Volkanovski-Holloway rematch apart of three possible title fights at UFC 251
The UFC is targeting a featherweight championship rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway at UFC 251 on July 11. According to ESPN, who first reported the news, the fight has not been officially signed yet.
Volkanovski (21-1) defeated Holloway (21-5) in December at UFC 245 to end Holloway’s run on top of the featherweight throne. Prior to Volkanovski’s win, Holloway was unbeaten at featherweight since 2014. During that stretch, Holloway secured 14 wins, won an interim title, defeated featherweight legend Jose Aldo for the undisputed championship and then defended his belt twice. His only loss prior to Volkanovski came in a lightweight interim championship against Dustin Poirier at UFC 236.
As for Volkanovski, he is coming off surgery on his left hand, which he got after his title fight victory. The Australia native is a perfect 8-0 in the UFC.
ESPN also reported that per sources, the promotion is looking into two other title fights on the card. The other two championship bouts would include a vacant bantamweight title fight between Aldo and Petr Yan and a welterweight title defense from champion Kamaru Usman.
Originally, the UFC was planning on having Usman defend his belt against Jorge Masvidal. As of now, the UFC and Masvidal cannot come to terms on a deal for the fight and Gilbert Burns is being looked at as the possible title challenger.
Burns, who just defeated former champion Tyron Woodley on May 30, backed up the reports but tweeting that he is back in training camp. He is currently ranked No. 1 by the UFC’s official rankings.
Guess what? I’m back in camp! 😤
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) June 8, 2020
None of the three championship fights are official at this time, but the UFC would like to book the bouts as soon as possible. The card also does not have an official location, however the plan is to have it on Fight Island.
