Mixed Martial Arts / Boxing Thread

[Risto the Great]

Rogan thought Volk had it.

https://twitter.com/itsavibe/status/1624656850842009600?s=46&t=Jt4ZBEGc9WahkOsV0XsCVw

No shame in the Volk's performance at all. What a warrior.

[kompir]

Makhachev go zakla Volkot:

https://www.news.com.au/sport/ufc/ufc-284-live-alex-volkanovski-set-to-break-conor-mcgregor-record/news-story/f6d2e564494045a2685f38d9e6ad1805

[Phoenix]

The advantage/disadvantage of a height difference is mostly psychological I reckon, unless it's so ridiculously large that the shorter fighter can't reach their opponent's head. Mike Tyson, for example, is 178 cm (same as Rocky Marciano) - much shorter than a lot of his opponents. I remember watching an interview with him where he was saying he never realised he was the shorter fighter because he never really thought about it. Probably even less of an issue in UFC.

Tyson was a freak of nature, his power, his hand speed, his technique and his fighting psychology...Tyson is the exception not the rule.

Reach matters if all other attributes are considered the same but not all attributes and not all fighters are the same because this little issue of skill always stands in the way.

Fighters with long limbs in UFC have pros and cons that a skilful opponent will exploit to their advantage...when the fight is on the ground the grappling, wrestling and jiu jitsu skills come to the fore...the biomechanics of long limbs (levers) comes into play...it can work in your favour or to your detriment.

[Risto the Great]

His jab is fast and it makes incredible distance. Apparently Volk was something like 100kg when he was playing rugby. To be fighting at 66kg, I think his muscles would have a memory of that former size. Unless Makhachev locks him up, I think Volk will win.

[Phoenix]

He is facing a formidable opponent. He has gone up a weight category to compete. He is a true warrior and has nothing to lose. Fingers crossed!

I’ve seen a heap of clips on YouTube in the lead up to this fight where this question of going up in weight has come up…many pundits were saying that Volk should be fine with that because of when he played rugby, the pundits thought he could wear the extra weight easily and he could be better for it because he played his rugby at a much heavier weight…and Volkanovski himself says that in his entire sporting life he’s been underestimated because of his stature but those estimations quickly change after his opponents get punched in the face…lol 🥳

[Risto the Great]

Makachev uses his reach quite well. That is always an advantage. Volk is a powerhouse who will find a way to get in hopefully. It's quite the ultimate fighting challenge.

[Vangelovski]

The advantage/disadvantage of a height difference is mostly psychological I reckon, unless it's so ridiculously large that the shorter fighter can't reach their opponent's head. Mike Tyson, for example, is 178 cm (same as Rocky Marciano) - much shorter than a lot of his opponents. I remember watching an interview with him where he was saying he never realised he was the shorter fighter because he never really thought about it. Probably even less of an issue in UFC.

[Soldier of Macedon]

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS8PXfr7E/

That height difference though ...

Alex is 168cm. Makachev is 178cm. A substantial difference, but when looking at Alex's last three opponents, two were 175cm and the other was 180cm. He has always been the shorter guy. Alex's stature and lower centre of gravity may actually work to his advantage if he plays it right. The real question is how he handles the wrestling and submission attempts by Makachev. On paper, it seems a monumental task, but Alex's tenacity in the fight against Ortega shows that he has the ability to get out of tough situations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHbXsQwsTNg

[Risto the Great]

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS8PXfr7E/

That height difference though ...

[Risto the Great]

He is facing a formidable opponent. He has gone up a weight category to compete. He is a true warrior and has nothing to lose. Fingers crossed!

[Soldier of Macedon]

This is viewed as the toughest fight of his whole career. If he wins it will propel him into legendary status because these Russian Dagestani fighters have an aura of invincibility about them, especially his opponent on Sunday who is considered the heir of the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov. Few of the punters are giving Alex a chance. But he appears genuinely confident that he can get the job done. I'd expect the pubs and bars in Australia that are screening this event to be full on Sunday and many local Macedonians will turn out like they have on previous occasions. Here is a clip of Alex after he arrived in Perth to perform a training demonstration for the public, taking a selfie with some Macedonian kids. Go champ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNcka6Z1BWM&list=RDCMUCsPqePbdUlmkyUYCaYg9qkw&index=2

[Risto the Great]

Can the Volk do it?

[Soldier of Macedon]

Brilliant and dominant performance, almost flawless, and that's saying a lot when faced against somebody like Max Holloway. Alex never looked in trouble, but Max looked utterly defeated by the end. It's Alex's time and he is at his peak. None of the top fighters in his division have been able to beat him. Hopefully he moves up to lightweight and becomes a double-champ.

[Karposh]

Our boy has done it again! Congratulations to Alex.

Alexander Volkanovski decimates Max Holloway and elevates himself to GOAT status

Alexander Volkanovski showed he’s on a different level on Sunday as he completely decimated Max Holloway to retain his featherweight championship.

The trilogy fight between the two warriors was one-way traffic as Volkanovski picked the challenger apart and left him a bloodied mess.

Holloway will go down in the UFC record books as one of the all-time best featherweights, but Volkanovski made him look like an amateur at UFC 276 leaving fight fans in disbelief. None bigger than Hollywood megastar Dwayne Johnson.

The former WWE champion, known more commonly as The Rock, was left stunned by Volkanovski’s savage display over the course of five championship rounds.

“Wow, phenomenal to watch. Two future hall of famers. Tough as f*ck. Legacies,” he tweeted.

From the opening bell right through until the final bell it was a clinic from Volkanovski as he recorded the unanimous decision victory (50-45 x3).

“Let them boo, stand up for yourself. Whether you hate me or love me, stand up for yourself,” Volkanovski said straight after the fight into the camera.

Holloway was left a battered man as the decision was read out with Volkanovski opening a nasty cut over Holloway’s left eye with a brutal right hand in the second round.


The Aussie champ hit the challenger with shots from every angle and left no doubt he is the best in the world and arguably the greatest featherweight the UFC has seen.

Rogan said: “This performance tonight has been extraordinary. This is the best we’ve seen him look.

“We’ve never seen Holloway this busted up before. His face is messed up.”

Cormier said: “I’m in awe at his improvements. Volkanovski has never looked better”.

The Aussie in his post-fight interview said he was ready to step up to the lightweight division and claim a second belt as he called out Charles Oliveira.

Volkanovski’s unbelievable demolition job on Holloway goes to an even greater level as he dropped a staggering bomb walking out of the arena.

“I f***ing broke my hand in the first round,” Volkanovski says as he looked at his left hand.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/ufc/alexander-volkanovski-decimates-max-holloway-and-elevates-himself-to-goat-status/news-story/15c8f41cc47f4bfe3f9ce14a66ae403c

[Karposh]

This came as a bit of a surprise. I just found out that Volkanovski is fighting Max Holloway for the third time this Sunday. I thought that wasn't actually going to happen but it looks like it will. Max will be eager to prove himself. I really hope Alex will be at his best come Sunday.