Topic: The UFC Info and Prediction Thread - page 236. (Read 100472 times)

The Level of pressure Islam Makhachev on this wrestling surely far exceeds Oliveira's wrestling but on Volkanovski's part I really think he is ready and has now a decent takedown defense but surely this is the 1st time Volkanovski is facing a Dagestan wrestler, he surely faced many wrestlers in his career but not a Dagestan wrestler and Islam Makhachev is in a different level of caliber when it comes to Combat Sambo Dagestan wrestling type of wrestling, with this kind of wrestling the cage wall is Makhachev's friends while some wrestler it is an obstacle for them, it is pretty much different and the way they train their strength and grip is surely impressive enough, so for me Islam Makhachev all the way,


The problem with wrestlers is if a fighter is a pure striker he doesn't stand a chance against a wrestler, sometime they tend to get preoccupied when the takedowns are coming and their technical view with the fight is always get cautious against a takedown, this would surely cause strikers fighting technique, but in Alexander Volkonovski's case he can surely wrestle but he tends to be more technical on striking, and a good reflexes, but against Islam Makhachev that surely has a different level of wrestling that Volkanovski have ever face this is going to be a problem for Volkanovski,

While I agree that Makachev is a beast and a special talent, the champ hasn't demolished yet any big names that are idolized by the fight fans except for Oliveira. There are many fans that prefer to cheer for the underdogs. Most fight fans also prefer striking skills rather than ground and wrestling skills. Makachev should be able to handle Volkanovski in his first title defense. But it will be interesting how he feels fighting as the champion in an opponent's backyard which is the opposite when he took the belt from Oliveira in front of his fans.

If Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje win their next bouts, they will probably get a shot on Makachev as well. They will be taken into the ground but these guys might land their bombs first to test Makachev's chin, something Oliveira handled but not before badly getting hurt.

We know how strong Makachev is since he has been winning these past years because of his high skills and experience when it comes to wrestling and he is giving his opponent a really hard time when he looked them by submissions. But we also know Volkanovski is the number one rank in their division and might gonna be hard to beat because he is different from other fighters he fought before. It might be hard to believe but, obviously, most people are cheering for Volkanovski because Islam Makachev has been demolishing their idols and they wanna revenge using Volkanovski.

The problem of Volkanovki is that people overestimate his wrestling skills, because his only opponent with wrestling skills was Ortega and Volkanovski managed to escape triangle and guillotine choke. Maybe his wrestling is enough for featherweight, but not for Makhachev, Oliveira or top of lightweight. Volkanovski is quick on hands, but to do that he needs to get close. Makhachev is good at defensive kickboxing. Volkanovski likes to throw low kicks - that is very dangerous against wrestlers. Low kick against a wrestler triggers automatic single leg takedown. Sorry, but for me it looks that Volkanovskis has low chances to win.

However, the whole fight is interesting. Featherweight is boring for Volkanovski. He must go to lightweight. He will definitely has high chances to become a champ there. Weight is not a problem, as when he played rugby, his weight was around 100kg. And Makhachev must go to next division - welterweight. Usman, Covington, Chimaev, Rakhmonov - all of them are great at wrestling and fights against them would really be competitive. Otherwise it will be a "choke everyone until retirement" Makhachevs boring career as a champ.

With a quick submission by Makhachev against Oliveira, I think that's the reason why people think Makhachev will win against Volkanovski. Although Volkanovski was already fight everyone in his weight and remain undefeated, he seems can't compete against Makhachev. Volkanovski is a kickboxer, he will get a trouble since Makhachev is a wrestler, even Oliveira is a good wrestler too but can't survive for complete 5 rounds.

For me, the UFC is really backing him up for him to do this kind of thing, and yes he surely can avoid such things but cockiness is getting a hold of him, but my take here is yes I really don't want cockiness and ego really got into the fighter and this should not be tolerated but there is no doubt that Khamzat Chimaev is one of the tough dudes in the division I think that is never going to change but another mischief that he does in the next event and I will surely want him to be punished as well, but for me, I think this is the 1st time he did such terrible act, and even though he is Muslim I really think Religion is out of the picture when someone does some things, but in part when Khabib has said that he needs Muslim by his side to tell him what is wrong I surely approve that 100%, but I really want to give Khamzat Chimaev another chance,


Yup! and right now there is news that Geoff Neal will back down on his fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov so there is no opponent for Shavkat Rakhmonov and there is no one that wants to fight him, and I am thinking a Khamzat Chimaev fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov but that will be too early for these two to fight in my opinion but that will be a great fight to watch, for me for Khamzat Chimaev what I really want for him to fight next was Colby Covington, while Shavkat Rakhmonov Gilbert Burns could be the guy but that is for them to make it happen,


For me, it is too early for Khamzat Chimaev to be a champion for this Division maybe he can take on other divisions for a change just to see if he's ready for that divisions level well a Paolo Costa fight will be great to see, and then come back to take the Welterweight Division belt I really want to see Khamzat Chimaev to be champion first before taking on Shavkat Rakhmonov, so we could be a championship fight between Shavkat Rakhmonov VS Khamzat Chimaev,

Did you check early odds for Makhachev to win against Volkanovski?
He is absolute favorite to win that fight by bookmakers and I can agree with that odds without any problem.
Maybe he is not as good as Khabib was but there is nobody else better than him right now in Lightweight category.

Khamzat Chimaev missed weight when he fought at 170 pounds and he should fight one more time in the division and prove that he can make championship weight limit and if Kamaru Usman is not healthy for the London card then i think Belal Muhammad deserves the title bout as they have some unfinished business and Belal is on a 8 fight winning streak and the last Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad fought it ended in an accidental eye poke and hence called off the fight and i want to see that rematch .

I think a lot of us are still recovering from the premature retirement of Khabib. He had a lot left in him, and it was a shame. So, now everyone that's even remotely similar or trained by Khabib we hype up. However, ultimately Khabib was a special fighter that doesn't come around too often. Chimaev probably is the front runner in being like Khabib, but he's a little more risky on the feet, and as we saw got hurt multiple times against Burns. Khabib played a lot of his fights safe, and that's why he had such success.

However, Burns threatened Chimaev on the ground, and that's not something we've seen Khabib be subjected too. He's usually the shark, and there's little to no threat from his opponents. Makachev is just so far from both of these fighters in my opinion. Champ sure, good fighter, and probably is a lot better than average. However, when comparing him to Khabib, and how he's this indestructible force; I just don't believe it.

Welsh post on “Predator universe language”: “if it bleeds, it can be killed”  

I agree that there is a special hype around Makhachev, but mostly because of Khabib and his father. A lot of people say, that Makhachev, compared to Khabib and Oliveira (as a formal champ), did not fought anyone seriour, anyone from real top. This is yes and not. I think Islam offered many lightweights to fight, but they refuse his offer.

Partly agree that Volkanovski is going to be a big test. Islam was first to challenge him, which means he and his team strongly believe that they can beat him. Islam needs someone whos bjj and wrestling skills are primary, like Oliveira. Who is dangerous everywhere, when Alex rely more on his cardio, striking and chin.

Makachev hasn't defended his title yet. He is already a great fighter but he will be tested by capable guys such as Volkanov.

People are hyped because he is trained by Khabib to be like him. Like many others before him, he will have to move to another division after defending his title countless times otherwise he will scare potential MMArtist in the lightweight and Dana doesn't like that.

I guess I haven't fallen for the hype of Makachev as much as others. I think he's very beatable, and once people figure that out, I don't think he'll be a world beater that the UFC, and certain fans are pushing for. I know its natural to want a world beater every generation, and especially after one of them retired recently. However, I just don't think he's going to live up to expectations.

That doesn't mean he isn't, and won't be a great fighter that goes down in the history of the UFC. I just don't think he's invincible as he's being claimed to be. I think he's shown several weaknesses in his fights already, let alone once he starts fighting fighters that aren't a perfect match up for him. Volk will seriously test him, and I'd fancy Volk to take it, quite convincingly.

Or how tough and thick Volkanovskis neck is lol Try my imagination - if Makhachev would have closed that guillotine, with Khabib in his corner, it will be much more complicated for Volkanovski to escape. Anyway, impressed that Volkanovski has accepted that fight. The man got huge balls, as he has accepted a challenge from a very dangerous opponent. He is not like rest of lightweight division, that has been avoiding Makhachev for months to save their record.

What do you think will Volkanovski would do if he wins? Will he get back to featherweight, or will stay in lightweight? Seems that featherweight is to tight for Volkanovski.

Yup, Rakhmonov is pretty good.  I fancy him getting a title shot anytime during 2023 and could even win depending on who sits as the champ.  A couple more high level fights and he's right up there.  I just hope the UFC won't do a prospect vs prospect match up and have him go against Chimaev like what they did with Topuria vs Mitchell.


Volk went against Brian Ortega and escaped from a mounted guilloutine which like should never happen.  Lol.  It pretty much shows how tooough Volk is.  I got Makhachev to win but it could be close than what the lines suggest.  I wouldn't touch Makhachev in a single at anything lower than 1.50.

Still dont like that Chimaev got away clean last time. Usually when fighters did not make weight, they get reward reduction. Instead he has got a Holland, who is extra weak against wrestlers. Imagine you prepare to geometry exam, but on the exam you get a list with chemistry questions. And not only you, but whole class got their exams mixed. In addition - dont forget that middle finger Khamzat showed every one during weight ins. Such a huge disrespect to everyone. Awful. This goes 200% across the discipline and respect Muslims follow. And that rat lio got away like nothing happened. Like he is a God and biggest UFC star. He should have performed better against Burns instead…

Nope! no punishment at all, well for me even though Khamzat Chimaev had a bad reputation for some fans or fans turning against him because of one thing he did, for we can not deny how great of a fighter Chimaev was, and with that one bad thing that he did to be a judge like that I think he deserves a 2nd chance and because there is a Controversy about that event and judging there are many supports for Nate Diaz and that support doesn't want to their idol be messed up by Chimaev, or there are some fans that don't want to watch Nate Diaz getting beat up pretty badly so instead boycotting the fight, and some really knows that Diaz doesn't really stand a chance against Chimaev and so the sales are getting really low, I think this comes to conclusion for the UFC to make a decision to scramble the event and to do this they need a diversion or an alibi and Khamzat Chimaev for me he has been used by the UFC for this to happen and so a great Legendary fight of Nate Diaz and Tony Fergusson was born, and the sales skyrocketed and this is thanks to Chimaev, doing the shit things he could think,


Drama is necessary and it is pretty much normal for an event like this to make sales for me the Khamzat Chimaev VS Nate Diaz was not really making enough sales but I think Chimaev and Kevin Holland just got enough beef so they have used this too and said that there is a catastrophic something on backstage happening and for UFC to make an opportunity for this to shift the fight which is a 1st time that happens, and I think a 1 bad move for Chimaev doesn't mean you will surely forget how great he is inside the octagon,

The problem is Khamzat is probably not going to go to middle weight. He is doing well in his weight class right now. And even though he also knows that he will get a good and better opponent if he goes to middleweight, why would he do that when he is basically the undisputed king of his current weight class right now?

He is smashing everyone here and no one wants to fight him right now. I think facing Shavkat against him can be a good idea. And the UFC will have to pray for Khamzat to lose because that’s what the fans want to see right now.

The fight between Volkanovski and Makhachev is rather strange, because if you see Volkanovski opponents, most of them pure strikers or fighters whos striking skills were primary. Makhachev is a very inconvenient opponent for Volkanovski. Not to mention that Makhachev is 10sm higher than Volkanovski. A lot of factors is against Volkanovski. I was actually very surprised that Makhachev challenged Volkanovski after his victory over Oliveira, and how Alexander quickly accepted that challenge.

I think they are just right to be matched. Volkanovski can defeat Makachev with just one punch, as long as he can defend himself from takedowns, Makachev is just a punch from defeat. He has all the qualifications as relentless as he is in his division and continues to win. 

But I would say defeating a Dagestani wrestler such as Makachev will be a great test for a smaller guy like Volkanovski. It's risky when you just put it a factor that Makachev beats Oliveira.

Makachev seems invincible in his prime. But we will see how he performs against the top contenders in his division.

Volkanovski is an amazing fighter and is becoming unbeatable in his division. But I think he is small at lightweight. Maybe he can fight well against the other top lightweights that are chinny but Makachev is on a different level. I hope to see them in a competitive fight but in my mind, Volkanovski doesn't possess the needed power to keep Makachev at bay. Volkanovski might not be able to stop Makachev from taking him down. And it will be one-sided once they are in the ground.