5 best UFC performances of Alexander Volkanovski
The incumbent UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his title against Chan Sung Jung at UFC 273 on April 9. With this pay-per-view drawing near, it's important to recognize the performances that have led Volkanovski to this highly-esteemed position that has him headlining such an event.
From rugby player to mixed martial arts champion, 'The Great' has always been a determined person that works hard for what he wants. His UFC career shows this in spades, as he's had no easy run for gold.
Jose Aldo and Max Holloway are the two best featherweights in UFC history. Volkanovski rose through the rankings and was able to defeat both of them after five-round brawls. While it takes a little more than that to put oneself in the conversation for who is the best featherweight, he's on the right track.
A victory over 'The Korean Zombie' will only propel him further into the featherweight GOAT status. While his opponent is quite the threat, it's largely expected for the Australian fighter to keep his firm grip on the belt come April 9. Volkanovski looks to be consistent in regards to his perfect record with the organization, so let's delve into some of these bouts that led him to where he is today. Here are five of the best UFC performances of Alexander Volkanovski.
#5. UFC featherweight - Darren Elkins
'The Damage' is amongst the toughest fighters in MMA history. Frequently down but never out, Elkins remains one of the toughest fighters to defeat, as his durability typically holds up and he just gets stronger as the fight goes on.
So close!
Elkins barely escapes the submission attempt by Volkanovski. #UFCBoise https://t.co/6u0ubmg7MA
Volkanovski, however, did his best to take him out. The first round of their meeting saw many moments where the fight was on the verge of being over. Volkanovski let his boxing prowess show, hurting Elkins on the feet. The submission attempts were quite tight, too.
In order to snap the 6-fight win streak of Elkins, Volkanovski had to remain poised and show that he can easily keep this pace over the course of three rounds. He covered all bases with this performance. Great takedown defense, sharp boxing, endurance against a fighter like 'The Damage' and he remained relaxed throughout the whole fight. This performance often flies under the radar as Volkanovski has fought some bigger names in his career, but this is the one that really elevated 'The Great' to that next level of featheright competition.