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.
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The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
Match info
Karnataka Tuskers 110-3
J Charles 35, M Pretorius 1-19, Z Khan 0-16
Deccan Gladiators 111-5 in 8.3 overs
K Pollard 45*, S Zadran 2-18
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Results
3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m; Winner: Dhafra, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Al Ajayib, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
4pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Ashtr, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Falcon Claws, Szczepan Mazur, Doug Watson
5pm: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Al Mufham SB, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Badar Al Hajri
5.30pm: Sharjah Marathon – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,700m; Winner: Asraa Min Al Talqa, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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