Volk being short is not a disadvantage...

[Koro_11]

Aside from Islam getting caught by Adriano Martins, which pretty much everyone considers a bit of a fluke, it's obvious his only real tough test and seemingly bad matchup in the UFC so far has been Arman Tsarukyan. Not sure how many sherbros actually watch the fights but if you haven't already you should definitely watch that one.

Now Volk is not the same fighter Arman is, but they do have a lot of similarities. And I know Islam is much improved from that fight, but you can also say the same about Arman as it was his very first UFC fight. But it was another stocky short guy with an endless gas tank and lots of tenacity, a treestump with low center of gravity... a lot like Volk. Now Tsarukyan is probably the better grappler, but Volk is certainly the better striker, with a lot more experience.

I also have a hard time seeing Makhachev losing to anyone right now, but one could argue that Volk is a more savy and more calculated version of Tsarukyan, with weaker grappling but significantly better striking and fight IQ. I have it 60/40 Islam, but I think Volk will really push him to the brink, this is a really interesting fight and I can't wait.

 

[Noraaq]

Being short is only a disadvantage when the reach disparity is similar, however in Volks case he will have the advantage in reach.

 

[GiganticMeat]

Fluke?? Adranino Martins will rise again

 

[fightfan70]

remeber the first matt sera vs gsp first fight. anything can happen.

 

[LoveMyMMA]

I disagree that Arman and Alex have a lot of similarities.

I do agree that people are underestimating Volk.
He's the P4P king for a reason.
He toyed with Max and absolutely dismantled him in his last fight.

 

[MEAN357]

Ngl sparring GOOD shorter guys is always a challenge when they're good at closing the gap, they're in their wheelhouse and your punches are getting smothered.

That said Islam's clinch game and intuitive counter-punching can EASILY negate that. The size and strength difference will likely be noticeable, Islam's a big SOB

 

[Koro_11]

remeber the first matt sera vs gsp first fight. anything can happen.

Nah, I think Volk has a lot more than just a puncher's chance, the puncher's chance goes without saying and everyone has that.

I'm saying I think Volk might actually be able to outgrind him, win a decision or get a late finish.

 

[Liverkick-king56]

Arman is a ball of muscle and Volk is not nearly as explosive. Islam has clinch style takedowns which actually makes it harder for Volk to defend.

It's better to be shorter only if they like going for blast doubles and singles which Islam doesn't seem to.

 

[Diamondsareforever47]

Being short is only a disadvantage when the reach disparity is similar, however in Volks case he will have the advantage in reach.

I do not know about that. Jones had a reach advantage over Gust but Gust had longer legs and is 1 inch taller and thus the wingspan advantage Jones had of 5 inches seemed negated as Gust was punching down. Also, Islam is so much taller that has got to help because he will be punching down more easily.

 

[HaulParris]

Fluke?? Adranino Martins will rise again

 

[Black Blood]

In MMA, I find their is little advantage to being the shorter guy. You wanna be as tall and as lanky as you can be in general.

 

[Koro_11]

In MMA, I find their is little advantage to being the shorter guy. You wanna be as tall and as lanky as you can be in general.

Like all those tall lanky HW champions?

 

[chaos_36]

In MMA, I find their is little advantage to being the shorter guy. You wanna be as tall and as lanky as you can be in general.

This is true apart from ground and pound, having shorter limbs means you need less distance to generate velocity and also having a low centre of gravity allows you to stuff doubles easier.

 

[gilbert_mma]

manlet detected

 

[WildShrimper]

I disagree that Arman and Alex have a lot of similarities.

I do agree that people are underestimating Volk.
He's the P4P king for a reason.
He toyed with Max and absolutely dismantled him in his last fight.

Yeah I'm actually surprised that Islam is like a 4 to 1 favourite, doesn't really make sense to me. Unless people truly think Islam is unbeatable like they did with Khabib, (some people).

 

[jitzmonkey]

After this fight, I don't remember an instance of Islam really ever over committing.
On the contrary, I only recall him being very careful about controlling distance and staying out of range.

Definitely don't mind being corrected on this one.

 

[Reign009]

It's not so much the height that will be the issue, it's the fact that Islam is just such a beast. Epecially, when he gets ahold of you.

 

[VAfan]

Being short is only a disadvantage when the reach disparity is similar

this isn't true. it's not the only disadvantage. any boxer will tell you it's exhausting punching up at a much taller opponent. and he's going to have to do a lot of boxing in this fight, at least if he wants it to go his way. he's a big underdog for a reason.

 

[DOMMA]

One of the greatest fighters in history was shorter than every opponent he faced.

 

[Koro_11]

this isn't true. it's not the only disadvantage. any boxer will tell you it's exhausting punching up at a much taller opponent. and he's going to have to do a lot of boxing in this fight, at least if he wants it to go his way. he's a big underdog for a reason.

Except Volk is always punching up and it never matters.