He's in the same situation as Bobby Knuckles, too good for the rest of the division, but not good enough to beat the champ...
you could argue for Kattar based on the fact he only lost to Allen due to the knee injury and the fight vs Emmett was extremely close. its not the best reasoning but i could see that. other than Kattar the next contenders would be Emmett (who just lost to Yair), Giga (who lost badly to Kattar), and Topuria who doesnt have a top 10 win on his resume.
So in this world Yair beats Volk, then proceeds to lose the belt to Max, and Volk despite him having beaten Max 3 times is what now too big to cut back down to 145 having moved up to 155 and thus won't be able to regain the belt and beat Max for the 4th time? Reaching lad.
Yair is a good example. He already lost to Holloway. Luckily, he didn't have to fight him again to get a titleshot or there's a good chance that fight never happens.
I think they should do the fair thing and fight at 145. Volk conceded a huge disadvantage fighting at 155 and may well be able to beat Islam at 145. If one guy is bigger, the only fair thing is to fight at the smaller guy's weight. Volk had the balls to fight Islam at 155, so Islam should show some balls and fight him at 145.
Well Volk should be fighting Yair apparently in July though I thought Yair was demanding to fight in Sep/Oct whenever the UFC opens that institute in Mexico so we'll see if it happens. As it stands both of 289 or 290 could use headliners. I think Topuria might need some time to get rid of the bad habits, wouldn't shock me to see Emmett land on him flush and put him away. Topuria's defensively vulnerable and frequently overswings leaving himself open, he does that against a Volk or Max or even Yair or Allen he's getting starched. Maybe that's just been because he hasn't felt much of a threat coming back against him but he was in danger against Herbert.
Kattar's not a bad shout, thought he certainly did enough to take the win against Emmett but he always looked like the next tier down from Volk, Max etc. If Volk beats Yair Topuria might get a title shot with a finish against Emmett by dint of there really not being anyone else in the top 10 coming off multiple wins, that's a dangerous fight for him though. Other guy who I think is facing Mitchell in a few weeks who might be worth keeping an eye on is Evloev, he wins that fight in dominant fashion he might end up being Max's next victim.
Does it make sense for Zombie? Unless the judge is like Herb and puts him out of his mercy like he did against Volk when he was basically defenseless Max will batter him for 5 full rounds. I'd give Zombie an easier final fight or fights plural before he calls it a day.
Holy shit the idea that the ufc would wait 10 months for a super fight rematch when both champs have people to fight is crazy
Evloev isnt really mentioned much. his style is too safe and he always goes to a decision. when Max goes to a decision the fights are dynamic and exciting. i watched Evloev beat Dan Ige and it was a lot of grinding and slower paced wrestling positions and dominance in that fashion. i dont believe the UFC would be keen on giving him a push for title contention. he might wind up in a Beneil Dariush or Arnold Allen situation; with a giant win streak but still no title shot.
