UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

1. Jack Jenkins 
2. Zubaira
3. Kleydson 
4.JDM 
5. Islam
6. Loma
7. Tyson Pedro
8. Mullarkey
9. Yair
10. Culibao
11. Crute
12. Porter 
13. Young 

Anyone else worried about the possibility Volk is gifted a hometown robbery decision? The rounds don't even need to be close, he just needs to not get his ass kicked too badly.

* Edited at 02.08.2023, 3:25 PM ET *

I genuinely think Islam might be able to stand and make it competitive on the feet for long periods of time during the fight

Islam choosing to strike with Volk isn't going to be an actual striking kickboxing match, Islam's striking will be heavily centered around takedown feints, the muay thai clinch and of course the size and power advantage that comes along with being in a heavier weight class. the muay thai clinch and the threat of the takedown especially are going be so influential in this matchup that they're going to end up negating the skill advantage Volk has on the feet so even though it might look like Islam is "keeping up" with him in the striking exchanges, it's only going to be because of factors unrelated to striking techniques

either way, I don't think that's going to be the gameplan and Islam will just take him down into a quick submission but if Islam chooses to stand, he definitely won't look outclassed

* Edited at 02.08.2023, 3:27 PM ET *

Islam's stand up is very good. People still don't get that 

Well, Yair is better than Kattar and Emmett is another 8 months closer to his 38th birthday, so there is that regarding the similarity of odds.
Specifically I think Yair's kicks (of which Kattar has basically none) will give him more room to avoid getting into brawling range than Kattar had. Also being very creative with his striking and being able to switch seemlessly between southpaw and ortho will give Emmett a lot more looks to contend with.

Saidyokub Kahkramonov released Kevin Lee getting resigned. The UFC is all about having all of the best fighters in the world on the roster guys.

This exactly. I just can’t realistically see any realistic path to victory for Volkanovski here as much as I’d like to see him as double champ. 

Volks winning scenarios:

1) Decision or split decision  where even after stuffing 10+ takedowns and landing well on the feet he is still clearly rag dolled for 3/5 rounds (basically a robbery).

2. KOs Islam on the feet. 

Neither is very likely...at all.

Jimmy Crute is really talented, I just think he's one of the  dumbest fight iq despite his skills mainly because of his awful gameplans, He should of tried to wrestle with Smith and standup with Circonov and he would of easily won those fights, The gameplan to beat those guys are out there, I give doubt to the bad fight iq in the Hill lost because it was done in about 30 seconds, But maybe he still should of shot earlier

Crute is a way better fighter then Menifield, I don't really rate Menifield who I think isn't that good, But if Crute fight dumb, He give Menifield all the chance to KO him, Menifield is black-splosive, 

I love JDM but I have a feeling he isn’t knocking out randy brown 

• I think Tukhugov, Makhachev, Jenkins, Madalena look the most advantageous on this map. I could not find any significant arguments against these fighters.
• There are some doubts about the following fighters.
• Rodriguez. He is quite technical and precise in the stance. But only if he sets the slow pace of the fight himself. If you increase the pace, press and connect the clinch and fight, Rodriguez will not like it very much. I think anyone who can impose a dogfight will be successful against Rodriguez. Ross has a clinch and wrestling, Ross throws more punches, and I think he has noticeably better cardio than Rodriguez.
• Pedro. There are still big questions about his cardio and how he will feel if the fight lasts all 3 rounds. Baukauskas moves around the octagon quite a lot, and Pedro will have to spend more strength to strike at him. Pedro prefers to exchange blows in one place without moving.
• Lookboonmee. I think Reed is better at punches, and Loma is better at kicks. Reed in a fighting career, no one lose in the stand up. So if the Lookboonmee fails to connect wrestling, I think it will be a close fight in the stand up.
• Mullarkey. Where are the guarantees that it won't be a knockout from Prado.