A key featherweight bout between former division champion Jose Aldo and surging contender Alexander Volkanovski took place at tonight’s UFC 237 event. Aldo had returned to form in recent months, scoring stoppage victories over perennial division contenders Jeremy Stephens and Renato Moicano in his most recent octagon appearances. Meanwhile, Volkanovski was last seen in action at December’s UFC 232 event, where he picked up a TKO victory over former title challenger Chad Mendes. Alexander Volkanovski was able to utilize forward pressure to frustrate and wear down Jose Aldo this evening in Rio. Volkanovski landed more leg kicks and punches than the former Brazilian champion which resulted in a unanimous decision victory for the Aussie. Check out how the pros reacted to Alexander Volkanovski defeating Jose Aldo at tonight’s UFC 237 event below. Most anticipated fight of the year for me. Let’s go Alex. #UFC237 — Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) May 12, 2019 Aldo looking more like Cage Wall-do this round. *sees myself out* #UFC237 — Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) May 12, 2019 Aldo looked goo in the first but started to lose the offensive push. Too much waiting for the perfect counter. AV was smart and used his feints and speed to stick and move, then clinch to slow Aldo down. I was waiting for Aldo to switch it up and press. Leg kicks are no joke. https://t.co/CInRAZQcr5 — Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 12, 2019 https://twitter.com/thenotoriousmma/status/1127419349508263937?s=21 “‘There goes the consensus greatest featherweight in UFC history Joe, you numpty’- me walking by the mirror in my Jon anik voice” – Conor McGregor These Brazilian judges are making up for lost time 😂 I think Alex won the fight but I gave the 1st to Aldo — Luis Antonio Pena (@violentbobross) May 12, 2019 Tonight has not been a good night for our older heroes (Penn, Nog, Aldo). Silva up next. #UFC237 pic.twitter.com/BUmxGPIKwN — The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) May 12, 2019 This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM<doc-sep>Alexander Volkanovski put his hopes of getting a shot at Max Holloway’s featherweight title beyond any doubt with a strong showing against José Aldo. It was a characteristically abrasive performance from the Australian, one that saw him outland and generally out-work his Brazilian adversary from the first bell to the last. Aldo just never really seemed to get going and while he didn’t exactly absorb a massive amount of damage, his opponent’s pressure on the feet and utilisation of solid clinch-work up against the fence allowed him to grab momentum early on. Once he had it, he rarely relented during the fight’s fifteen-minute run-time. And while nothing should be taken away from Volkanovski and his win, it didn’t exactly look as though Aldo was as fired up as he should have been under the circumstances. Who knows exactly how things were during his fight-camp but it really didn’t seem as though we were seeing the same Aldo who ran through Renato Moicano and Jeremy Stephens in his previous outings. With just one fight after this one left on his UFC contract, in front of the crowd of his countrymen, who knows what led to such a tame showing from the former-champ, but if one thing is for certain, it’s that the 145lb division has a new number 1 contender. In the end, the judges saw it unanimously in Volkanovski’s favour, as he moves to 7-0 in the UFC and 20-1 as a professional. In 2012, Alexander Volkanovski gave up a pro rugby league career to focus on MMA. Jose Aldo was 3-0 in the UFC. At #UFC237 the Aussie beat Jose by unanimous decision in his own back yard. pic.twitter.com/ArtdTZ9Xev — UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) May 12, 2019 One would have to assume that a showdown between Aldo’s conqueror and the reigning champion Holloway will happen before the year is out, although, it’s hard to know how much time Max will take to recover and get his body ready for what should be another harrowing cut down to 145lbs. Cillian Cunningham, Pundit Arena Read More About: alexander volkanovski, jose aldo, mma, Top Story, UFC, UFC 237<doc-sep>Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images A new contender in the featherweight division emerged from the wreckage of UFC 237 as Alexander Volkanovski defeated Jose Aldo via unanimous decision in main card action Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. The fight got off to a rather uneventful fight. Aldo claimed the center of the cage early while Volkanovski's approach featured a lot of feints and low kicks. However, the Brazilian did show strong defense early on, but Volkanovski's pressure and ability to eventually push Aldo to the cage was enough to give him the round in pundit's eyes. As the fight progressed to the second round the difference in volume became more pronounced. Volkanovski's pressure game continued to cause problems for the former champion. He smothered him against the fence and swarmed him with knees and punches. Getting Aldo to the cage and smothering all offense continued to be Volkanovski's gameplan. The Australian protected the lead on the cards by keeping his opponent against the fence and neutralizing the power he's come to be known for. Ultimately, it was an impressive, tactical performance for Volkanovski and a disappointing performance for Aldo as the new contender coasted to an easy decision win. Video Play Button Videos you might like This is a huge win for Volkanovski, as it officially launches him into title-contender status. The Australian has been stockpiling wins since he joined the UFC in 2016, but none have come against someone with Aldo's credentials. That's because very few have those credentials. Aldo was champion of the division from the days of WEC in November 2009 to December 2015 when Conor McGregor famously took the belt from him. Two losses to Max Holloway made it appear that his best days were behind him. However, he worked his way back to No. 1 contender status with back-to-back wins. Now Volkanovski may be the one who takes that title. The 30-year-old came into this bout ranked No. 4 in the division, and one of the men in front of him—Brian Ortega—has already come up short against the champion, Holloway. The other, Frankie Edgar, lost to Ortega. Volkanovski believes a matchup only makes sense. "I definitely want that belt," said Volkanovski, per Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated. "That would look very good on my shoulder, and very good on the wall at the gym, too. This is definitely a No. 1 contender fight. A title match is exactly what's next for me. When I go out there and do what I plan on doing in Aldo's home country, then it becomes a no-brainer." Volkanovski has done what he's set out to do in the UFC. Now it'll come down to whether he can make Holloway his next victim on the heels of taking out a great former champion in Aldo.<doc-sep>
A key featherweight bout featuring former division kingpin Jose Aldo taking on surging contender Alexander Volkanovski took place on tonight’s UFC 237 main card from Rio. Jose Aldo (28-4 MMA) enters tonight’s highly anticipated fight with a ton of momentum, this after scoring back-to-back stoppage victories over perennial contenders Jeremy Stephens and Renato Moicano is his most recent octagon appearances. Meanwhile, Alexander Volkanovski (19-1 MMA) was last seen in action at December’s UFC 232 event, where he picked up a TKO victory over former division title challenger Chad Mendes. The Australian has gone 6-0 under the UFC banner, with three of those six wins coming by way of stoppage. Round one begins and Volkanovski pumps the jab and throws a high kick early. Jose Aldo takes the center of the octagon. Another low kick from Volkanovski. Aldo is looking to counter. Jose Aldo with a good jab. Alex returns fire with one of his own. Aldo with another good jab. Volkanovski with a couple of low kicks. Jose Aldo lands a pair of hooks to the body. Another jab from the Brazilian. Alex returns fire with some low kicks. Both men with low kicks now. A knee from Volkanovski lands. Aldo misses with a hook. A flying knee attempt from Aldo now. Volkanovski with a left. The horn sounds to end round one. Round two begins and Aldo takes the center of the octagon. Nice right hand from Volkanovski and then another. Aldo snaps a jab and then another to the body and backs Volkanovski up. A low kick from Volkanovski connects as Aldo tries to land some heavy punches. A nice right elbow lands for Volkanovski. Aldo with a counter hook. The ref steps in due to an eye poke. We restart and Volanovski comes forward with pressure. Jose Aldo with a counter punch but Alex clinches up and lands a knee. Aldo breaks free but it is Volkanosvki with all sorts of forward pressure. He lands a low kick and then a jab. Round two comes to an end. Round three begins and Alex Volkanovski continues to utilize low kicks early. He snaps a jab in the face of Aldo. Alex pushes Aldo against the cage and lands some knees. Aldo with an uppercut and then breaks free. Jose is looking for a hook but Volkanovski counters with another low kick. The fighters clinch and Alex lands a knee. Jose Aldo with a look up at the clock. The Brazilian breaks free but Alex chases him down with a flurry and pushes him back against the cage. One minute remains. More knees and punches from Alexander Volkanovski. He is trying to make a statement here. The horn sounds to end round three. Official UFC 237 Result: Alexander Volkanovski defeats Jose Aldo via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM