‘Stranger Things’ Halloween Costumes Fit For Alexander Volkanovski & Max Holloway

This Halloween, it shouldn’t be too hard for Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway to find the right costume.

“Volk reminds me of Vecna from Stranger Things,” said Holloway. “I see that.”

Fans of Stranger Things know that El, Steve Harrington, Nancy Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair, and the rest of the crew were unsuccessful in their attempt to destroy Vecna during Season 4. During the summer of 2022, Holloway was also unable to defeat his own personal Vecna–which is Volkanovski, the reigning UFC featherweight champion.

Volkanovski has defeated Holloway on three separate occasions, a significant achievement for one of the world’s best fighters. Their most recent bout took place in July of ‘22, when Holloway lost to his version of Vecna despite entering the Octagon to Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill song.

“I love that song,” says Volkanovski. “I thought it was perfect.”

There is a pivotal scene in the middle of the fourth season of Stranger Things when Vecna nearly takes the soul of Max Mayfield, who is played brilliantly by Sadie Sink. At least temporarily, that song protects her–no different than what happened to Holloway before his fight went awry against Volkanovski.

“The actor who kept getting possessed by Vecna, her name was Max, just like me,” says Holloway. “So it was only right. That was my tribute to Stranger Things.”

Volkanovski, who is not even two weeks removed from his crushing loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev–a fight he took on only 12 days’ notice–appreciated Holloway’s comparison.

“That’s a compliment, especially coming from Max Holloway, who is a great fighter and a great champion,” said Volkanovski. “If I wasn’t around, Max would be considered unstoppable. He would be the Vecna. Can you imagine the streak he’d be on? The respect he shows me, it means a lot. I have a lot of respect for him, too. And Vecna is a bad guy, but I really take that as praise.”

Asked if he would ever consider dressing as Vecna, Holloway was open to the idea.

“We don’t do much for Halloween in Australia,” said Volkanovski. “But maybe I’ll dress up if it means I get chocolate and lollies.”

If Holloway was a character on Stranger Things, he would want to be Steve Harrington.

“I like Steve, and I wouldn’t want to be a bad guy,” says Holloway. “Steve has that head of hair–so do I. I’d rock with that.”

Holloway most recently competed in the cage in September, defeating “The Korean Zombie” Jung Chan-sung. The victory, which marked his second in a row, helps accelerate his push for a featherweight title bout against Volkanovski.

For now, however, another bout with Volkanovski remains a long way away. That provides Holloway more time to binge Stranger Things–and think of a strategy for defeating Vecna.

“I’m a body shot guy,” says Holloway. “I’d start with the ribs and distract him while my homies blow his head off.”

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.