Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski: Fighter Analysis

Discussion in 'UFC Discussion' started by Zebra Cheeks, Feb 1, 2020.

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  1. Zebra Cheeks

    Zebra Cheeks Thicka Than A Bowl of Oatmeal Staff Member Senior Moderator

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    • Small for the division
    • Carries massive power and strength for his frame.
    • Can use strength in the clinch extremely effectively to create space, and is an expert at using that space to land shots from all angles.
    • Can create pressure at a very high level, and push a massive pace for 3 rounds. Can maintain pace between grappling, clinch and striking (he can push the pace wherever he wants).
    • Understands how to utilize leg kicks, and strikes at a range to open up the striking game very quickly. The power from his leg kicks forces opponents to react after even just 1-2 quick kicks.
    • Ground and pound is very effective, prefers to sacrifice position on the ground for the opportunity to load up and take huge shots. Absolutely can and will knock you out with G&P
    • Low center of gravity and raw strength makes him difficult to take down
    • Extremely fast. Can go from 0-10 in a blink.
    • Chain wrestles effectively. If the single leg isn’t working, he will change to another takedown very quickly.
    • He doesn’t just put his weight on you up against the cage he is DRIVING.
    What are your thoughts? He’s still a relatively “new” fighter to us as he’s only been in the UFC since 2017, but I think he has a really interesting style and has potential to be a champ for a long time.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2020
    Zebra Cheeks, Feb 1, 2020
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  2. Sansnom

    Sansnom Banned Banned

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    Sansnom, Feb 1, 2020
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  3. Jongoatjones7

    Jongoatjones7 Banned Banned

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    Future FW GOAT. I don't see how Max or any one can beat him. Besides, his record is impressive.
     
    Jongoatjones7, Feb 1, 2020
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  4. resetera

    resetera Banned Banned

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    He's going to be very, very hard to beat.
     
    resetera, Feb 1, 2020
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  5. Zebra Cheeks

    Zebra Cheeks Thicka Than A Bowl of Oatmeal Staff Member Senior Moderator

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    What would be a bad matchup for him? I can’t figure it out right now
     
    Zebra Cheeks, Feb 1, 2020
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  6. Jongoatjones7

    Jongoatjones7 Banned Banned

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    Jongoatjones7, Feb 1, 2020
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  7. BEATDOWNS

    BEATDOWNS Power Slap OG

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    Analysis: He's boring..
     
    BEATDOWNS, Feb 1, 2020
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  8. Dreyga Hates Alex Pereira

    Dreyga Hates Alex Pereira Can’t wait to watch Poatan lose!!! Platinum Member

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    I’m more interested in City Kickboxing as a whole they are producing a shocking amount of contenders/champions for such a small gym. They obviously developed a strong training program along with expert game planning that has proven insanely effective on the top levels.
     
    Dreyga Hates Alex Pereira, Feb 1, 2020
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  9. fortheo

    fortheo Titanium Belt

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    I agree with most of what you said, but according to csac he weighs 165lbs in the octagon, which isn't small for FW.

    I'd add that he has an elaborate feinting game and a great understanding of range.

    He actually might be the most well rounded champ that we have right now. I'd argue that he is. On top of that his fight IQ is very high.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2020
    fortheo, Feb 1, 2020
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  10. Zebra Cheeks

    Zebra Cheeks Thicka Than A Bowl of Oatmeal Staff Member Senior Moderator

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    It’s a small frame but he fills it out so densely with muscle and he still has a great reach. When he fights what I consider a “big” FW like Holloway he uses kicks so well so he’s STILL the one setting the range.
     
    Zebra Cheeks, Feb 1, 2020
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  11. Zebra Cheeks

    Zebra Cheeks Thicka Than A Bowl of Oatmeal Staff Member Senior Moderator

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    It’s only boring at times cause he’s dominant. Like Usman before the Colby fight. When someone pushes him like Colby did to Usman the fights will be more entertaining
     
    Zebra Cheeks, Feb 1, 2020
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  12. fortheo

    fortheo Titanium Belt

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    Yeah. He's honestly probably my favorite champ at the moment, but it's because of how smart the guy is. He understands the fight game and has a great plan for each of his opponents.
     
    fortheo, Feb 1, 2020
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  13. Zebra Cheeks

    Zebra Cheeks Thicka Than A Bowl of Oatmeal Staff Member Senior Moderator

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    Yeah I agree. He really embodies the “mma” style and uses all of his tools really cohesively. I’ve no idea how you even game plan for a guy like this. If you’re a good striker he smothers you, or as he showed with Holloway he’ll even pick you apart. I’d say maybe try putting him on his back, but he’s takedown defense is great and he always ends up on top. I need to watch the mendes fight but the first few I watched he bucks guys immediately every single time.
     
    Zebra Cheeks, Feb 1, 2020
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  14. zippo88

    zippo88 Blue Belt

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    A guy used to play rugby and was over 200lbs. He isn’t small.

    I actually think Zabit would be not the best matchup for Volkanovski and it would be a very competitive fight if Zabit is healthy (he is been having lots of health issues lately which is a concern).
     
    zippo88, Feb 1, 2020
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  15. Benoitthegr8

    Benoitthegr8 Filthy Pensioner Platinum Member

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    Doesn’t matter much Chan Sung Jung sleeps him, KZ era incoming
    <{JustBleed}><{JustBleed}><{JustBleed}><{JustBleed}>



    <Goldie11>
     
    Benoitthegr8, Feb 1, 2020
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  16. Jackonfire

    Jackonfire BMF Mod Staff Member Senior Moderator

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    Yeah, his fight IQ is probably one of his strongest assets
     
    Jackonfire, Feb 1, 2020
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  17. fortheo

    fortheo Titanium Belt

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    He shrugged Mendes off with ease every time Mendes got him down. Max was and probably still is his toughest fight in the division, but a guy like KZ who is also great everywhere and very big at FW and has KO power could also pose problems.
     
    fortheo, Feb 1, 2020
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  18. Masturbin

    Masturbin Porn Addict

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    Before the mendez fight I just thought he was Ryu and Mendez was Ken.

    But the dude showed he was even better than mendez and had a perfect gameplan to beat Aldo et Holloway the dude can adapt that's for sure.
     
    Masturbin, Feb 1, 2020
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  19. Zebra Cheeks

    Zebra Cheeks Thicka Than A Bowl of Oatmeal Staff Member Senior Moderator

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    Yeah, I think if your goal is to work him down or grind him out (a lot of FWs right now) you’re just gonna lose cause that’s what he’s the best at, and he’s clearly the best at it. If you’re a KO artist you need to have the strength to keep him off you, or he just smothers you like Aldo. Man oh man, what a puzzle
     
    Zebra Cheeks, Feb 1, 2020
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  20. Anewt

    Anewt Red Belt

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    I'd also add into his strengths his ability to listen to his coaches ( fight iq I guess covers it ) but even in exchanges he would listen and maintain composure. He sees the value of fients and occasional level changes even if he doesn't get the takedown, he sees the value of the attempt.

    Also broken thumb didn't concern him at all which is a another good sign.
     
    Anewt, Feb 1, 2020
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