The Volk that fought Islam was a different fighter than the Volk that fought Topuria

[MetaIIica]

Before and after Volk fought Islam the first time he had a certain aura of invincibility around him. Volk had taken 2 rounds from Islam in that fight, utterly dominating the last minutes. Volk had an impressive 20 Fight win streak, multiple title defenses, only 1 loss and 25 wins. Then they rematched on 11 days notice and Volk got his lights shut off by a head kick, then Volk comes around and rematches Topuria a few months later and gets his lights shut even worse, almost as if his chin is gone in just 2 fights. So Volk went from 25-1 Champion to 26-4 coming off 2 bad knockout losses in a row and it doesn't seem like he can take a punch the way he was in the holloway fights. I think this version of Volkanovski would have gotten slept by Holloway.

 

[GrantB13]

Things happen. Anybody can get put out.

 

[MetaIIica]

Things happen. Anybody can get put out.

It's a lot easier when the chin goes like with Liddell , or Overeem, and now Volk

 

[Lee Danger]

it looks to me the same Volk that picks his opponent apart from distance, except this time his opponent knew how and when get inside.
Topuria is a great inside fighter, Volk is a distance keeper fighter: the outcome was almost inevitable.

 

[RichardHarrow]

I do agree - those were different Volks. Pre- Islam Volk wouldn’t have lost.

 

[Milenkovic]

Actually i noticed that if you look at Volk during the Max fights, even KZ, he was very light on his feet, in and out.

Against Islam and even against Topuria, he was more flat footed. He had his moments where he tried to go in and out, and circle about, but it was nothing compared to how he used to fight.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

Well yeah. Getting knocked out makes you vulnerable. The next step is trying to mentally overcome a bad defeat. When you gotta work through this while trying to defend the belt is usually a disaster waiting to happen

 

[Prex32]

he should have taken his time after that first close fight
instead he rushed into two fights unprepared in desperation mode
paid the price

 

[ipowerslapmywife]

Volk also likely had an issue dealing with featherweight speed. He had got used to training for a bigger slower lightweight for the last year. Then he came back too fast after getting knocked out

 

[DOMMA]

What you are failing to consider is Volk's age. 35 years old. 35 year old Featherweights are like dogs chasing cars...they do no last. Volk is done beating the top guys.

 

[Koala]

Is it a topic about Old Man Volk?

 

[The Siege]

I do agree - those were different Volks. Pre- Islam Volk wouldn’t have lost.

Polytheist Volk had the allegiance of the various Arabian tribes scattered on the Peninsula, but once Islam came, he lost their loyalty and was left vulnerable to an attack by the Spaniards.

 

[ipowerslapmywife]

What you are failing to consider is Volk's age. 35 years old. 35 year old Featherweights are like dogs chasing cars...they do no last. Volk is done beating the top guys.

 

[Goat Poster]

You guys are insane.

Show that k.o. to anyone who likes combat sports but not MMA and ask what they think. No one is gonna come up with "weak punch, weak chin". Not a single person.

 

[Flower2dPeople]

This just proves that Islam ruins everything.

 

[Egészségére!]

He did ko Yair after Islam 1 so I doubt that mattered much

The UAE KO loss is another story

 

[mangokush]

Ilia is a better fighter than both Volk & Islam

Islam had trouble against Full Camp Volk and barely won a close decision while Ilia KOd Full Camp Volk within 2 rounds

 

[BigDramaShow26]

You guys gotta look more at the opponent and the matchup. Volk has been rocked before by the most similar type of puncher Topuria is in Mendes. Eventhough he's short he likes to operate at a distance. You could tell right away he was cooked once he had to plant and trade.

 

[Subline]

Volk also likely had an issue dealing with featherweight speed. He had got used to training for a bigger slower lightweight for the last year. Then he came back too fast after getting knocked out

But he also fought Yair in between his fights with Islam.

 

[nostradumbass]

It wasn't after the first Islam fight. Volk's confidence after that fight was at an all time high after taking a round or 2 against a guy who doesn't lose rounds to anyone else. Getting KO'd in the 2nd fight seemed a lot more demoralizing and probably caused a little bit of doubt, which makes a big difference.

Ilia is a better fighter than both Volk & Islam

Islam had trouble against Full Camp Volk and barely won a close decision while Ilia KOd Full Camp Volk within 2 rounds

Lol, Islam straight up ragdolls Topuria, and could even decide to not bother wrestling and would probably KO him standing. Topuria is dangerous at range that he only gets against really short guys or guys with poor striking defense.