Is Volkanovski underestimated vs Islam?

I agree and think this could be a very competitive fight. Volk is very good and active on the feet with a great gastank. Islam is the better fighter on the ground but how hard will he have to work to get Volk down ? Islam subbing Oliveira was very impressive though and he has been finishing all his recent fights. I will be picking Islam as he is the much bigger fighter but not so sure he can finish Volk.

On another point just because Islam may beat Volk doesn't necessarily make Islam p4p no.1 imo. Realistically he should beat Volk as he is the bigger man and Volk is moving up in weight. If Islam really wants to be p4p no.1 he would have to defend his belt numerous times and/or go up and dethrone the 170 champion. Thoughts ?

 

If Volkanovski can keep the fight from going to the ground he could win the fight, hes the superior striker but Islam is so damn strong thats going to be a big challenge for the smaller Volk. But i do give alot of props to Volk for wanting to move up for the challenge, this is going to be a good one.

 

His slight reach advantage should help him, one of the biggest problems smaller guys have moving up is the reach and height disadvantage but that`s not the case here, however Alex doesn`t have that higher gear he`s going to need he`s a one pace fighte who had trouble stopping Holloway, if he can`t stop Mx he`s not going to stop the bigger, stronger Islam.

 

On paper this should be 50:50. P4P #1 FW Champ vs P4P #2 LW Champ, both on 10+ fight win streaks and very dominant. However, I find myself underestimating Volk a lot. Like you said, in my mind Islam crushes him. I guess I'm still a little surprised as to how comfortably Islam dominated Charles. I think Islam is going to beat him. I hope it's a great fight though.
It's very interesting because Volk is naturally so much bigger than many other FWs. Like he is very short, but used to be so heavy, in my mind that makes it more compelling.

I think Islam's striking is a little underrated on here. He is certainly better than Khabib in that department.

 

Holloway looked awful in his last fight.

 

I think Volkanovski will be game and i expect him to go deep into the fight but it should be a clear Makhachev win. 50-45/50-44 or some late finish. I don't see how Makhachev loses this to be honest. Volkanovski was barely putting anyone to sleep at 145 and i doubt he'll do that to a big 155er. Islam will outmuscle him everywhere and i don't even think the striking will be on Volks side.

So no, i don't think Volkanovsk is underestimated. I think he'll do better than Oliveira or other guys Islam has fought recently but i just don't visualize a path where Volk wins 3 rounds. But Volk is tough so i can see him going the distance which would be some kind of a success for sure.

 

I think volk can win a decision with his superior footwork and striking IF he can avoid the takedowns like he plans to. I dont mind seeing him run around for 5 rounds to avoid takedowns if it leads to him winning. I cant stand makhachev.

one thing we know is volk wont just lay down and give up as soon as he takes a punch to the face like Charles did.

 

Volk didn`t even get out of second gear and beat him, it was one sided because Max was never at that level, him going to war means he was easy to hit because of bad defense, Katter is nowhere near Volk`s level shudder to think what he would have done to him, levels.

 

Doesn`t throw enough shots to win on points v Islam, he`s a one pace fighter.

 

Islam's gauntness has to be a confidence booster for Volk.

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