Alexander Volkanovski stops Chad Mendes in thrilling scrap (highlights)

The main card of UFC 232, which went down on Saturday night inside The Forum in the Inglewood, California, was kicked off by a high-stakes featherweight showdown between three-time title challenger Chad Mendes, and surging Australian contender Alexander Volkanovski. The pair collided in hopes of establishing themselves as one of the next men in line for UFC featherweight king Max Holloway. To remind, this was a fight Volkanovski actually asked for after defeating Darren Elkins at UFC Boise earlier this year.

It was an action-packed scrap while it lasted.

In round one, we saw the pair look to establish range, while Mendes landed a pair of takedowns.

Round two, however, is where things really picked up.

OH Mendes rocks Volkanovski here in round 2! #UFC232 pic.twitter.com/PgjeqJX2JX

— UFC (@ufc) December 30, 2018

The two featherweights began to exchange the kind of heavy artillery that might well have flattened lesser fighters. Chad Mendes actually managed to drop Alexander Volkanovski at one point, but after succeeding on several more takedowns, began to slow down. It was at this point that the bloodied Australian cranked up the offense.

Volkanovski trapped the three-time title challenger against the cage, and reduced him to rubble with a storm of beautifully placed punches.

VOLKANOVSKI HAS ARRIVED!!!#UFC232 pic.twitter.com/f874DKcP2e

— UFC (@ufc) December 30, 2018

With this win, Alexander Volkanovski extends his win-streak to a jaw-dropping 16-straight. Now 19-1 overall, he’s one of the top contenders for Max Holloway’s featherweight title — and he did not hesitate to announce himself as such in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.

Only men to beat Mendes inside the Octagon:

– Jose Aldo
– Conor McGregor
– Frankie Edgar
– @AlexVolkanovski

Wow. #UFC232 pic.twitter.com/bq2HQQQLfg

— UFC (@ufc) December 30, 2018

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 12/29/2018.