Morning Report: Alexander Volkanovski says Max Holloway deserves Ilia Topuria rematch

Alexander Volkanovski thinks Max Holloway has earned one other crack at Ilia Topuria.

On Saturday, Holloway rebounded from his featherweight title loss to Topuria final 12 months, profitable a unanimous resolution over Dustin Poirier to retain his ‘BMF’ title in the primary occasion of UFC 318. It was the ultimate combat in Poirier’s profession, and afforded Holloway a measure of revenge as he was down 0-2 of their sequence earlier than Saturday, and for Volkanovski it was one other instance of simply how nice “Blessed” actually is.

“I’m gonna give Max a second proper now to simply say how unbelievable that was,” Volkanovski mentioned on his YouTube channel. “It isn’t simple to return again from losses. He’s confirmed, time and time once more, from large losses — not simply little losses, world title losses, off tears. Even that final one, our third combat, to win the way in which I did, you’re most likely pondering, ‘Am I accomplished?’ You’re going to start out having these adverse ideas. For him to bounce again like he did and go on one other tear, after which have his second with Justin Gaethje, already unbelievable. Then, his first KO loss.

“He’s been again from large losses earlier than, however by no means KOed. How’s he going to be in a ‘BMF’ combat coming off a KO loss? … That’s going to mentally get you. Max, I don’t suppose it did. Even when he did get dropped, he nonetheless got here again to what he wished to do. … Unbelievable. Truthfully unbelievable combat from Max to return again like that. Touché.”

Following his win, Holloway was laissez-faire about his subsequent combat. Nonetheless the ‘BMF’ champion, Holloway is now a full-time light-weight, with wins over two of the highest names within the division. That being mentioned, he additionally just lately misplaced to Topuria, who’s now the light-weight champion, although that was down at 145 kilos. Holloway mentioned he nonetheless has unfinished enterprise with Topuria, however mentioned he’s nice defending the ‘BMF’ belt subsequent if that’s what the UFC would favor. And for Volkanovski, he thinks Holloway deserves one other crack at “El Matador.”

“I do know Max simply fought him, however now it’s at light-weight the place they each kind of need to be,” Volkanovski mentioned. “You’ve bought to consider who Max beat at light-weight. You’ve gotta go off the light-weight fights. Max beat Justin Gaethje, who I feel is the No. 1 contender, and Poirier, who simply fought for the title. So he actually beat the 2 high guys, the 2 predominant guys that you just often have to beat to get the title shot. That’s his solely fights in light-weight — his streak proper now — and it’s in opposition to the 2 high guys. You’d say he’s subsequent. You’ll suppose so.

“Or Arman. Clearly, Arman was there. I don’t know what’s the cope with that. Paddy Pimblett, they did the faceoff. There’s a little bit of dangerous blood. I don’t know if that’s occurring, I don’t know if that’s locked in. However with Max, Max’s subsequent combat might most likely be for the title. I feel that may be truthful.”

Whoever it comes in opposition to although, Volkanovski admits to having some concern about Holloway’s future. Although he has one of many all-time nice chins in MMA historical past, Holloway has now been dropped in three consecutive bouts, together with struggling his first knockout loss to Topuria. For nearly as good as he nonetheless regarded on Saturday, Volkanovski questions if that is perhaps an enormous downside in opposition to Topuria.

“We haven’t actually seen Max dropped like that. Like, getting damage,” Volkanovski mentioned. “I don’t know, I hate saying it. You discuss it, however is the chin precisely the identical? I don’t know. I don’t know if I can say it’s. So in the event that they combat once more, or transferring ahead, Max can’t depend on his chin like he used to, bought to be a bit extra strategic.”

Outcomes. Max Holloway took a unanimous resolution over Dustin Poirier at UFC 318.

Chickens. Dana White shuts down Jon Jones headlining UFC White Home: ‘I simply can’t danger placing him in large positions.’

Roost. Jon Jones ‘dissatisfied’ in Dana White denying him UFC White Home headline spot.

Truthful. Max Holloway blasts Dana White for UFC 318 bonus snub: ‘How the hell did we not get Battle of the Evening?’

Judging. Dustin Poirier disagreed with judges’ scores in UFC 318 retirement combat: ‘It felt lots nearer to me.’

Beef. Jon Jones responds to Daniel Cormier menace: ‘These ass whoopings should’ve left greater than bruises’.

PFL. Costello Van Steenis scored an enormous upset over Johnny Eblen at PFL Africa.

Boxing. Oleksandr Usyk knocks out Daniel Dubois in fifth spherical to reclaim undisputed heavyweight title.

Extra Boxing. Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios fought to a majority draw.

UFC 318 Publish Present.

UFC 318 Watch Celebration.

UFC 318 Watch Celebration spotlight of the insane Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez combat.

Dustin Poirier’s ultimate post-fight scrum.

Max Holloway post-fight scrum.

Dana White post-fight scrum.

Israel Adesanya learns to DJ.

On To The Subsequent One.

Respect.

Extra respect.

Fairly lame. Generally issues will be about different folks.

Elias Topuria, new fighter.

He again.

I’m right here for all of the MMA memes of the viral second of 2025.

Henry Cejudo has joined the motion.

Living proof.

TBD vs. TBD; UFC 319, Aug. 16

Hell of a profession, Dustin Poirier. Rattling good fighter and even higher dude, and also you went out in fashion.

And what else is there to say about Max? Dude continues to rock. Each time he faces a setback, he bounces again. Prime-15 fighter of all time.

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