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)