You're not wrong, but he brings up some valid points. Gaethje showed Paddy zero respect. I think he was very confident in the early KO. Credit to Pimblet he was tougher and more durable than expected. Gaethje was way sloppier and wild than he usually is, and he was barely throwing low kicks especially early on. In the past especially starting during the mid portion of his UFC career he became much more measured and showcased better technique, IQ and defense. I think he'll put everything he has left into the Tupuria fight and will be more measured and less reckless than he was here. That's not to say he'll win, but he's still much better than what he showed last night.
Volk edged the first with boxing and the short little stint in control on the cage IMO. 2nd was tough to score.
Volk basically won all 5 rds imo. Volk & Salkilld were really impressive and BSD is a real warrior kill or be killed type of fighter.
Volk is just too good even at 37 and with those brutal defeats to Islam/Topuria. Lopes probably had a better chance of anyone due to his toughness, power and killer instinct + youth. Volk is still able to make great midfight adjustments - Lopes couldn't deal with that right hand. I just cant see Murphy/Evolev winner or Sterling getting the better of him. If he gets two more solid title defenses which he very likely will its hard to see anyone at 145 surpassing him for a very long time.
Yup, I had it 5-0. Could see 4-1, but it was comfortable. I thought Lopez looked better, he has improved, he was less hittable than the first fight, but Volk already had him figured out 9 months ago
Lopes is very good hes just a slight notch below elite. if Volk wasn't in the mix still he would probably be champion.
Yep! He has insanely good BJJ, a lot of people don’t know that. Credit to Volk all around, not just for the striking but neutralising every part of the game. Evloev Vs Lerone is going to be great on the UK fight night card and that’s the next title shot. I’d Volk over both, but not by a landslide, we don’t know when father times finally going to catch up to him!
Lopes is probably going to surprise a lot of people the next time he fights, unless they find another stylistic nightmare for him.
Looks like Shavkat Rakhmonov is done for, and this might be a wrap for his career. Last fight was in December of 2024 and he will be out for at least another 9 months, as he has injured his knee again. Now hes removed from the rankings too. He is still 31, but will be 32 by the time he fights again. It would be great if he returns this year and gets a title shot in 2027, but luck does not seem to be on his side, and soon time wont be on his side either.
Man that sucks! The Ian Gary win has aged really well, he had a great chance at beating Belal as well. Welterweight is one of the strongest divisions at the moment, but it just got a little bit weaker
