Alexander Volkanovski dispels narrative that Max Holloway’s weight cut has taken a toll on him ahead of UFC 308

Alexander Volkanovski's recent comments about Max Holloway should help ease the concerns of fans about the Hawaiian's pending weight cut. Many believe that 'Blessed' looks more drawn out than usual ahead of his featherweight title fight against Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.

Holloway's previous bout took place at lightweight, when he knocked out Justin Gaethje emphatically to win the BMF title at UFC 300. Having picked up a noticeable amount of muscle to prepare for his lightweight bout, there are suggestions that the upcoming weight cut to 145 pounds will be more difficult for 'Blessed'.

Despite several pundits, including PFL analyst Dan Hardy, expressing concerns about the 32-year old's return to featherweight, Volkanovski has dismissed the notion that the former champ looks any different.

'The Great' was recently interviewed by MMA Junkie after he crossed paths with Holloway at the UFC 308 fighter hotel and said:

"Max, obviously coming from lightweight, there's gonna be questions about if he's gonna make the weight. But he looked great today. I thought I saw him doing an interview, and I was like, 'Is he looking like he's a little drawn?' I always think that [about Holloway], then he turns up and he's fine... I watched stuff this week, and then seeing him today, I thought he looked great for someone who was just fighting at a heavier division."

Catch Alexander Volkanovski's comments below (1:52):

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Alexander Volkanovski predicts Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway

UFC 308 will be headlined by arguably the most anticipated matchup of the promotion's 2024 calender, as Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway go to war for the featherweight title.

'El Matador' secured the belt with a brutal knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, the first featherweight defeat of the Australian's MMA career.

With Topuria boasting that he will now be the first man to knock Holloway out when they meet in the octagon, 'The Great' shared his thoughts on the matchup during a recent interview with TheMacLife:

"Both great fighters, but I think that Max has proven himself time and time again. That chin. Ilia, he's got some power in his hands, his only chance of winning would be to catch [Holloway], I believe. That's no disrespect [to Topuria], Max has proven himself. We know his got that crazy granite chin. If your biggest bet is trying to take that chin out, good luck. I've tried many times, and so have many other big punchers. Pound-for-pound the best chin ever. That's a tough fight for Ilia."

Catch Alexander Volkanovski's UFC 308 prediction below (11:20):