Alex Volkanovski has become just the second Australian to win an Ultimate Fighting Championship belt after defeating featherweight champion Max Holloway in Las Vegas.

Key points: Alex Volkanovski has become the UFC featherweight champion following a unanimous victory over Max Holloway

Alex Volkanovski has become the UFC featherweight champion following a unanimous victory over Max Holloway He becomes the first Australian-born UFC champion and the second Australian to win a title after Robert Whittaker

He becomes the first Australian-born UFC champion and the second Australian to win a title after Robert Whittaker The former concreter gave up rugby league to pursue a career in UFC eight years ago

The Australian fighter, based on the NSW south coast, won the bout by unanimous decision, overcoming the Hawaiian former champion in five rounds.

Volkanovski neutralised Holloway's heavy hitting style using feints, counter punches and leg kicks to disrupt his opponent, and ended the fight with higher number of significant strikes, 172-103.

But the odds were stacked against the 31-year-old in the lead-up to the title fight.

"There were a lot of doubters, I looked at a pros' picks and not one of them picked me," he said.

"I used that as motivation and they'll pick me next time."

Alexander Volkanovski played rugby league before switching to mixed martial arts. ( AP: John Locher )

It's the 18th straight win for the former concreter from Shellharbour, a run stretching back to 2013 that includes wins over former Brazilian champion Jose Aldo and American Chad Mendes.

But this victory may just be his most decorated scalp.

Holloway is widely considered the greatest ever featherweight MMA fighter, and he held the title for two-and-a half years, winning three challenges.

Volkanovski is now the second Australian UFC champion after New Zealand-born Robert Whittaker, who held his middleweight title until his defeat to Israel Adesanya in October.

Fulfilling a promise

At a packed bar in Volkanovski's hometown, Shellharbour, watching every minute of the fight was his biggest supporter — his dad, Tony.

He has come a long way from urging his son to reconsider his decision to drop rugby league and pursue a career in UFC.

The Shellharbour pub was home to Alex Volkanovski's cheer squad on Sunday. ( ABC News: Jake Lapham )

"He was playing rugby league, then when he decided to start fighting I didn't like it because of how dangerous the sport is," he said.

"But he told me the sport is actually safer than rugby league. You have a referee watching two people the whole time, while in rugby league you have 26 people and only three referees."

Tony Volkanovski knew his son would go on to be a champion and make good on his promise to bring home an early Christmas present for the family.

"From the day he started he said he wanted to be the best … he said he wanted to have that belt, and after eight years he finally did.

"A couple of weeks before he went to Vegas he said, 'Dad, I know you're always nervous at my fights, but trust me I'll be fine. I'm fit, and I'll bring that belt home and we'll celebrate it for Christmas'."

Australia rematch

With the dust yet to settle on the fight the door has already been opened for a potential rematch on Volkanovski's home turf.

Dana White hopes for a title fight in Australia. ( Reuters/USA TODAY Sports: Adam Hagy )

UFC President Dana White says it makes sense for the fight to be held in Australia, one of the fastest-growing UFC markets in the world.

"Australia has become a massive market for us, and now that super-talented people are coming out of that area it's even better," he said.

But the newly crowned featherweight champion remains undaunted by the prospect of another bout with Holloway.

"He might think he might figure me out again, but I'm just too powerful — he goes one way and I go another."