F**k What You've Heard: Volk Ain't The Underdog

Islam Makhachev Is In More Danger
Than You Think

On paper, Alexander Volkanovski is walking into a nightmare scenario.

Between the 11 days’ notice, recovery from elbow surgery, and the fact that lightweight king Islam Makhachev is the last person you want to fight without the benefit of a full training camp, few would’ve accepted these terms. And on enemy soil, no less.

But that simply isn’t who “The Great” is, which is why he steps into the Octagon this weekend to headline UFC 294 (Abu Dhabi). There, the homegrown hero will have a chance to avenge his controversial loss at Perth’s UFC 284 and become a two-division champion in the process.

Now, despite everything outlined above — and the fact that he’s currently paying a tasty $3 across all major betting platforms — Volk should not be considered an underdog. At least not in the truest sense of the term.

Keep in mind that Makhachev has spent a good chunk of this past year preparing for a completely different fighter in Charles Oliveira, whom he defeated for the belt without so much as breaking a sweat.

As per the Chute Boxe Academy signature, Oliveira trades on his feet with plenty of aggression, almost reckless abandonment, and very little regard for defensive manoeuvres (as a Do Bronx fan I’m begging for some head movement). The greatest component of his offensive arsenal involves submissions.

Compare that to Alexander Volkanovski, who is:

1. Among the most patient and surgical strikers on the UFC roster.

2. An elite counterpunch who knows exactly when to rush in and when to step back.

3. A fighter whose grappling skillset is primarily employed for sprawl ‘n’ brawl; keeping things upright instead of hunting for a tap/nap/snap.

Volk may have only had 11 days to “get back into shape” — the man practically never stopped training unless medical experts advised against it, let’s not pretend otherwise — but I argue Islam Makhachev is at a similar disadvantage vis-a-vis gameplan readiness.

Plus: as I pointed out last week, Team Volkanovski pretty much solved the Dagestani puzzle with the humble butterfly guard and some well-timed scrambles during the ground fighting exchanges — thanks in great part to ex-Danaher Death Squad member and Aussie submission grappler extraordinaire Craig Jones.

Hence why the first encounter between Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev was so damn close with the threat of submissions from the latter largely neutralised.

Anyway, I’ll leave you with the following stats from UFC 284. Do with it what you will…

ICYMI: The Friday Round-Up

Upcoming Events

• October 22nd [1 AM AEST]
  UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski II
  Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | United Arab Emirates

• November 5th [7 AM AEST]
  UFC Fight Night: Curtis Blaydes vs Jailton Almeida
  Ginasio Do Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo | Brazil

• November 12th [10 AM AEST]
  UFC 295: Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic
  Madison Square Garden, New York | US

• November 18th [9 AM AEST]
  Bellator 301: Amosov vs Jackson
  Wintrust Arena, Chicago | US

• November 19th [6 AM AEST]
  UFC Fight Night: Brendan Allen vs Paul Craig
  UFC APEX, Las Vegas | US

• November 25th [10:30 AM AEST]
  2023 PFL World Championship
  The Anthem, Washington | US

• December 9th [4:00 AM AEST]
  2023 PFL Europe Championship
  3Arena, Dublin | Ireland

• December 17th [10:00 AM AEST]
  UFC 296: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington
  T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | US