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Alexander Volkanovski's camp expect challenger Max Holloway to be more aggressive in Sunday's rematch with Australia's UFC featherweight world champion.
Australia's UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski is preparing for more aggression, variety and a faster starting Max Holloway when he makes his first title defence on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
The rematch of the bout Volkanovski won on points in Las Vegas last December is scheduled for around 7am to 8am (AEST) on Yas Island.
Favourite Volkanovski's defence is one of three title bouts to feature in UFC 251, which is hosted on Fight Island for the first time.
Volkanovski broke down Holloway with a strong striking game in Las Vegas, smashing the American's legs with a massive amount of damaging kicks, especially in the first three rounds.
The champion and his head trainer both expect Holloway to try something different on Sunday, without straying too far from the techniques that have made him such a formidable fighter.
"At the beginning (of the fight) he might try and change a few things and we are expecting that," Volkanovski's head trainer Joe Lopez told AAP.
"He's probably going to be kicking a bit more and going to come out a little bit more aggressive.
"He was a little bit more patient in the first fight, so we are expecting him to put on a bit of pace, and probably kick and use some knees to mix things up.
"When Alex kicks him, he's probably going to try and punch him back, he's probably been practising that," Lopez said.
"If he gets leg kicked he's probably going to try and throw his right hand, but we've been working on that."
Volkanovski will also make some slight adjustments to keep Holloway guessing, but remains convinced he will win inside the distance.
"I just need to stay on my toes, make him fight my fight, keep breaking him down, shutting him down and keep my hands nice and tidy," Volkanovski said.
"As long as I am staying sharp I know it's going to be a long night for Max and I think I will put him away, I truly do."
Holloway felt he did enough to win the first fight and revealed he wasn't able to spar back home ahead of the rematch because of restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Volkanovski has cast doubt on whether that was the case during an occasionally testy verbal lead-up to their second fight.
"I've got five titles at home in my closet, the dude can beat me two more times and he still wont have as many titles as me," Holloway said.
"At the end of the day there's no pressure (on me)."
In other title fights, welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is up against late replacement Jorge Masvidal while Petr Yan and Jose Aldo square off for the vacant bantamweight strap.
