Holloway Backs Volkanovski to Reclaim UFC Gold at UFC 306: “We All Know He Never Lost That Belt”

In a surprising twist that has the MMA world buzzing, Max Holloway is publicly supporting his longtime rival Alexander Volkanovski ahead of this weekend’s pivotal UFC 306 showdown against Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight championship.

Yes, you read that correctly—the same Max Holloway who battled Volkanovski through three grueling championship fights is now firmly in the Australian’s corner.

The Rivalry That Turned to Respect

Their trilogy stands as one of the most contested and controversial in UFC history. After Volkanovski dethroned Holloway at UFC 245 and then secured a razor-thin split decision in their rematch, bad blood seemed inevitable. But that’s what makes this sport so unpredictable outside the cage.

“At the end of the day, we all know Volk never lost that belt,” Holloway told reporters during UFC 306 media day. “That belt’s his, and I’m excited to see him get what’s rightfully his this weekend.”

It’s the kind of sportsmanship that reminds us why we fell in love with MMA in the first place.

Volkanovski’s Rocky Road Back to the Title

The road back hasn’t been easy for the former champ. After losing his title in a shocking upset to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298, many wondered if Volkanovski’s best days were behind him. The Australian was originally slated to face Topuria in a rematch, but injury forced the champion to withdraw.

Now, Volkanovski faces surging Brazilian contender Diego Lopes for the interim belt—a fighter who’s quickly become one of the division’s most dangerous threats.

Tale of the Tape: Volkanovski vs. Lopes

Holloway’s Surprising Take on What Makes Volkanovski Special

I’ve covered this sport for over a decade, and it’s rare to see such genuine respect between two fighters who’ve shared so much octagon time together. Holloway’s praise for Volkanovski goes beyond mere courtesy—it’s a recognition of what makes champions special.

“The thing about Volk is he’s never satisfied,” Holloway explained. “After our first fight, he went back and got better. After our second, same thing. Even after beating me three times, he was still evolving. That’s why I know he’ll bounce back from the Topuria loss stronger than ever.”

This perspective from Holloway carries extra weight considering he finally captured interim gold himself by knocking out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 with what many call the greatest walk-off knockout in UFC history.

The Bigger Picture

While Holloway waits for his own title shot against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, his support of Volkanovski speaks volumes about the brotherhood that sometimes emerges from the fiercest rivalries in combat sports.

Could we eventually see a fourth fight between these two legends? Holloway didn’t rule it out.

“Never say never in this sport. If the fans want it and it makes sense, I’m always game. But right now, I’m genuinely pulling for him to get that gold back where it belongs.”

What’s at Stake for Volkanovski

At 35, questions surround Volkanovski’s longevity in the sport after suffering his first knockout loss. A victory over Lopes wouldn’t just recapture the title—it would cement his legacy as one of the most resilient champions in UFC history.

And with Holloway potentially occupied in the lightweight division for the foreseeable future, Volkanovski could set his sights on new challengers like Brian Ortega or Movsar Evloev should he reclaim the throne.

The Verdict

MMA fans get treated to this compelling title fight this Saturday at UFC 306 from the Sphere in Las Vegas. Will Volkanovski recapture the title as Holloway predicts, or will Lopes continue his meteoric rise and spoil the comeback story?

One thing’s certain—Holloway won’t be the only one cheering for the Australian this weekend. Sometimes in this sport, respect transcends rivalry, creating the kinds of storylines you just can’t script.

Who are you picking this weekend? Does Volkanovski reclaim his throne, or is it Lopes’ time to shine? Let me know in the comments!

Source: UFC 306 Media Day