How Ilia Topuria Dethroned the KING *Breakdown*

[@TheFightConnoisseur]

This Channel so dope, Cory got the vibe of just a random MMA coach doing KZbin vids in his gym. Meanwhile bro is literally a top 5 Bantamweight in the world lol

[@jestabraah]

legit lol

[@HughBlackstone-tm6bw]

Suck up

[@neogaines2418]

I love these breakdowns. "Grounded guy" and "bouncy guy" sound so funny but its so real and giving styles names makes the breakdowns stick beyond the videos.

[@waynzignordics]

The fight-ending combo started at the 1:37 mark. Ilia stepped in, and Volk met him with a stiff jab, and then whipped his head back to avoid a counter. 3-seconds later, Ilia stepped in again, Volk threw a jab, and Ilia slipped it, then threw a counter-overhand right which barely missed because Volk once again whipped his head back. That's when Ilias found out his opening: Faint, draw out Volk's jab, then blitz in with a four-piece combo, knowing Volk couldn't land anything heavy because he kept whipping his head back after throwing his jab. The third strike glanced the back of Volk's head enough to cause him to shell-up hard, giving Ilia time to frame him with his left hand, cut off Volk's exit with a subtle step to his right, then a perfect-technique overhand right from Ilia -- 90-degree angle on Ilia's elbow -- turned Volk's lights out. It's amazing how much can happen in 8-seconds.

[@garbour456]

*Feint (I'm being pedantic but your way makes it sound like he collapses to the floor to draw out the counter and then blitzes in)

[@waynzignordics]

​@@garbour456Whoops, haha. Thanks for the correction. I accidentally described the "Fainting Goat" technique.

[@dim88.8]

It was a pleasure to meet you at the meet & greet in Anaheim. I love your technical breakdowns; keep it up Cory!

[@bloodygeeker]

I would see him almost everyday lol. I do kick boxing at the same gym.

[@Last_Chance.]

​@@bloodygeekerI see him 3 times a week at the gym. You go everyday? What's your name?

[@Jimmyjim4]

I am him

[@epo-mma]

Seen countless videos on this fight and no one except for you explained this angle of the fight. Very interesting breakdown of styles. Thank you.

[@Usman.akuban]

Luke Thomas and mighty mouse ,was have the most beautiful breakdowns too...Cory still up there

[@KochariAsgar]

@@Usman.akuban mighty's breakdown wasn't really all that impressive

[@franlovelsimic8421]

try Jack Slackk too, him and Cory are the best imo

[@closinginonclosure]

1:13 I like that you add "kind of" because you can still plant and fire really hard. It just takes more skill and timing to time the plant with the bounce or movement. This is very present in some styles like Karate. Wonderboy and Michael Venom Page are great examples. Constant movement and bounce, but timing the strikes and planting perfectly with the bounce. Cory utilizes this well too. There are definitely pros and cons with each style. Sacrificing consistent ability to throw with power for elusivity, defence, and position. But that position can then open up angles and opportunity to plant and throw power. You create more windows while being less of a stationary target.

[@vincentjaime181]

I’m so excited for Cory vs Sean.. it needs to happen already

[@jackderaway]

I hope so but I’m afraid merab is up next bc Cory doesn’t have a fight still injured. Ik he doesn’t want to rush but dang I want him to get that O’Malley money.

[@ryuqt5082]

Your content is gold

[@LuKyFreeS]

Loved the explanation between a "bouncy" fighter and a grounded "ready to throw". I was thinking the same way when I saw Ilia fighting, he is always in place to throw hard and put your lights out. Ilia's style is kinda unique, he is also "bouncing" but only with the upper body and I feel like its helping him being in position to throw devastating hooks. He moves a lot left-right but in the same place which allows him to rotate and snap which generates a lot of force. In order to use that style you are kinda exposing yourself to being hit so you can counter which for Topuria works really well (he takes 1 to deliver 1) but this can also backfire against someone that can crack in the future.

[@Figgy636]

Reminds me of Strickland vs Adesanya, planted forward pressure with lightning hands against constant movement, feints and kicks.

[@mikemoriarty6061]

That’s a great point. Volk was essentially telegraphing his punches.

[@seanc7990]

not really, he was landing jabs and straights but he was telegraphinh his exits from the pocket by moving straight back and leaning every single time. Eventually his back hit the fence and he got chinned, this was a defense issue imo

[@mikemoriarty6061]

@@seanc7990 Right! Telegraphing his exits. Much better well put.

[@marspl]

​@@seanc7990 defense and position for sure

[@TheCeembee]

@@seanc7990he got caught in tekken combo

[@joshuaflores1497]

@@mikemoriarty6061volk likes to circle towards the power hand of the orthodox fighter. He’s continuously moving and pivoting towards that angle anyways. That bates topuria to throw the right hand and volk either starts getting the timing or he finds another angle to counter. Problem is this where what Cory explained comes in. He has to set his feet to counter effectively but topuria being set his punch will land before volks most of the time and before vilky can set or pivot again.

[@dano1307]

great point. I never thought of it exactly like that before.

[@michaela5624]

Yo Cory I met you at that liquor store just want to say thanks for the picture and autographs. You got next champ!

[@rhafaellopes8832]

Great analysis! Never thought about this movement/footwork aspect!

[@aladdinmohamedlip7000]

I noticed before watching your video that Ilia was always grounded and crouching with his legs well planted, ever ready to unleashed his hands. No wonder his punches was so explosive! Your video analysis make me understand well the two different techniques. Volk is clearly is at a disadvantage, unless he can move, jab and box as fast as like a young Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali!

[@LucasVergara2]

wow, great breakdown! Having you and your teammate/student enact the situations really helps

[@jday1432]

big fan, would love to see a video talking about injuries and how you handle them physically/psychologically. it seems everytime i’m sidelined i become my own worst enemy and would love to hear your process/mindset especially coming off of this torn tricep. love the content!

[@angelfalcon4016]

Beautiful analysis! I think that when you pair 2 grounded guys eg a porier, then you get beautiful inside boxing-the slugfests we all yearn for

[@abdulrahmanalmutairi694]

Very informative and to the point. I like it when it's straightforward.

[@Milanlleon]

by far the best fighter/teacher on KZbin

[@tylercampion2353]

We appreciate these videos so much.

[@Robert399]

1:57 I'm glad to hear that. I thought the same (based on kickboxing commentary) but haven't heard anyone else mention it about this fight.

[@phenomenon.9519]

This is why ilia was so comfortable. he said " i have the strategy he can't oppose". he's not just a powerful all around fighter but very smart too. if Volk had to lose couldn't be against better fighter than him

[@damienpellegrino8465]

Dude, awesome content! Great insights and original point of view on how things go in the fighting game, love it! and can't wait to see you back in that octagon of course

[@manalishi_hs]

This is a really freaking good breakdown, it's almost like you know a thing or two about fighting!!

[@davemieze9021]

I’m so glad I found this channel. Cory is a cerebral fight wizard.

[@Phoun]

Never seen it from this point of view so much appreciated Cory

[@fofolitofofolito2239]

Cory you gonna make a breakdown on merab-henry? Hope to see you in the octagon someday, love from Coconut Creek FL ❤

[@CorySandhagenMMA]

Yup! Tomorrow or Wednesday it’ll be out

[@epitome278]

Love the content Cory, I'm glad you decided to make this channel, this insight is so dope. Please don't let the channel distract you from the strap though, I've seen it with fighters when they start doing media type things you can see the hunger slowly go away and they become more of fans. Stay hungry and determined and inflict damage on this division bro! Good luck

[@amartyakejora5451]

Love this breakdown, wasn't an angle i thought of this fight from at the time but great points. Also this makes Ilia vs Max Holloway a little more interesting matchup in terms of who's going to be pressuring who. Max definitely used to be a more grounded fighter, totally planted & pressing forward. But after volk cooked his lead leg in their 1st fight he learned to be more versatile & move while mixing in kicks. In his last fight against zombie he had great moments utilizing both approaches imo

[@Sergipielife]

I feel like I learned so much from your break down and got a deeper technical understanding. Now I’m going to looking out for those things when I watch fights lol I can’t wait for more!

[@TH-ep5en]

Yo Cory. I watch a I think a fair amount of UFC and you are by far the most unique and well spoken fighter I’ve ever watched, also my most used fighter on UFC 4. Love you brotha

[@Zhaeefights]

Even though it breaks my heart to see Volk like that. Thank you for the breakdown

[@patricknez7258]

I really liked idea of bouncey guy v grounded guy. Awesome job of explaining things and who goes first usually and why. Great breakdown.

[@JrFFoo]

Amazing breakdown 👌

[@davemieze9021]

ilia has thunder in that right hand. And I love how he frames Volk with his left right before he drops the hammer of unconsciousness.

[@nyancat6322]

It has been educative to see the same fight through the eyes of different analysts like Luke Thomas, Mighty Mouse and now Corey.

[@lurk7411]

It was awesome to meet Cory in Anaheim, especially because he's my favorite fighter!👊🤯🙏

[@chrisk9613]

Was he there? Shoot! I was at the Honda center but didn’t see him 😢

[@Swaze742]

I was waiting for this video. Excellent breakdown.

[@85jwatson]

Great meeting ya for a second at fan fest in Anaheim, go get that belt champ!

[@billiemook]

Love the content Cory, you definitely have a second career doing fight analysis and commentary!

[@brettpatrickcote]

Nice! The inside leg kick and the mover/grounded concepts are great tips. Thanks!

[@MrMe7111]

I meet you at the UFC fan experience in Anaheim. You were so cool !!!! I said, you should be fighting for the title !! You responded with a “I know, I know” thanks for your time. You WILL be champ one day soon !!!

[@Notsotopofthefoodchain]

❤ truly fire fight breakdown thanks Cory!

[@Junnerubio]

Such a simple point, but truly revealing.

[@anibalquirino1404]

Todavía no puedo creer lo que hizo Ilia. Saludos desde Argentina.

[@theprodigalson4003]

Cory that makes so much sense the way u put it. I see why Volk got done. Sucks, I think he could’ve done it, I think there’s about 5 or 6 out of ten where he wins every time they fight. There’s also possible Savage Kos as ilia does have hands

[@TheSpeechkiss]

Loved the breakdown, thanks Cory ! ❤❤❤

[@matethegreat1221]

You vs O'malley has the potential to be one of the greatest Bantamweight fights in UFC history. Hoping you're next up once Merab gets his shot!

[@BTeezy82]

Nice breakdown

[@FeralWorker]

Seen ya discuss the moving vs grounded dynamic a few times and it's a simple but powerful framework.. that I haven't seen anyone else discuss really. Thanks for teaching. This video left me wondering what the main answers are to a really good grounded fighter.

[@EP10051]

Blew all the other analysts and coaches out of the water with this breakdown. Maybe with the exception of Florian. Great insight!

[@Last_Chance.]

Didn't beat DJ's breakdown Soo.........

[@David-tq6ir]

Gracias Cory ....Thanks Cory all this tipe of videos aré great for me .... very well done and explained..thanks again to you and youre student i guess...good luck

[@TakeNoPrisoners]

Great break down Cory thank you

[@JrFFoo]

Great video 👍

[@amatya.rakshasa]

Cory is a legend!! Praying that he gets a title shot in the next couple of years and gets that belt. 135 is just batshit insanely deep and the 135 top-5 would be holding the belt in most other divisions, except 155.

[@Jv9569]

This makes sense, and another thing is that you can get caught in between stance switches (it looks like Volk got caught after throwing a lazy jab at close range off the stance switch). That was a great card regardless, and the same goes for these breakdowns.

[@seanc7990]

volk got caught moreso moving back in a straight line which he did like 3 times in round one and he even got wobbled with a right straight left hook bc of this in round 1. He wasn't really trying to clinch to stop ilia's forward pressure and was just trying to move away from the blitzes which won't work when Ilia is the younger more explosive guy that covers distance quick.

[@marcroesen]

Such a great breakdown!

[@RezOz9916]

Very intelligent take/analysis. The other issue with Volk is that he leaves his chin/head way too high n upright as he moves back. Im a big fan of his grit, toughness n attitude in general, really sad he lost n really hope he's able to bounce bak

[@looseunit9180]

Cory your channel is gold

[@Cvweare]

Corey, Leon, Dustin. My three favorite dudes. Didn’t know about the channel! Fucking rad man. 🤘🤘

[@roshangowda6550]

Hi sir i like ur breakdown..can u plz make one video on grounded vs grounded and mover vs mover

[@raging100]

When cory explains ones technique I shut up and listen.

[@achmadabdelazeezs521]

Great video very interesting

[@realeyesrealizereallies6828]

The biggest factor in this fight was that Topuria wasn't afraid of getting caught..He knew Volk wasn't going to shut his lights off..He had to respect that possibility in the Emmett fight..In this fight, he just had to get his timing down, and go head hunting with those dangerous combo's that he throws..It's why he was so confident about KO'ing Volk and why he did KO Volk..Longer guys might give Topuria a more difficult fight in the future like Max or Yair, if they can keep him at distance..Or really good brawler counter punchers, because Topuria is there to be hit when he throws long combo's, but that is very dangerous game to play with him.

[@az6472]

How can u beat Topuria ?

[@Steven-jd3ey]

@@az6472 He isn't the best in the clinch and has shown a vulnerability to knees, front kicks, sometimes he slips to much so a 2 into a head kick could work. Put him on his back, Mitchell did it without much resistance and he seemed to accept the position.

[@bradley617]

Yeah …. NO

[@Orion-ns8hj]

​@@az6472 if you are a longer guy like max or yair use your long reach to kick ilia & keep him at a distance preventing him to close the distance or if you are someone Volk use your wrestling & takedown to make ilia uncomfortable like Mitchell did.

[@Orion-ns8hj]

​@@Steven-jd3ey I think the same side combo will work great on ilia where you first throw your power hand following by power kick like what Leon did against usman , Justin did the same with Dustin & olivera caught daruish with same combo.

[@key6723]

2:25 also I think they were setting up that front leg head kick, Jai Herbert dropped and almost finish illia with it as he was leaning back off of a right hand, I’m sure the team watched that weak point in Illias game but he was ready

[@melvinquiwa9629]

When the guy in white shirt fell down to imitate Volk’s KO then Cory was like, really? Lol 😂

[@Gaverny]

Great stuff brother 👍🏽

[@antoniopineda5780]

Favorite 135er ever. Saludos 🇲🇽

[@milkmania]

Great content. Great fighter. Excited for the Sandman Takeover.

[@ZeroBalanceMMA]

Illia Vs Volk very similar to you vs Song !!! But you’re just the 🐐 😏💪🏼🔥

[@joshmailova]

This reminded me of your Shara Bullet breakdown, where you explained how he should've "bounce" much more static in order to trade or look ready in the pocket. I just felt like Volk refused to played it safer and wanted to trade more and more with Ilia

[@seanc7990]

volk showed a bit of ego bc he was talking to Ilia in round 1 after lnading some jabs and it was kind of delusional because he literally got stumbled in round one with a right hand against the cage. He shouldn't have been so carefree when he was striking, didn't even try to shoot to slow down a power puncher like Ilia in the first 2 rounds when they're dangerous. Volk wearing the costume to the presser was indicative of the lack of respect he had

[@conorthompson943]

@@seanc7990 volk got humbled lol, he manifested it too with his old man act before the fight, overconfident and he got slept like an old man, early night night for pops!

[@paisleymc2]

I get annoyed that ive already subscribed, because aftet every of your videos i want to subscribe again

[@Mallen1847]

this is actually really cool insight

[@0warami_7oo]

Nice breakdown sandhagan

[@MonkyJam]

Thanks for that Cory. Was wondering, then, what are the benefits of being the mover guy if you don't really get to hit first or have the right base more often than not to attack? Is it a power thing? Are lesser powerful guys forced to be movers because they can't perhaps generate enough power for a grounded style of kick boxing?

[@Patron130]

Cory got that retired mma turned to coach vibe with his YT channel even though he’s a contender for the 135lb belt

[@pabloqp7929]

great breakdown

[@pepo2235]

what a class act Cory is

[@tiantian8730]

Holy moly you work fast

[@Macktube]

I did not hate to see him lose I was rooting for Topuria😊

[@davidgardner48]

Next champion right here 🎉🎉🎉 you got this bro bro !!!

[@loedi39]

Love the breakdown. So what’s the counter to this ? A video on what Volk should/could have done differently would be cool !

[@itstrue-lcw1]

Great stuff Sanhagan👏 I'm smiling over here. Very enjoyable, well delivered. Love your style & how you get things across to us in your breakdowns & coaching vids💯 Keep 'er coming Cory Can't wait to see you fight next🙆‍♀️ Let's keep growing this channel boyz ~ SHARE & SUBSCRIBE PEOPLE🤟

[@fxdojo]

4:05 its called a starting block

[@alexandrelima3697]

Sandman, please do a video on how to get great cardio like you

[@biiz7648]

Im not even an mma guy. Former basketball player, i want to start boxing now. Ive been watching the ufc for quite sometime now and following some of the big names of this sport. Great breakdown.

[@Nero-mg7en]

I feel like the ufc is gonna make merab and Cory fight for a title shot.

[@Caleb85164]

It was a smart gameplan by Ilia to pressure Volk and back him up against the cage, taking away his bounciness. This is similar to what Strickland did to Izzy.

[@pie9667]

it was painful seeing that something was going to come over volks left shoulder the entire fight, illia was just getting closer and closer and made one adjustment to cut volk off to the right, forcing volk to try counter and walk straight into a homing missle of a right hand, honestly perfect gameplan and very similar to conor aldo, both knowing the shot that would get it done months before the fight and seeing thats where their confidence came from

[@SpitForge]

Best breakdown

[@crazydarkrai8884]

You're a g bro steal that title shot from merab 💪

[@onteriomayfield1103]

It do be like that, I agree sandman

[@Minimum_efficiency]

Kasih menyala coach🔥🔥

[@Markuzsosa]

The fact I drop gems in the comments and this guy doesn’t respond is gonna make me wanna sign that contract for ur retirement fight

[@DH-vy8hw]

Seriously, I didn't hate it! Impressive win!

[@draco2xx]

great breakdown sergio ramos

[@prodbyhostile]

Left out one part. Ilia slightly puts Volks face in place for the overhand right. You can see it from the side angle in slo mo. Softly palms his face with the left and then blasts him knocks him tf out.

[@IrakliGogava]

it’s crazy how “some people” call it a lucky punch 💀

[@Jay-kh4sz]

Ur my goat Cory❤️