Max Holloway stunned as former rugby player Alexander Volkanovski clinches featherweight title at UFC 245

MAX HOLLOWAY was stunned as former rugby player Alexander Volkanovski ripped away the featherweight title at UFC 245.

The Aussie brawler battered the champion’s legs in Las Vegas to eliminate Holloway’s elusive movement.

Volkanovski’s brute strength in the earlier stages of the title fight held up until the championship rounds as he pulled off the upset receiving a unanimous verdict in doing so.

After becoming UFC champion, he said: “I promise to be a great champion.”

In the opening round neither man would give way as the fight turned into a chess match, but Volkanovski took control with some devastating kicks to the champion’s legs.

Holloway looked to stalk the challenger but was stopped in his tracks due to the kickboxing of Volkanovski.

As early as round two ‘Blessed’ was forced to switch southpaw due to the damage sustained from the challenger’s kicks.

Volkanovski landed some clean hooks in the second round with Holloway having his say with a late flurry.

Into the third and Holloway was again forced to fight leftie but began to up the tempo, though a resilient Volkanovski stood his ground and let his power punches rip stunning the champion with a heavy right hand – as the Vegas crowd began to sense an upset in the air.

By the fourth round Holloway’s movement was eliminated and he was left to hold his feet and trade blows.

Volkanovski continued to pump out the heavy kicks but was caught with a razor sharp uppercut as the fight went into the final round.

Holloway came out in the fifth and final round letting his hands go stinging the challenger’s body and head but Volkanovski held firm and returned fire.

The champion’s late success came too late as the judges scored in favour of the brute power from the Aussie challenger.

Holloway said after defeat: “I’m only 28. I’m only getting better. I’ll be back, boys. At the end of the day, it is what it is.”