Former UFC champion Max Holloway was eager to reclaim the 145-pound title from reigning title holder Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 276 last weekend. What instead happened was a “masterclass” from the current champion, ultimately solidifying his spot as the division’s king and in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.
For most observers, Volkanovski was simply on another level as he continues to vastly improve as a fighter and champion. But for legendary trainer and combat sports analyst Teddy Atlas, it could be that Holloway failed to show up that night because of “pressure.”
“This is what I think was at play for the most part: again, 75 percent of the fight business is mental.