UFC featherweight contender Alexander Volkanovski has been waiting a while, but in two weeks, he finally gets his shot at Max Holloway.
The pair will co-headline UFC 245 on December 14 in Las Vegas for the featherweight title. Holloway is coming off a dominant unanimous decision win over Frankie Edgar and hasn’t tasted defeat in the weight class since 2013.
Volkanovski, meanwhile, last outpointed former champion Jose Aldo in May which followed his impressive knockout win over Chad Mendes last year. Undefeated in the UFC, the Australian has continually spoke about how he’s a bad matchup for Holloway and how he plans on ending the “Blessed” era.
And he’s certainly putting in the work ahead of UFC 245 according to Tiger Muay Thai wrestling coach Frank Hickman.
“It’s business. It’s business as usual,” Hickman told The Body Lock’s John Hyon Ko. “Staying healthy, staying strong, staying fit. Knowing where we’re good at. Being aware of where he’s [Holloway] good at. How we’re going to exploit him. What we’re going to do, where we’re going to do it at. It’s a solid… it’s a system. But it’s easy with Volk. He’s a professional… The guy likes to work. He has no problem with hard work. He ain’t scared of it so it makes it easier for us.
“I think that’s why he’s at the point that he’s at. Man, I can’t wait. My fingers are crossed. Just staying healthy until then. Fine-tuning stuff. Building it, building it, building it. And then when it comes time for the co-main event — everybody’s going to know. I know what he’s capable of, we all know what he’s capable of. But there’s still some doubters out there so he’ll be able to shut them up.”
Holloway has faced a number of fighters with different styles. However, Hickman believes he will face a completely new skill-set in Volkanovski when they clash next month.
“A different skill-set. A gas tank. I think when somebody’s gas tank can match Max Holloway’s, if not, it’s going to be better — that’s going to be the deciding factor,” he added. “He’s [Volkanovski] incredibly strong, his pace is ruthless. He used to just be a wrestler. Now he’s a striker and he can wrestle.
“… Max is a phenomenal fighter, man. I love watching him. There’s always those people that want to see you not do well and don’t want to see you take out the big dog. But you need those people. I’m not being arrogant, man, but I look at the fight, I think about it and watch when he fights — I just don’t know where Alex isn’t better.”
You can watch the full interview below:
