoon.
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