Anyone feel like Lopes has it against Volk?

[CroCopsLHK]

I dont know. I feel like the first fight Volkanovski won by the skin of his teeth

I feel they are opposite career trajectories but I wouldn't mind being wrong. But right now I feel Diego has all the grappling advantage and it will come down to striking once again

So can Volk outstrike him for 5 rounds? KO him? Finish him with GnP?

 

[Theynevergoeasy]

I agree. Volk is really getting up there and I feel these days he needs to fight perfect for 5 rounds to win. His reactions are definitely gonna start slowing and probably already have considerably. I would not be surprised at all if Lopes clipped him this time. That’s all it takes over 25 minutes and I don’t think Lopes will be as tentative as he was last time out.

 

[Dr Fong]

You must have been huffing paint if you thought the first fight was close, yet are probably right that Volk is fucked in the rematch.

Elderly Volk was clearly a diminished fighter, and another year and a serious injury are going to compound that. Lopes will be better.

TKO are aware of this and that's why this awful rematch has been made.

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

He's at that age where any night, could very well be 'the night'

I think they want that Mexican demographic so badly, they're going all in on a Brazilian that trains with, and fights like other Mexicans.

They're fucking Movsar around almost as blatantly as Arman.
As a fan of Diego (personally speaking)
I think this gamble is a bit premature, going 0-2 in title fights to a champ that is nearing the end of his career would be a significantly bigger setback for DLs long term prospects this time around.

This should have been Murphy/Evloev vs Volk, and Diego getting the other guy in a number 1 contender fight

 

[CroCopsLHK]

He's at that age where any night, could very well be 'the night'

I think they want that Mexican demographic so badly, they're going all in on a Brazilian that trains with, and fights like other Mexicans.

They're fucking Movsar around almost as blatantly as Arman.
As a fan of Diego (personally speaking)
I think this gamble is a bit premature, going 0-2 in title fights to a champ that is nearing the end of his career would be a significantly bigger setback for DLs long term prospects this time around.

This should have been Murphy/Evloev vs Volk, and Diego getting the other guy in a number 1 contender fight

I was thinking the same thing. If Diego loses his title prospects are a bit fucked

Evoev got fucked

 

[oldschoolmmafan]

Volk is on a different level, even with age and mileage. Lopez is far too sloppy on the feet and Volk has incredible footwork. I don't think he offers much and I believe Volk will get the finish this time around.

 

[tasticles]

He's at that age where any night, could very well be 'the night'

I think they want that Mexican demographic so badly, they're going all in on a Brazilian that trains with, and fights like other Mexicans.

They're fucking Movsar around almost as blatantly as Arman.
As a fan of Diego (personally speaking)
I think this gamble is a bit premature, going 0-2 in title fights to a champ that is nearing the end of his career would be a significantly bigger setback for DLs long term prospects this time around.

This should have been Murphy/Evloev vs Volk, and Diego getting the other guy in a number 1 contender fight

Ive watched an insane amount of fights over the years. Theres something about the age of 38 thats often the last good year or they fall way off.

 

[Dmac07]

The first fight wasn't close, Volk had it by a long way.

I think Volk is better everywhere, I don't think there is a grappling advantage, look at how Volk could grapple against Islam who is so far ahead of Lopes in grappling.

I think Volk will be winning every minute of this and will win 50-45 or 49-46 if if gets to the scorecards, or a late finish if Lopes gets over the top aggressive late when down and exhausted. The big but though, is he every chance to get clipped and KOd at some point across those 5 rounds, via a bigger, now more athletic opponent with a better power to chin ratio than what is coming back at him.

I have it 50/50.

 

[fortheo]

Volk won like every exchange in that fight except two, yet still nearly found a way to lose. His chin is going and his speed and reflexes are going.

Giving a power hitter and great finisher like lopes two tries is scary as fuck. I'll root for volk again, but i think his motivation isn't the same anymore, along with his declining physical attributes. Skill for skill though, he's better than Diego everywhere except playing guard.

One thing I'll disagree with you on is saying Diego has all the grappling advantage. Volk is obviously the better wrestler and he was bouncing diego's head off the canvas with gnp during the only ground time In the first fight.

 

[PaulieVegas27]

No. But thanks for asking.

 

[Kenny Powerth]

Setting up a trilogy though and I say no thanks

 

[PeterGriffin]

He's at that age where any night, could very well be 'the night'

I think they want that Mexican demographic so badly, they're going all in on a Brazilian that trains with, and fights like other Mexicans.

They're fucking Movsar around almost as blatantly as Arman.
As a fan of Diego (personally speaking)
I think this gamble is a bit premature, going 0-2 in title fights to a champ that is nearing the end of his career would be a significantly bigger setback for DLs long term prospects this time around.

This should have been Murphy/Evloev vs Volk, and Diego getting the other guy in a number 1 contender fight

Nailed it. Lopes vs. Volk 2 was a bizarre match up and I can only assume they want Lopes to win and stick the fun fighter on the WH card.

The longer the first fight went, the more it seemed to be swinging in Lopes' favour. I may have to rewatch that fight. Volk has only gotten older since, and I yes, I expect Lopes to beat him. But still, bizarre title match up to start with.

 

[Jackonfire]

Lopes did better the longer the fight went on. He took a round on all 3 cards, one judge gave him 2 rounds. Still a clear victory for Volk but it wasn't easy. Post fight Volk said Lopes was the hardest hitter he's faced. He also said Lopes had the best chin out of all his opponents. He talked about having to get both eyes stitched up as well as stitches inside his mouth. I think if Lopes can start early he can win.

 

[Pequeño Corey]

Not sure if old man Volk can cheat father time again. Would be really cool if he did. May have to hammer Lopez at ever so slight plus money.

 

[jeff7b9]

2 Possible winners in this fight.
Neither is Diego Lopes.


1 - Volk wins again.
2 - Father time beats volk.



It would be the most crystal clear case ever since Volk handled Lopes and they are running it back with the only variable being that volk is older.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

"Skin of his teeth" is a stretch.

If anyone has a feeling that Lopes could win, it's purely based on vibes. Sure, there are trends in MMA when it comes to aging and accruing injuries, and that there are no sure results and anything can happen, especially with a powerful striker. Now, those can still be determining factors so they could very well end up true, but there was nothing in Lopes' turnaround win that suggested anything would go different.

 

[phillystyleswag]

I don’t trust Lopes striking that much. He’s powerful but ultimately pretty limited skill for skill compared to Volk. Volk should lose but for that reason I lean no. I’d feel better about Lopes if he got his grappling more involved this time.

 

[Ladder Master]

I am awaiting their 6th and 7th matches, to truly determine who is the better fighter.

Just like Moreno and Fig fought 9 times. It's the only way to find out
who is the best mixed martial artist.

 

[Staph infection]

2 Possible winners in this fight.
Neither is Diego Lopes.


1 - Volk wins again.
2 - Father time beats volk.



It would be the most crystal clear case ever since Volk handled Lopes and they are running it back with the only variable being that volk is older.

This is it, as much as like Lopes and I really wanted him to win the first fight.

Lopes is just a notch below Volk and he will not be able to close that gap for this fight. Volk either wins this outright or father time finally delivers the death blow to Volk and his age will affect him and Lopes will win due to this.

 

[Subline]

Volk is the better point striker, and has the more well-rounded skillset. Diego is always dangerous on the feet though and has a granite chin, I'd like to see Volk commit to the grappling more in fight 2.