Media Volk wants Max to stop beating up his contenders

[613]

I mean, you have to feel at least a bit sorry for Max. The guy is elite, has so many wars behind him and would have been a long reigning champion in any other time except when you have a once in a generation freak talent such as Volk around. Moving up in division proved hard for both of them, I don’t see how that is a very viable option for Max if he wants to hold the belt again.

Once in a generation gets thrown around far to often

 

[World eater]

Some of us already saw it.

I know what you mean. But unless mma stops awarding wins according to boxing rules, it won’t change. If you count round by round, Islam won 3-2 (or 4-1). I wanted Volk to win badly and will certainly root for him again when or if the rematch happens.

 

[World eater]

Once in a generation gets thrown around far to often

It does. But Volk is already in goat discussions and has defeated the other two goat candidates from his division (Aldo and Max), so it’s not exaggeration in his case.

 

[Adamant__]

I know what you mean. But unless mma stops awarding wins according to boxing rules, it won’t change. If you count round by round, Islam won 3-2 (or 4-1). I wanted Volk to win badly and will certainly root for him again when or if the rematch happens.

They need to stop awarding stalling. It's so fkn annoying. Islam didn't do shit in the 4th round, held on for dear life. Volk was more active and his shots were more damaging. No sub attempt, no advancing position, just holding like a lil coward.

2, 3 and 5 for Volk and I'll die on this hill. His shots were more effective and he dropped Makhachev 2 times in those 3 rounds.

1 and 4 for Islam but that 4th round was pathetic. Fair play to him in the 1st round.

Damage > all but it didn't count this time:

Volk broke him in the 5th round.

 

[fortheo]

My thoughts exactly. However, I don’t see Volk beating Islam, so not sure what going to LW offers him. If he does somehow win, the narrative changes, obviously.

Why don't you see volk being able to beat him? that first fight was extremely close and volk has shown a great ability to adapt for rematches. Volk also showed that he is just as physically strong in clinch situations and has better conditioning. I like volk's chances a lot in a rematch, unless volk's age finally catches up to him.

 

[World eater]

Why don't you see volk being able to beat him? that first fight was extremely close and volk has shown a great ability to adapt for rematches. Volk also showed that he is just as physically strong in clinch situations and has better conditioning. I like volk's chances a lot in a rematch, unless volk's age finally catches up to him.

Two reasons. First, Islam will adapt as well + he is younger and bigger. Second, the first match was on Volk’s home ground and he had one of those “when the stars align” possibilities to achieve greatness and failed. Not saying he can’t win, I hope he does, but wouldn’t bet on it. Also, I hope the rematch is not in Abu Dhabi, There’s just something fishy about that place.

 

[World eater]

Damage > all but it didn't count this time:

Volk broke him in the 5th round.

Yes. That’s why some of us miss rings, 10 minute first rounds, soccer kicks and all that.

 

[fortheo]

Two reasons. First, Islam will adapt as well + he is younger and bigger. Second, the first match was on Volk’s home ground and he had one of those “when the stars align” possibilities to achieve greatness and failed. Not saying he can’t win, I hope he does, but wouldn’t bet on it. Also, I hope the rematch is not in Abu Dhabi, There’s just something fishy about that place.

Do you have examples of Islam adapting in rematches? I don't know if he's as good at adapting as volk is. Islam was younger and bigger the first fight, too, so again, unless volk ages overnight, that's not a big factor here. I don't think the location of that fight altered anything really -- if anything I think it made volk too excited which is why he stupidly joked around mid fight, which led to him giving up his back and thus the fourth round.

And I agree with your last sentence.

 

[Vespasian70AD]

Doesn't. This narrative is so dumb lol. If you're so dehydrated then don't cut massive amount of weight.

30 hour rehydration = early prelim fighters. Do they look any different? No.

We’ll see. All fighters are different. Guys at the pointy end of divisions tend to be the biggest weight cutters.

To suggest that all fighters have the same recovery. Would be “so dumb lol”.

 

[DoubleTrouble]

They need to stop awarding stalling. It's so fkn annoying. Islam didn't do shit in the 4th round, held on for dear life. Volk was more active and his shots were more damaging. No sub attempt, no advancing position, just holding like a lil coward.

2, 3 and 5 for Volk and I'll die on this hill. His shots were more effective and he dropped Makhachev 2 times in those 3 rounds.

1 and 4 for Islam but that 4th round was pathetic. Fair play to him in the 1st round.

Damage > all but it didn't count this time:

Volk broke him in the 5th round.

Watch Cejudo's breakdown of the fight and any other MMA expert analysis post fight.

There were zero knockdowns for Volk and arguably one for Islam which wasn't counted.

Islam had his worst night and still won 4 out of 5 rounds.

If they fight again Islam will finish him.

 

[World eater]

Do you have examples of Islam adapting in rematches?

That would be pretty hard to do since (to my knowledge) he never rematched anyone so far. But the Dagestani training camps and match preparation are top notch and it would be silly of me to expect otherwise.

 

[dildos]

Funny that, Izzy has been in the same situation with whittaker.

 

[Bojka]

lol... pretty funny.

 

[AbominableJoman]

Max just settling into his #2 spot where he deserves to be…

 

[Ramon Antonio]

Just because Max beat those contenders and Alex beat Max, it doesn't mean Alex would beat all those contenders. It's a shame we aren't going to see those fights. Obviously he's a big favorite against anyone in that division, but still.

 

[Cobra 03]

Maybe it's time for Holloway to try the LW division again. Sure, he lost to Poirior, but Dustin is a great fighter, and maybe it just wasn't Max's night that night. I bet Max was sure disappointed when they raised Islam's hand in his fight with Volk!

 

[LetThemBleed]

Funny that, Izzy has been in the same situation with whittaker.

Still think Whittaker has a path to win that third fight, might need to lean into the Malkoun style heavily and be a blanket but there's a way.

 

[LetThemBleed]

Just because Max beat those contenders and Alex beat Max, it doesn't mean Alex would beat all those contenders. It's a shame we aren't going to see those fights. Obviously he's a big favorite against anyone in that division, but still.

Apart from Allen who has plenty of time to circle back who else is there given Volk's fighting Yair next? Kattar? Think he's a step below being a title contender.

 

[MDoza]

Volk needs to beat a LW contender before he gets another shot at Makhachev.

 

[corrupted]

One of them has to move. I don't know weather it's fair, but it's how it has to move surely.

If it's Max, I mean, he's only 31. Maybe he takes a full year off and works on his S&C and adapts his style slightly to make room for some actual power. Maybe that's a route. The difference between Dustin and him was almost entirely the power. And the other guys at 155 aren't exactly pillow fisted.