Volkanovski retains UFC title, Yan grabs bantamweight belt

Volkanovski retains UFC title, Yan grabs bantamweight belt

SeattlePI.com

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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Alexander Volkanovski retained his featherweight title with a narrow split decision over Max Holloway at UFC 251 on Sunday.

Petr Yan won the vacant UFC bantamweight championship with a fifth-round stoppage victory over José Aldo, and former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas avenged her loss to Jéssica Andrade with a split-decision win in their rematch on Yas Island, the UAE tourist destination turned into a secure bubble by the UFC this month during the coronavius pandemic.

Welterweight champ Kamaru Usman was scheduled to face Jorge Masvidal in the main event on the UFC's so-called “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi. The mixed martial arts promotion will host four shows this month at the arena, with more expected in the upcoming months.

Volkanovski (22-1) earned his 19th consecutive MMA victory since 2013 by a razor-thin margin, winning 48-47 on two of the three cards when his leg kicks and takedowns earned the decision over Holloway's overall striking game.

“It was a tough fight,” Volkanovski said. “He stood there and didn’t really take a backward step. I couldn’t use the kicks as much as I liked. I knew I had to win that last round. It’s tough. He’s a gamer. We’re both hard workers, but I got the job done.”

The Australian champion won his belt last December with a virtuoso technical performance against Holloway (21-6), who had reigned atop the division for the previous three years.

In the rematch, Holloway showed off another level of his superb striking skills while weathering dozens more leg kicks from the Australian champion, who relied largely on that strike to win the first bout. Holloway largely controlled the first two rounds, but Volkanovski increased his output starting in the third round and added a few takedowns to bolster his case with the...

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