1 was the highest level matchup in UFC history, the first time the top two pound-for-pound fighters fought each other.In today’s Beforemath column, we look at the first fight and answer some key questions for both fighters. Can Volkanovski close the gap and fix mistakes made from the first fight? How does Makhachev deal with Volkanovski’s blitzing into the pocket? Today’s Beforemath will be our most in depth to date.
In fact, most of Makhachev’s success on the feet come off of not conceding ground and banging out in the pocket. Let’s take the next few sections to see the ways in which Makhachev did just this.At a point in Round 3, Volkanovski looked to step to the outside of Makhachev’s lead leg and utilize the outside foot advantage. To do this against a southpaw, Volkanovski started out in orthodox. To get in he would throw the jab and step down the leg on the outside as deep as possible.
The wall walk is one of the ways fighters look to get up from grappling sequences. Makhachev has an answer for that as well.In Round 1, Makhachev has Volkanovski down and the left leg reaped from behind. Volkanovski is plastered to the fence and is looking to use it to get up. Makhachev intends on taking the fence away. As Volkanovski posts on the reaped leg, Makhachev will squeeze his right knee behind Volkanovski. This allows him to wedge himself between the fence and Volkanovski.
I want to point out that the body work will be important for Volkanovski. If he’s not in fighting shape, something entirely different than being in shape, he risks getting outrun and Makhachev coming on strong later in the fight as he fades. Volkanovski will want to hit the body early and hard with punches. In the first fight, he waited a bit too long and the result was that Makhachev really faded in Round 5 the most notably.
In the first fight, Volkanovski’s striking was great. But what really stood out was his grappling and how he, a smaller fighter, negated the Dagestani pressure and mounted an attack of his own.Volkanovski not only managed to defend Makhachev’s takedowns, but also mount an attack of his own at several points, especially after Makhachev faded later in the fight. Remember that fifth round: Volkanovski on top and raining down blows.
Volkanovski will end up with Makhachev hanging on his hips. It’s as sure a thing as death and taxes. He defended them with great success in fight number one and can look to that for some handy tools to go to in round two.This next sequence is a two part and probably my favorite moment from the first fight. We start frame one off with Makhachev in on a single leg and Volkanovski in a sprawl. Volkanovski needs to get his free leg around Makhachev’s left to get out of the takedown.
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Video: UFC 294 ‘Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2’ Pre-Fight Press ConferenceWatch the UFC 294 pre-fight press conference here.
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Source: sherdogdotcom - 🏆 66. / 51 Read more »
Source: sherdogdotcom - 🏆 66. / 51 Read more »