The recent bout between Alex Volkanovski and Max Holloway at UFC 251 has split the MMA community into two.<\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s champion Alexander Volkanovski defended his UFC featherweight title against former champ Max Holloway for a second time, though the validity of the win has been questioned again by critics.<\/p>\n

The latest win pushed the former rugby player\u2019s winning streak to 19 MMA fights since 2013. He won via a split decision with the judges scoring 48-47, 47-48, 48-47 against the Hawaiian.<\/p>\n

In comparison to their first clash in December 2019, the 2020 rematch was much closer. The 5-foot-5 Aussie was dropped momentarily by the Hawaiian on the first and second round, but he got back to his feet instantaneously.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CCjbg0oAx4L\/<\/p>\n

Though Holloway landed significant blows on Volkanovski early in the bout, outstruck the reigning champion in the first three rounds, he was unable to reclaim the title at the end of the match. \u201cThe Great\u201d stood firm and picked up the pace in the later rounds with his leg kicks and takedowns and won via a split decision.<\/p>\n

However, the result of the co-main event at UFC 251 got on the nerves of many athletes and fans. Other MMA fighters, along with some US pundits, cast their doubt on the result and picked Holloway as their winner.<\/p>\n

Number-two ranked UFC bantamweight Aljamain Sterling felt the Hawaiian won the opening three rounds. He tweeted:<\/p>\n

“I had Max the first 3 Rds! Damn! That’s tough man. I feel for Max but congrats to Volkanovski.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Similarly, ESPN\u2019s Stephen A Smith tweeted:<\/p>\n

“I’m sorry but that was not a good decision. I had Holloway winning the first 3 rounds. Volkanovski closed the distance and took Round 4 easily, plus win around 5. But I had him losing the fight 3 Rounds to 2. Bad decision in my opinion.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Meanwhile, according to UFC stats, the featherweight king landed 139 strikes to 111 for Holloway. He converted three of nine takedown attempts, which shows Volkanovski out-landing Holloway in significant strikes in every round except the first and second.<\/p>\n

\n

The official stats for Holloway vs Volkanovski actually show Alex outlanding max in significant strikes in every round but the first The two knockdowns gave Holloway the first two rounds but I'm interested to see what everyone's thoughts are on the third round let me know \ud83d\udc47 pic.twitter.com\/74GH8wVKS1<\/a><\/p>\n

— \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7fMMA AL\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f (@MMA_Al34) July 12, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n