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- Aug 25, 2021
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I am shook by Romanov's grappling. On the feet Drago has the clear advantage - 5" taller, 5" reach advantage, 23 (T)KOs, including Rozenstruik, Overeem and Werdum, nasty kicks as well as powerful and accurate punches, high level distance management and timing. He is one of the best strikers in the division - Gane is better and possibly Pavlovich, that's it. On the feet he will damage King Kong and finish him if he can keep the fight at range.
But obviously that's the opposite of what Romanov wants, he is a highly qualified wrestler who has been able to impose his gameplan on every opponent so far except last time out against Tybura. And Volkov beat Tybura, by decision, which is to his credit. By no means am I counting Drago out of this but he will have to have been working on his defensive grappling and put in a top performance to keep the fight where he wants it. Tybura is a strong grappler with a BJJ black belt though, replicating what he did will not be easy.
Romanov is going to press Volkov and try to walk him back to the cage and enter the clinch/shoot for a takedown, and his takedowns are good. I would say he is physically stronger than Drago as well as being a better grappler and having a lower centre of gravity. Volkov is good at stalling and defending himself from his back but obviously that isn't going to win him the fight, it just means he might lose by decision, like he did against Blaydes. Can Volkov get up with Romanov on top of him? Romanov usually finishes from top position, it's a dangerous place to be.
Drago has decent power (but not great) and he's going to need all of it to get King Kong's respect early and discourage him from stepping forward. If Romanov does get him down and hold him down Volkov's perspectives will not be good. Romanov has never been stopped by strikes but he's never faced a striker on Volkov's level either. Last time Drago faced a guy with good take downs and submissions he got blown away in 75 seconds (Aspinall) and it could happen again if he's not careful. Even if Romanov doesn't get the finish if he can force him to wrestle, tire Volkov out, slow him down and make him hesitant to strike he can take over the fight and get a decision.
This is a dangerous fight for Drago and he will need to show improvement and put in a top performance to come out on top. He needs a win here to stay relevant to the top 5 and unfortunately I think it's going to be beyond his reach. But hopefully he has put in the work and can surprise me!
