5 reasons why Alexander Volkanovski should get more respect

#2. He's defeated top-tier UFC featherweights

Max Holloway v Alexander Volkanovski

Alexander Volkanovski started his UFC career against relatively unknown fighters like Yusuke Kasuya and Mizuto Hirota. As he continued to be undefeated, the UFC started to put him against more decorated top-tier fighters. But Volkanovski proved that no competition was too much for him. He outclassed every single one of his rivals.

In the second half of his UFC career, 'The Great' has faced no second-rate opposition. Volkanovski knocked out three-time UFC title contender Chad Mendes. He also defeated Jose Aldo, who is widely considered one of the greatest featherweights in MMA history.

Most importantly, Alexander Volkanovski dominated one of the best boxers in the UFC, Max Holloway, in back-to-back bouts.

While former UFC champion Max Holloway has managed to punish most of his opponents, especially in stand-up, he has been outclassed by Alexander Volkanovski on two seperate occasions.

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#1. Alexander Volkanovski is nearing elite-status

Alex Volkanovski Portrait Session

Heading into UFC 266 tonight, Alexander Volkanovski boasts a 19-0 record (9-0 in the UFC). If he defeats 'T-City', he would join an elite company of legendary UFC fighters. Only 10 fighters in UFC history have ever won 10 or more bouts in a row and all of them are legends.

Jon Jones, widely regarded as the greatest MMA fighter of all time, has 17 consecutive wins in the UFC. Anderson Silva, who has dominated the GOAT debate since joining promotion in 2006, once accumulated 16 wins in a row. Current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has won 18 MMA bouts in a row (14 in the UFC).

Then there's Khabib Nurmagomedov, whom some regard as the greatest lightweight ever. 'The Eagle' went 13 for 13 in the UFC and was undefeated for his entire MMA career. Georges St-Pierre, Demetrious Johnson and Max Holloway all won 13 in a row as well. Amanda Nunes and Tony Ferguson have each won 12 UFC fights in a row, while Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Royce Gracie has also accomplished a 11-fight winning streak in the promotion.

Those names are the only ones who have won more UFC bouts in succession than Alexander Volkanovski. Half of them have also retired from the sport. Should Volkanovski, a -150 betting favorite, defeat +125 underdog Ortega at UFC 266, he will enter an elite group of UFC legends.