• Xenforo Cloud is upgrading us to version 2.3.8 on Monday February 16th, 2026 at 12:00 AM PST. Expect a temporary downtime during this process. More info here

Is Volk the FW GOAT?

Yes, but this fight did nothing for his legacy.
This. & he knows a fight with Yair or Aljo next wouldn't do anything either. Hence why he said in his post fight interview last night that he wants Movsar or Lerone next. Those guys are deserving of a title shot. Yair being in the convo of being next is asinine & comical, & would give some the ammo of discrediting Volk as the FW goat if he's defending against guys who aren't deserving.
 
He should've just defended against Hominick and Gamburyan like Aldo right
Aldo couldn't control the level of his competition. Every potential GOAT is relative to their era and FW was a new weight class when Aldo came to the UFC. Mike Brown and Urijah Faber were solid wins in the WEC at the time. And Aldo dominated and finished both.
 
11-3 (Aldo) vs. 8-1 for Volk is a bit misleading. There's a reasonable chance that Volk will lose his belt soon and then lose a rematch, which often happens. That would give him 3 losses quickly. That stat won't make sense until both retire.
 
Aldo couldn't control the level of his competition. Every potential GOAT is relative to their era and FW was a new weight class when Aldo came to the UFC. Mike Brown and Urijah Faber were solid wins in the WEC at the time. And Aldo dominated and finished both.
Cub was a legit win too. That knee was devastating & spectacular. Granite it wasn't a title fight but it was a number 1 contender match.
 
Do i think this rematch made sense? No. Do I think it was a more dangerous fight for Volk compared to a defence against (the much more deserving) Murphy or Evloev? Yes.
I disagree--especially with Murphy. He has the kind of power and striking to walk down an older Volk and KO him (Ilia gave the blueprint for this). Lopes was a bit too complacent, just like the first fight. And he doesn't have crazy punching power.
 
Max alone is better than anybody Aldo ever beat and he beat Aldo himself, Volk's resume is just far more impressive.

It's not even debatable at this point that Volk > Aldo
See my other response. You have to compare GOATs to the relative competition in their era. Someone who is a champ 10-15 years after another GOAT candidate will almost always be more skilled, with a few exceptions (like GSP and heavier weight classes that don't evolve much).
 
Yes I think so

He has less losses and beat the guy Aldo lost to twice
 
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.

You sure he still beats the Aldo that actually threw kicks?
 
Close to the top but Conor is number 1. Highest FW/LW peak of all time and arguably better than any WW today based on his complete dominance over Cowboy Cerrone in his only WW bout to date.

FW GOAT list:

1. Conor
2. Volk
3. Topuria
4. Aldo
5. Holloway

Volk deserves credit for beating leg hugger Islam, a blight to MMA same as nut sniffer Khabib was.
 
I've got Aldo by a hair but I guess I consider his greatness to be higher than Volk for moving down a weightclass and remaining a top 5-10 guy

Aldo reclaimed the belt after losing it just the same as Volk has, but to me the idea he could make Bantamweight long after his athletic prime and continue to get top wins is a testament to his dominance
 
He's right there, wins over Max and Aldo are big. I think if he gets one more defense that probably locks it up for him.
 
Back
Top