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The current featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, has dispelled rumours of a fourth matchup with Max Holloway, claiming that it could be challenging to promote such a match to the audience.
Undisputedly, these two fighters have a history together, with Volkanovski stealing Holloway's championship during their first meeting in 2019. After that moment, they have squared off against one another on two additional occasions, with Volkanovski winning both contests.
Holloway is still committed to getting a fourth bout with the title regardless his prior losses. On the latest edition of The MMA Fan Podcast, Volkanovski highlighted the obvious that he had no curiosity in the concept. Given the results of their prior clashes, he thinks it is going to be difficult for the UFC to advertise such a match.
“It’s a hard fight to sell, you know what I mean? Three fights, you know, three wins with a guy and then doing a fourth one and then what if he does win? What are you going to do? We’re going to have to go another two times? Obviously, that wouldn’t happen. I definitely believed and proved I’ve got his number.”
“How do you sell it? Volkanovski asked. “I mean, never say never, but like I said, I want fights that are going to excite me. Honestly, right now, I need to see more maybe, maybe it would be different, but yeah, that doesn’t sound very exciting. It’s not very fun to talk about.”
Volkanovski lost to Islam Makhachev a few months ago while seeking to become the two-weight division champion; as a result, his attention has since been diverted somewhere else. But he has no choice but to keep fighting and has scheduled his next match. He will unify the featherweight title with current holder Yair Rodriguez on July 8 at UFC 290.
On the other side, Holloway just defeated Arnold Allen by unanimous decision, and he has a target set on another opportunity to win the featherweight championship. But if he wants to get a fourth bout with Volkanovski, he has to keep winning convincingly against other opponents.
The rivalry between Volkanovski and Holloway has produced thrilling battles in the past, but it seems that the champion is not interested in revisiting this matchup at the moment. The fans may be disappointed by his decision, but Volkanovski's focus lies on his upcoming title unification bout.
Only time will tell if Holloway can earn another opportunity to face Volkanovski in the Octagon. For now, both fighters have their own paths ahead of them, and fans will eagerly anticipate their future endeavours.