Merab vs Volk

[Bowel-forged Stool]

Would be fun to see Volk be the taller guy at the weigh ins for once

 

[Rapa]

I think you’re being a bit silly and biased. Maybe come back when you’ve calmed down

No dude i am just guy who can see fighters skills and what they can do people were telling me same about topuria and merab long before they were ranked fighters

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

The Volk that fought Islam the first time wins handidly, his counter grappling that fight was beautiful.

The Volk that fought against Lopes has noticeably slowed down. It's about a 50/50 fight at this point, either Merab grinds Volk out against the cage or Volk picks him apart from range.
If Merab proves that he's evolving as a submission threat, he's an issue for anyone under 155 until the wheels come off.

 

[Marko Polo]

No dude i am just guy who can see fighters skills and what they can do people were telling me same about topuria and merab long before they were ranked fighters

 

[jnes]

Volk is a nightmare matchup for Merab. Plus it's not like Merab is a big bantamweight.

 

[Rapa]

U are same as almost everyone

 

[xhaydenx]

Volk would kill Merab lol.

Way too strong, can wrestle, way better striker. Just too good.

 

[Lycandroid]

If this fight were to happen by the time it does Volk will have declined. Merab takes this one easy.

 

[Prazeres]

Not sure how Merab would overwhelm Volk when he basically shut down Max Holloway

 

[Aurelian]

The Volk that fought Islam the first time wins handidly, his counter grappling that fight was beautiful.

The Volk that fought against Lopes has noticeably slowed down. It's about a 50/50 fight at this point, either Merab grinds Volk out against the cage or Volk picks him apart from range.
If Merab proves that he's evolving as a submission threat, he's an issue for anyone under 155 until the wheels come off.

This. I know it sounds silly, but I would not be in the least bit surprised if Merab could win 3 rounds of wall and stall. Or shoot so many fucking takedowns Volk just has to stay constantly defending takedowns ala what he did to Petr Yan. Not even really a "fight" but a weaponized cardio assault.

People just totally writing Merab off aren't looking at the whole picture here. Volk is getting old and can be broken down just like the rest of Merab's opponents.

 

[maximus__]

Does Merab have a chance?

Merab already beat goat Aldo

Volkanovski with the reach advantage for once in his career against a guy that doesn't have KO power?

Merab is good, but Volk is his nightmare. An equally talented wrestler, with a comparable gastank, better footwork AND a size and strength advantage. Look at Aljo having success but not being so dominant in the grappling at 145.

 

[YourBoss]

Merab can only use his insane endurance if he can mix in his grappling cause in a pure striking contest Volk would kill him. And Volk happens to be insanely strong and good at grappling so i think he would just shut that part of merabs game up, and finish him in a standup fight.

 

[Subline]

Volk is a way better striker, he's bigger/stronger which takes away one of Merab's biggest advantages in his fights, and he has an elite gas tank + has went 25 minutes with a big LW w/ elite wrestling in Islam and didn't look particularly tired at the end of it. I'd pick Volk to dominate.

 

[Typrune Goatley]

Damn, that would be such a sick fight. Both are similar height and both are freaking tanks. Volk probably has better striking while Merab usually always has the cardio advantage, even though Volk is a cardio machine too.

Volk is so powerful, it's going to be hard for Merab to push him against the fence or secure takedowns.

First 3 rounds will be decided by striking which Volk probably edges it. If Volk has enough left in the tank to skate through the last 2 rounds he should win a decision. But Merab would be banking on drowning Volk late. I just don't think he could finish Volk. If I had to pick, I pick Volk because that's a tough matchup, best fighter from a division above. Of course I would never be surprised if Merab does his Merab thing

 

[Safton]

I think Merab would make it more competitive than he has any right to, especially if he fought the current battle-worn version of Volk who has bypassed the forbidden 35-year mark.

That being said... I would still favor Volk. I don't think Merab has the body composition to be super-imposing at Featherweight (he's not a fuckhuge Bantamweight in all honesty) and Volk made Islam struggle to impose his offensive grappling all the way up at 155, even when he was coming off the couch in the rematch. That says a lot to me. Volk's never really struggled cardio-wise, even in grappling-heavy fights.

I think Merab would be a live underdog, but I would have to favor Volk more often than not.

 

[Fact Checker]

Volk had his day and was a beast in his prime… that being said:


Merab would beat this weeble wobble version of Volk. He’s looking more vulnerable every fight since getting KO’d.

Merab wouldn’t let him do his stale pitter patter dance rountine. I think he’d wear Volk out and maybe even catch him on that decrepit chin with a haymaker coming in the way he was tagging O’Malley.

 

[RockyLockridge]

I dont think volk beats merab easily. I do think merab would give volk all he could Handle. I think Merab could beat evloev or yair though, so if volk loses to them and defends against Sandhagen, then I could definately see merab as a double champ.

 

[Joshua Judd]

Strength difference would be too much I think. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Volk reverse the game and wall and stall Merab instead.