Is Volk the FW GOAT?

[markg171]

Don’t know but Taking that Ilia fight on short notice right after taking the short notice KO loss to Islam is the GOAT in worst ever MMA decisions.

Amazed he bounced back so well.

Hey he could've been KO'd by Max back to back like Aldo

 

[GrantB13]

3 of those fights are against a guy that smoked aldo twice and is one of the greatest featherweigts and P4P fighters himself. I dont think Aldo has any win of that caliber.

Yes, but then why not claim Topuria is the FW GOAT? He smoked Holloway and Volkanovski worse than anyone ever has and more than they themselves ever smoked anyone. That's why I don't like this linearity of "the guy who beat the guy who beat the guy".

I mean, Aldo rematched Frankie, Mendes, and Max.

Ufc loves rematches bro

LOL what?

Listed 5 guys with multiple rematches.

It's not necessarily the rematches themselves (because it's almost impossible to not have one unless you're a short-reign champ) but how much a fighters career is comprised of them. Rematches in and of themselves aren't the problem but the way the UFC does them is shit. Even considering rematches, the GOATs of divisions tend to still have more unique wins despite a couple rematches in there. And they usually aren't immediate like today's champion rematches are.

 

[markg171]

Topuria slumped him dead to sleep.

Alex is one of the best fighters of his generation, and the best featherweight of his prime. You can't really compare guys outside of their best.

Meanwhile Aldo got KO'd in 3 different title defences.

2x to a guy Volk beat 3x.

While also losing head to head to Volk.

Fake outrage.

 

[VAfan]

it's still a debate but i have no problems with anyone saying it. i thought lopes had a shot tonite but volk's just in another class, his mobility is second to none, he's just really hard to hit and one of the highest fight IQs of all time.

 

[SeanWRT]

With his KO loss to Topuria in FW division albeit following a KO loss to Islam LW because of which some would argue he’s not fully recovered in his fight with Illia, the case for Volk being the FW GOAT is questionable. It’d take at least a competitive rematch with Topuria to get Volk into the GOAT conversation IMO.

 

[CatchtheseHands]

Why? Is Aldo's defence against Hominick so impressive to you tht Volk really needs to overcome it

Nah, Volk already surpassed Aldo imo. It's just that no one will be able to say Volk isn't FW goat if he beats Mosvar and Lerone.

 

[markg171]

Eh, this fight did nothing for his legacy. Pointless rematch and not that much different than their first fight. I mean Aldo had two decision wins over Frankie Edgar, but they were 3 years apart. I can see a case for Volk as FW GOAT, but he has 4 wins (all be decision) against two fighters (Max and Lopes, with Max being more significant).

He should've just defended against Hominick and Gamburyan like Aldo right

 

[LEWIS540]

With his KO loss to Topuria in FW division albeit following a KO loss to Islam LW because of which some would argue he’s not fully recovered in his fight with Illia, the case for Volk being the FW GOAT is questionable. It’d take at least a competitive rematch with Topuria to get Volk into the GOAT conversation IMO.

Considering Ilia is a decade younger and left the division, it’s never happening.

That entire notion is dumb, either way.

 

[JKS]

I got Volk at FW goat. The only other contender is Aldo and IMO Volk has surpassed him. Aldo has a couple more defenses, but Volk has the better resume and also, he's a W over Aldo. I think most criteria that goes into GOAT is about accomplishments, wins and resume. But you also have to consider actually being the best. Volk has one defeat at FW, Aldo has 4 vs Max 2x, Conor and Volk. I have a hard time placing Aldo as GOAT in this case considering he clearly lost to 3 other top FWs.

 

[JKS]

With his KO loss to Topuria in FW division albeit following a KO loss to Islam LW because of which some would argue he’s not fully recovered in his fight with Illia, the case for Volk being the FW GOAT is questionable. It’d take at least a competitive rematch with Topuria to get Volk into the GOAT conversation IMO.

But we're not gonna consider the other contender Aldo getting TKO'd 2x by Max, KO'd by Conor and losing to Volk?

 

[Deceasedxo]

100%

 

[Natural Order]

Probably, yes.

One more title defense victory against somebody like Evloev or Murphy and it's tough to argue.

 

[KO Shotz]

Aldo, Volk, & Max are the FW GOATS.

Aldo is the pioneer & put the division on the map, Max carried it, & Volk is running it.

 

[Bouboumaster]

In the same tier, but I would give the smallest of edge to Volk I guess

 

[Sweater of AV]

Glad to see Volk is still doing well.

It's close, can't go wrong with either Volk or Aldo. A couple more defenses and it shouldn't be a question.

 

[Shay Brennan]

Aldo.

Aldo is an absolute legend but let's be real: Volk 30-27ed him on home soil. He 50-45ed Holloway on home soil too. They have the same amount of title fight wins with 8 and Volk just became the only FW champ in UFC history to defend a regained belt. That's something even Aldo couldn't do.

If Volk defends successfully again he will have the same number of title defenses as well.
We need a poll.

Evloev in April/May would be good.

 

[Harlekin]

Aldo has more defenses.
Volk would beat him 9 out 10

Can't just both guys be the best of their time? Training, science, sport evolves.
When Aldo started, guys were training in their garage.

 

[Verderglen23]

I gotta lean Jose because of resume diversity and more knockouts

 

[Local Plata]

Aldo, IMO.

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

I love Aldo, but you have to give it to Volk at this point

The two biggest factors for me are 1. beating the following generation of fighters after your own, which is unbelievably rare, and difficult to do, I know most don't think about this, but it matters a lot imo... even most of the greats like Anderson aren't able to accomplish this

And beating PRIME Max Holloway three times, these are some of the most quality title defenses in the history of the sport, most champions never get the opportunity to beat someone as good as Max in his prime... Volk did it three times