UFC featherweight rivals Volkanovski and Holloway set for summer trilogy bout

Australian champion is 2-0 against the former belt-holder, with the pair to face off again in July

Alexander Volkanovski, right, defeated Max Holloway during their first bout UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena on December 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

Alexander Volkanovski prepares for a bout against Max Holloway at UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena on December 14, 2019. Reuters

Alexander Volkanovski punches UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway in their title fight during UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena on December 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Volkanovski took the title by unanimous decision. AFP

Alexander Volkanovski prepares for a bout against Max Holloway at UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena on December 14, 2019. Reuters

Max Holloway kicks Alexander Volkanovski of Australia during their UFC featherweight championship rematch at UFC 251 at Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 12, 2020 in Abu Dhabi. Zuffa LLC

Alexander Volkanovski of Australia celebrates after his split-decision victory over Max Holloway to successfully defend his UFC feagtherweight title at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi. Zuffa LLC

The much-anticipated trilogy between featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway seems set for this summer.

US outlet MMA Junkie confirmed late on Thursday that verbal agreements are in place for the bout at UFC 276 on July 2, following an initial report from prominent journalist Ariel Helwani. MMA Junkie said, though, that contracts have still to be issued.

On Thursday, Volkanovski tweeted that he was "back in fight camp", with Holloway following on the social media platform to suggest the bout was booked.

Volkanovski, who is 24-1 in professional MMA and unbeaten in all 11 UFC appearances, was slated to face former champion Holloway in March, but the latter withdrew through injury. The pair met first in December 2019, when Volkanovski defeated the Hawaiian by unanimous decision at UFC 245 in Las Vegas to secure the title.

Volkanovski then successfully defended the belt at UFC 251 during the inaugural Fight Island in Abu Dhabi in July 2020, coming through the back-and-forth encounter at Du Arena via split decision. The Australian has since gone on to twice defend the title, first against Brian Ortega and then with a stellar fourth-round stoppage win against Chan Sung Jung two months ago. “The Korean Zombie” was a late replacement for Holloway.

Holloway, meanwhile, rebounded brilliantly from that second straight championship loss to Volkanovski, winning back-to-back clashes against Kalvin Kattar in January last year – that bout also took place in Abu Dhabi – and most recently against Yair Rodriguez, in November. Both bouts were awarded Fight of the Night bonuses. Holloway’s pro MMA record reads 23-6 (19-6 UFC).

Although not yet confirmed by the promotion, UFC 276 is scheduled for International Fight Week and is to be staged at T-Mobile Arena. The card is understood to also feature among other bouts Lauren Murphy versus Miesha Tate and Sean O’Malley against Pedro Munhoz.