The second coming of Houston Alexander or is Volkan for real?

[Yujiro Hanma]

I can't help but remember when Houston Alexander was for real...and then he wasn't. Similar to Sokoudjou in Pride...but before long, both of those guys were exposed, and their impressive wins seemed like flukes. What is your general feeling about Volkan?..Do you think he will falter and just fall off..or is he a real contender?

 

[RDUBYA]

He'll never fight for the belt

 

[Headkicktoleg]

Volkin is FOR REAL

 

[PalmStrike]

Paging Thiago Silva !

 

[SnowInformer]

I thought the same comparison. It's tough to say, but he did go 3 competitive rounds with a real prospect in OSP, something Houston and Sokoudjou never really did.

 

[victorious_ian]

If we only had him starching Manuwa and Cirkunov in seconds, I would be a little wary of fluke potential. We also have the 15 full minutes against OSP in his UFC debut - that's pretty impressive, and means he already has more UFC wins than Houston Alexander did in his entire career. He's a legit top 10 guy and a rising contender.

 

[Ryan G]

He'll never fight for the belt

Shit, he's probably next in line at this point after Gustafsson.

 

[jessejecmma]

I'm gonna have to find another Spock gif eventually...

... but not today

 

[RDUBYA]

Shit, he's probably next in line at this point after Gustafsson.

I am surviving on too little sleep...I read the title as Volkov! haha!

 

[MCS]

Houston was a power brawler and that's it, but Soko had Judo and a more rounded striking game with that power. His meltdowns were a big letdown considering what he brought to the table.

Volkan's a tough dude who's Carwin-like up close. Wasn't all that from distance vs OSP, but he's deadly in the clinch. Jones, Gus & DC know that now, they won't get sucked into a brawl up close. Shogun & Tex could get brutalized cuz they don't give a damn.

Can be a lasting top 5 considering mileaged Rua made the top 5 recently, but Volkan won't be champ based on the 3 UFC fights he's had.

 

[HaulParris]

Houston was a power brawler and that's it, but Soko had Judo and a more rounded striking game with that power. His meltdowns were a big letdown considering what he brought to the table.

Volkan's a tough dude who's Carwin-like up close. Wasn't all that from distance vs OSP, but he's deadly in the clinch. Jones, Gus & DC know that now, they won't get sucked into a brawl up close. Shogun & Tex could get brutalized cuz they don't give a damn.

Can be a lasting top 5 considering mileaged Rua made the top 5 recently, but Volkan won't be champ based on the 3 UFC fights he's had.

I like your analysis.

 

[gevoudane]

From what I hear he is pretty well respected in the mauy thai world. Houston pretty much had a faked underground scene rep.