Ilia Topuria will become Volk's last bus stop station - End of the route

[Ironheart]

I see Ilia Topuria as Volk's last bus stop at 145lbs. I don't think Volk loses to Topuria however, I just think if he defeats him impressively similar to how he did Yair and Holloway most recently, there really won't be any left for him to defend against short of something unlikely and emphatic from a guy like Evloev or if AJ McKee ends up getting signed to the UFC and they line him up vs a top guy in his debut and he makes some sort of big splash. Outside of that, the division is rather bare of fresh matchups and contenders. I think Volk will enjoy being in there vs someone actually his size in Topuria for the first time in a long damn time, he's going to be quicker, he's going to be using an educated jab, low kicks, lots of lateral movement and footwork. He will put on a pace technically from the outside Topuria cannot match and look to counter when Topuria gets frustrated and starts ripping bombs in frustration. I'm not confident either guy will be able to get their wrestling off early but by the mid point of the fight I wouldn't be surprised if Volk was able to more effectively mix it up. Topuria's got a punchers chance, he's super talented but I haven't seen anything from him that should cause Volk trouble.

Extremely good analysis, sir. This is exactly what I see happening as well. Ilia has power and could surprise us, but this is Volks fight to lose (unless he gets old overnight)

 

[checktheknuckles]

Cracked implies you get finished. Also surely you don't think he's afraid of Aljo after he's beaten the best FWs and gave the best LW his toughest fight outside of a flash finish early in his career. I mean no one is that dumb so I'll assume your trolling on an alt account.

Cracked is before it is gone. Volks chin is definitely cracked. I don't see how you people keep saying his chin is fine when being dropped that many times. We will see if Volk runs up to LW instead of letting Aljo crack that back too.

 

[CPH]

Gotta be fair, the Mendes Volk beat was coming off a 2 year suspension and back to back knockout losses. Mendes retired from MMA after fighting Volk too I believe. Aldo win was kinda similar, it was after Aldo got knocked out by Conor and knocked out twice by Max, Aldo had the Stephen's and Moicano wins but lost to Volk, lost to Moraes and lost to Yan after. I don't rate those wins for Volk the same as I would if he fought them during their primes. Similarly, Volk also fought a washed Zombie. This is probably the biggest issue I have with Volks resume

This is exactly why I have the door wide open for Topuria to rock our world. We have a certain impression of where Volk sits, but it's all based on how good he has looked against two guys: Max and Islam - both of whom are specialists. What we have not seen yet, is him fighting a complete package like Topuria. That jab and footwork of his are going to be a real problem, imo.

 

[checktheknuckles]

With the exception of Islam who won a razor thin decision over him how'd every other fighter you mention fair against Volk? Topuria might touch the chin just like Max, Ortega, Chad et al, but Volk's hand will still be raised come the end of the fight.

At least you've finally admitted how cracked out his chin is.

 

[Fjord]

Nah. Topuria might end up champion one day but it won’t be at the expense of Volk and their upcoming fight. Topuria might get a couple of good combinations in but Volk is too solid.

 

[BangBang]

Anyone who is betting against Volk at this point is just plain ignorant and not paying attention…

 

[BluntForceTrama]

Shedddup w this nonsense

Dude literally is the worst matchup for Tops style

 

[JustBreed]

If everyone that just about touches his chin drops Volk, what makes you think Ilia ain't gonna touch it either? You seem more delusional than pepe.

His chin got cracked by Mendez yeah? His careers been on a real slide since then

 

[maximus__]

Are you saying Emmett is easy to get out of there? Did you see his last fight?

Emmet was finished by 2/3 top 10 fighters he fought and arguably lost to Kattar. I said he is one of the easier guys to get out of there in the top 10. Next easiest would be the current version of KZ. When you compare him to Volk and Ortega for example he is one of the more finishable guys at 145. Ilia did well, clearly won the fight, but he then gassed from a round of 10-8 offence and Josh was able to have decent success in the 5th. I don't think Josh is top 5 at any other era in the UFC. He was ranked because of his split over Cavin in a fight, I believe he should have lost. The rest of his wins were in fights he was having limited success in, until he got a KO.

 

[maximus__]

I'm not saying Emmet is some world beater, but he beat enough guys to earn his spot. Regardless of whether you thought he beat Kattar, he did beat him. No one's saying Emmet should have been top 3 or anything, or that he even has anything for the top guys. He was like 5th or so, which makes perfect sense when you look at the division. Not super elite, but a pretty solid gatekeeper to the elite and top fighters. If you're talking about guys like Emmet, Kattar, Ige, etc, then you're just talking about guys who are fighting for 5th spot, which Emmet does at least deserve.

I mean look at the FW rankings right now. Emmet is 6th. He beat Ige and Kattar who are in the top 15th, and apart from maybe Mosvar, he'd be the rightful favorite against everyone else from 6-15.

You don't remember Emmet using his wrestling to win a lot because, well, he doesn't use it that way. He uses his wrestling if he gets in trouble, but mainly to just keep it standing. No one has really grapple fucked him from what I remember.

You obviously view Emmet as some guy who is supposed to be some aggressive and massive KO threat, but isn't. That's because he's not that guy lol, and never really has been. He landed a few KOs against chinny MJ, Bektic, and past it Lamas. The rest of his wins are decisions. He has 10 of those and only 6 KOs. Most of his KO/Subs are against low level guys outside of the UFC.

Really, Emmet is just a decent enough all round fighter with not huge output who mostly goes to decisions.

I think Topuria's performance definitely impressed. Not so much because I think it shows he could smash the top 5 with ease, but just because it showed some good signs for how he might do against Volk specifically. My biggest concern with Top was his cardio. I didn't think he had the cardio to go 5 rounds, but he proved he did. I didn't think had the fight IQ either. Normally he just goes for it, no matter the opponent. As a result, we've seen him get hurt against Herbert, and we've seen him slow and almost lose to Bryce (Yes, right before the finish he started to suddenly eat shots and slow dramatically before pulling it together). But against Emmet he showed he can keep it together and fight smart. Sure, he fucked up going too hard for the finish later in the fight, but if anything, the fight showed he's more than just an athletic guy with power and skill, and can actually learn. He'll need all that to have any chance against Volk.

Volk's obviously a tough fight for him no matter what, but I actually think someone like Max will give him fits unless he can KO him early.

Top 5 is not a gatekeeper rank. Top 5 is a title contender rank after someone has between a number of top 10-15 opponents.
Emmet technically ticked that box atleast, but his wins Dan Ige (purely ranked off a win over Barboza on FW debut) and Kattar(good win, but he didn't win).

So which one is it? Is Emmet a good wrestler, striker or well rounded guy? You just made my argument for me. He just isn't that good at anything. Nobody really tries to take him down, so he never really wrestles.He took Yair down and got subbed rapidly and he has a big right hand, but doesn't really KO any high level guys. Emmet is the typical wrestler boxer who fell in love with his hands and can be picked apart on the outside. He should get picked apart by most in the top 10 and he usually gets finished when that happens (2/3 finish rate against top ranked guys).

Topuria did great against Emmet, but not enough to pretend he showed he is the guy to beat Volk.

 

[fightfan70]

i think yair beats topuria, max likely beats him too, ortega probably does too.

emmet is not a legit test at this stage in his career.

recency bias at it's finest

 

[checktheknuckles]

His chin got cracked by Mendez yeah? His careers been on a real slide since then

You clearly slow and don't understand simple concepts. Getting dropped by Chad, multiples from Max, Ortega, Volk shows he got a cracked chin. A glass chin would be like Rockhold, which you clearly are thinking about in regards to Volk. No volk isn't at glass chin territory, yet. But his chin is most definitely cracked and if it isn't cracked, then why he keep getting dropped a lot? Ilia is going to add to the crack and possible turn it to glass afterwards.

 

[Captain_Dammitt]

Honestly, at this point I think the only one at 145 is going to beat Volk is by knocking him out. He's not going to get out worked, out skilled, out strategized or out techniqued. I think Ilia is the only one left that can do that. No one he's really faced has KO power at FW.

 

[jko1355]

Unless volk age literally hits him like a truck... he isnt even close to being that guy... thats like saying John hands of stone Lineker was going to demolish Mighty Mouse in his prime...

 

[biscuitsbrah]

Ilia’s speed will definitely be a problem for volk. Better or same hand speed, decent feet. Not like volks but he has the best footwork in the game currently.
Grappling should neutralize each other.

if anyone can do it, it’s gonna be Topuria. Can’t really see anyone in the division coming close besides him.

 

[JustBreed]

You clearly slow and don't understand simple concepts. Getting dropped by Chad, multiples from Max, Ortega, Volk shows he got a cracked chin. A glass chin would be like Rockhold, which you clearly are thinking about in regards to Volk. No volk isn't at glass chin territory, yet. But his chin is most definitely cracked and if it isn't cracked, then why he keep getting dropped a lot? Ilia is going to add to the crack and possible turn it to glass afterwards.

Maybe now he's finally fighting a striker he'll get KO'd right?

 

[Russ82]

You clearly slow and don't understand simple concepts. Getting dropped by Chad, multiples from Max, Ortega, Volk shows he got a cracked chin. A glass chin would be like Rockhold, which you clearly are thinking about in regards to Volk. No volk isn't at glass chin territory, yet. But his chin is most definitely cracked and if it isn't cracked, then why he keep getting dropped a lot? Ilia is going to add to the crack and possible turn it to glass afterwards.

Rockhold was cracked by Jan and Romero, how is that glass chin lmao
If Yoel touched you with a jab you would be dead

 

[Russ82]

Look, mate, I love the Volk also, but I'm also a massive Topuria fan, and I can't shake the feeling that he's going to KO Volk stiff.

I always think everyone is going to KO Volk though, no matter the matchup haha. Even thought Zombie was going to be a problem. Like, part of me knew Volk would smash him with complete ease, but I still had a feeling haha.

You just have confidence issues. Maybe get a blood test for low T?

 

[Poirierfan]

He is the last test really to
Be honest …. And a deserving one

Evloev is not a legit threat at all

Anyone with his kind of power and wrestling is a threat.

 

[JustBreed]

Cracked is before it is gone. Volks chin is definitely cracked. I don't see how you people keep saying his chin is fine when being dropped that many times. We will see if Volk runs up to LW instead of letting Aljo crack that back too.

For the record I don't think his chin has ever been good. Its more that I think it matters less and less the longer his title reign goes on. When he loses the belt, it'll be by ko/tko