Is Volkanovski coming back too fast after the KO?

Coach goes over the UFC 298 main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria. How tough of a match up is it? Is Volk coming back too soon after his TKO loss to Makhachev?
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[@TheArtofTheBrave]

You should be on the UFC commentary team. Best analyst in the game, lad.

[@AbdulKhan-cy3vq]

Soon

[@sheshd]

Firas and Dan Hardy would be amazing analysts together.

[@GigaFloyd]

​@@sheshddream casters

[@sheshd]

@@GigaFloyd absolutely. Shame Dan got kicked over a heat of the moment incident.

[@GigaFloyd]

@@sheshd Really, I think he came out of that better.

[@wytedemon]

Here after the fight last night, Firas is a spot on as always…

[@Im-nq2jf]

UFC should hire Firas as analyst

[@Aviamoyal]

Well aged video, shows how good you are at studying fighters

[@MH_worldisdoomed]

Thats exactly what happened.. Overconfidence is the reason many great fighters gets hurt before retirement

[@goldentrophy7858]

After Izzy stiffend Poatan he returned less than 4 months later to fight the heavy handed Błachowicz.

[@sabukumar3069]

Poatan went up 20lbs to a higher weight class. Volk is cutting 10lbs to go to a lower weight class . Very different scenarios!

[@goldentrophy7858]

Great point@@sabukumar3069

[@wdchaconpereira]

@@sabukumar3069but he is dieting and probably will be cutting less weight than for the 2nd Islam fight coming from the couch

[@zaeynalamgir1384]

I feel volk KO was more brutal than the Poatan One...volk was needed more time now see what happened

[@davidahrner4876]

Are you on the Volk train or maybe you mean the Volkswagen

[@bodrulm1]

Bingo

[@Zocratezz]

I think he meant Volcano 🌋

[@chipplylar7006]

Volk gonna have to be his best to win.This guy is real deal.

[@njokuchinonsojose3172]

Volk has done it b4, he's still doing it. But will he do it against a man whose confidence is so sky high? TOP (AREA) Toporia.

[@wb5374]

i am picking Topuria!

[@PoyTroy]

@@wb5374same

[@dfredankey]

Yes

[@dfredankey]

@@wb5374gladly he won’t beat volk

[@dinkin_flicka14]

Yeah it's not just that Topuria is very confident, we don't know if Volk has made a full recovery from that KO. If I were a betting man my money is still on Volk, but after that KO against Islam i would not feel very confident

[@rumbledawgz]

How am I supposed to punch in the promo code if I haven't taken the course

[@NinjaDildoShow]

Volk's pace, experience, and Fight IQ are the reasons he will win. No way I'm picking against the Featherweight GOAT!

[@Pia-ho9dm]

Yeah, this guy makes sense. Liked the video.

[@fahads1866]

Firas, your expertise and analytical approach, combined with Jon Anik would make for very good commentary. You can put whoever as the third commentator

[@federicoarmando8359]

Every day that goes by the fight grows closer in my mind. When it was announced I was leaning 75/25 for Volk in terms of probabilities. Now I’m thinking around 55/45…

[@BoriQua602]

This aged like wine

[@bobzacamano658]

How is Max arguably better than Volk when Volk beat him 3 times 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Get a clue bruh

[@SammyWingz420]

That’s pretty much what I was thinking!😂

[@Haristiro]

Can’t believe we get Michael Bisping and Dominic Cruz as UFC commentators instead of coach Zahabi

[@MrMojo13ification]

If Alex got flatlined I'd agree but I don't think he was fully out. Having said that volk is moving back down in weight which will weaken his chin 😬

[@nonamewanderer]

He did not bulk up during Makhachev 2. So, it might not be a problem.

[@windytv7511]

Yeah that was a early stoppage he was going for a single leg

[@tdsetffr7350]

Exactly what I was thinking shit like that happens in fight preparation all the time aswell

[@spectrent]

@@windytv7511bro you are delusional haha

[@dinkin_flicka14]

​@@nonamewandererbulk up? He fought at 55 brother, it's 10 pounds. How much are you going to bulk for 10 pounds... I'm pretty sure Volk weighs around 160-65 when he's not fighting so for fighting against Islam he probably only had to lose 5-10 pounds. Volk will only have to bulk up if he wants to fight at 170 which will never happen

[@miketschabrunn6012]

Only thing I see truly being a hole for tuporia is the leg kicks I feel like it might get chewed up his lead leg

[@thebootywarriors]

From the future: yes , yes he did

[@christophernoerr5292]

Volk might be my favorite fighter of all time so far because of the way he fights, how much he fights, because he's completely real at all times, and he seems like a genuinely standup guy in life. I think he'll win, but I've NEVER been more nervous for him going into a fight because of how it ended with Islam and the sheer power and tenacity that Illia has. Pure confidence and belief can be a very dangerous thing if you have your head together and some skill to pare with it.

[@kenmoraes6843]

Long time champs usually have their toughest challenge when they face next generation fighters. Dominick/Cody Patricio/AJ Mcee. It's like these next generation fighters have been made to beat the champs unbeatable game. Dominick Reyes on a losing streak after a close match, Cody on a losing streak after beating Dominick. If Volk can get past this he is something else. 🔥🔥

[@fantastikfanatic1900]

He called it before everyone did.

[@famlifefun1585]

Topuria won’t be fazed by those baby leg kicks.

[@amirulxdlol]

This aged to well😂

[@arjunkul]

My head says Volk, but speed kills - and Topuria is FAST… if he keeps his head and is able to get in out of Volks range while hitting him with combinations, I think he might eke out a decision if not a knockout.

[@draco2xx]

ilia tuporia will shock the mma world and possibly tko volk if not he wins by decision

[@naturalianoss]

timing beats speed precision beats power

[@wayfaringstranger8430]

Topuria seems like he makes adjustments and gets better with each fight, so I think it'll be a decision for him as well.

[@niconicoo5661]

Ilia topuria is georgian🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪

[@naturalianoss]

Yes

[@goldentrophy7858]

I wonder if coach Zahabi is aware of the "height cutting" that Shane Carwin was able to pull off

[@venugopal1560]

Explain

[@goldentrophy7858]

@@venugopal1560 Classic Sherdog meme Google Shane Carwin height cutting

[@Orion-ns8hj]

I don't think it's too early alex pereira came back after 3 months even when he suffered from a brutal ko loss

[@aquinas_pilled]

Difference is that Alex pereira moved up a weight class to 205 and so didnt have to drain as much fluid and so got a better chin. Whereas Volk is gonna be moving down a weight class back to 145 which is gonna make his chin worse

[@oldmate7776]

@@aquinas_pilled how does it make his chin worse, when he hasn't been finish at 45. he went up weight where power is different.

[@Orion-ns8hj]

@@aquinas_pilled but at the same time Pereira's ko was far worse he was out cold meanwhile Volk was still concious

[@aquinas_pilled]

@oldmate7776 because when Volk is cutting back to 145, he has to drain more fluid from his brain. The more he does that, the easier he is to KO. Especially after he just got KOd only a few months ago. That's why Adesanya was able to KO Alex Pereira at 185, but Blachowicz, who has more power than Adesanya, couldn't KO Pereira at 205

[@aiyachristian]

@@aquinas_pilledthese KZbin warriors have never had to cut weight in their lives lmao don't even try bro

[@DopeKingCastro1199]

Topuria by knockout

[@PoyTroy]

I agree with this 100%

[@Bluewatercat]

I got tuporia

[@richardchamoun7649]

Illia looked fantastic in previous fights mainly because he was allowed to do what he wanted. He will be surprised when he fights Alex.

[@bocajarro]

Yeah he definitely was surprised...

[@chipplylar7006]

Do you bet on fight fight Firas?

[@Wormuloid4157]

Firas is arguably one of the best minds in the fight fight business.

[@dinkin_flicka14]

I think it's 60-40 for Volk. That percentage for Volk would have been higher if he didn't get koed in his last fight and also cuz he's returning a little too soon. But on the other hand, I'm giving 60% to Volk cuz he's a beast. Any other fighter and my percentage would have gone down

[@PureMono]

Ah yeah definitely, most of these UFC fighters hang about with too many YES men. They need a guy like Fares in their corner. Fares you need to offer consulting services. They all need somebody level headed like you in their corner.

[@grindordie3336]

Where did the knockout recovery time idea come from? I think there is more psychological ego trauma than actual brain trauma in this concept. The brain should heal in several weeks but the memory of the KO lingers forever. Opponents who saw the KO will be more confident in head hunting too...

[@wtfimcrying]

EXACTLY, i have no fucking clue what people are talking about. if he isnt concussed, whats the physical injury? the problem is psychology.

[@timchurch2390]

@@wtfimcrying brain damage is accumulative. It can't heal like muscle and bone can. I used to work with people with TBI's, some of the people who had the worst disabilities were the ones who were unlucky enough to catch multiple TBI's. Basically they could die if they slipped and knocked their head on the kitchen floor. The way Islam had Volk's head pinned between his knee and fist like a hammer and an anvil for the last couple seconds before stoppage...nowhere for the force to go but directly into the brain. Not saying he's totally cooked but that's lifelong damage on some level for sure. But of course you guys are also correct, psychology plays a huge part. And typically people recovering from TBI's have lots of psychological difficulties lol.

[@wtfimcrying]

@@timchurch2390 i agree with everything said

[@garrusv]

The brain doesn’t fully “heal” after a few weeks. Anyone who’s watched fight sports knows what coach is talking about. The brain is especially vulnerable for several months after trauma, and getting wobbled or ko’d is a lot likelier against a heavy, confident puncher.

[@grindordie3336]

@@garrusv Because the brain is a network of neural pathways the damage may NEVER actually return or heal the same but the actual physical trauma: inflammation/bruising should heal in several weeks. As I said before, psychological trauma has a greater effect in the brain than the concussion it self. The fighter will undoubtedly develop a psychosis and anxiety associated to the knock out to the EGO.

[@BIVASH001]

ilia is Hungry lion but it's hard to pick against Volk...coz he is the greatest

[@shogunrua1040]

I have a feeling Volk will get clipped and not recover fast enough. He is coming back too soon. He was completely out in his last defeat. Look at the replay and his head bouncing.

[@bocajarro]

You were RIGHT, sir.

[@nckgmz83]

Probably. Than your re cutting down. Kind of an ego battle at this point with self.

[@Wuisini]

Topuria is giving shades of a young McGregor

[@jadethompson5269]

If Volk cuts back down to 145 and beats a weapon like Ilia at 35. He the division GOAT. 🐐

[@iluvatarchem]

Yes. Also: It wouldn't make a difference either way. Topuria is in a different league compared to anyone in this division, including Volk..

[@rasmuszembski1913]

Yep, it was too soon.

[@bobzacamano658]

He is. Should have taken 6 months off. Sad.

[@coldworld5]

The folk that fought the Korean Zombie would deal with Taporia quickly but I think Taporia gets it done. Volk has made two horrific decisions in the last 6 months. Taking the short notice fight and then taking this fight so soon after a stoppage.

[@timchurch2390]

Yup...sad to say, but fighters are often their own worst enemies

[@garrusv]

Agreed. Volk’s taking on a lot of unnecessary risk lately, and it’s putting both his long term health and short term results at risk.

[@NenUser12_]

Volks too old now- Topuria FTW via Stoppage

[@t-bone7988]

casual

[@NenUser12_]

@@t-bone7988 it would seem you are indeed the casual- I called it weeks out because I used my Third Eye to evaluate both fighters

[@Chase.The.Pain.]

Even if he losses, it would be fun watching him go up to lightweight and earn another shot a Makichev.

[@j.c.7916]

Ilia is better in every category, and will win. Volk is done.

[@patmalone4559]

Illa is getting massively overlooked in this one. I’ve got a feeling about this one. The knockout to Islam plays a massive factor in this one. Don’t be surprised if Volk goes down. Volk is the betting favourite and should be.

[@mr5timewcwchamp]

How’s he overlooked? The odds are even, and that’s even when Volk has more title fights than Ilia has UFC fights.

[@patmalone4559]

@@mr5timewcwchamp odds are not even in Australia mate. Volk big favourite.

[@patmalone4559]

Thank you all.

[@puneetsahewala24]

How the hell is Volk gonna finish Topuria??? Submission - never happened Punch - Volk doesn't have that one punch power & Topuria has great defense Kick - Leg kicks may affect Topuria's game plan but it's not getting him finished Volk could get a decision in his favor if he manages to not get KOd

[@MichaelS-br6gc]

He needs good strategy. I think Topuria hasn’t used his wrestling much because he might be like Yoel Romero where it gasses them out… so Volk should go Dagestani on him and take him to deep waters

[@bocajarro]

You read that perfectly. Congrats.

[@SeenaTabatabai]

UFC is the tempter not Volk.

[@TheKingoftheKingofKings]

If Islam hadn't headkicked volk I would have given it 99 percent to volk But that KO was devastating

[@rossruble910]

1:14 - I respect your opinion on mma over most, but is there still an argument after he lost to Islam twice and the 2nd time by 1st round KO

[@roycegarvin]

Short notice fight up a weight class

[@gregyothers7965]

So.what 6 wins is not enough look at volks body of work in comparison..topuria is great but volk is a different beast

[@mightnmagic3095]

Ilia will win i think, Volk is old

[@gregyothers7965]

We can say this now but if volk wins no one ever says that again

[@davidng8870]

I know this man is one of the best minds in the game but does he always sound stoned out of his gourd Edit - lol never mind it seems YT stays on 0.5 speed if you pick another video

[@yas2ne19]

Become a ufc commentator please!!!

[@Deimian676]

Man, coming back too soon. Just like training for ten days to fight Islam (which was silly because it’s a black belt test)

[@Pnw208]

What I don’t like is every interview he’s had since the only thing they rank about is the loss and his headspace. He’s forced to relive it every week since it happened. Let the dude move on

[@Longarmshortarm]

Not too soon. Time is not volks friend at his age

[@rickjones5399]

I don't think Ilia is offensively more sharp than volk, lmao. He was settling a lot after the third round against Emit and got clipped several times because of it. Alex would never do that. Alex is more disciplined, and has better cardio to help him maintain his focus.

[@draco2xx]

so what happened in 3rd round when yair was picking volk apart then got caught afterwards

[@rickjones5399]

@@draco2xx you were dreaming 💭 And, Yair is not the same fighter as Ilia. I'd say Yair's length and abilities would make it difficult for Ilia to get near him. If Herbert could do what he did then Yair would do it twice as bad.

[@bocajarro]

Stop watching MMA

[@vaimast]

In theory volka should win, in my theory tupo will be the new champion.

[@SOYBEKA]

Topuria champion

[@jackdaniels2905]

Apparently it was too soon.

[@jaywalker6464]

100% too soon, it won't be a surprise if he got knock out.

[@dkurt2725]

Outgrapple topuria?

[@mattgloyn3928]

Volk , it won't even be close 👊🏾

[@bocajarro]

You know your stuff...

[@mattgloyn3928]

@bocajarro shit happens its a fist fight 👊🏾

[@SammyWingz420]

Alexander beat Max, so it can’t be Max.😎

[@moolala888]

Yes! Lol

[@hampuz25]

Do you have to be moslem to be the best coach or fighter in the world?

[@michaelpawlowski5316]

Ye firas was roung and a took topuria long time ago long

[@lawrencedaos3481]

TRISTAR ILIA FIGHTING VOLKY TO SOON , EMMITT WASN'T NO TREAT TO DA TOP RANKING FEATHER WEIGHTS. ILIA SHOULD HAVE FOUGHT EITHER BRIAN ORTEGA , YAIR , OR MAX HOLLOWAY ILIA AVOIDED DA TOP 3 RANKING FEATHER WEIGHTS TO FIGHT VOLKY. ILIA DOESN'T HAVE DA EXPERIENCE ILIA GETTING KNOCK OUT OR TKO . TRISTAR SAY NO MORE .

[@bocajarro]

You definitely know your stuff...

[@lawrencedaos3481]

BOCA BEAUTIFUL WORK FROM DA , AND DA NEW ILIA FEATHER WEIGHT CHAMP OF DA WORLD . SAY NO MORE .

[@kcmiles9832]

Yes he is coming back too soon.

[@al1364]

Ooof

[@alexhudson-]

I'd like to see Islam defend his belt against someone his size versus stalling the entire division for 2 years.

[@user-sc8tu4jn5l]

If you think Volk is better than Ilia in the ground, you don’t know what the f*k ur talking about

[@gregyothers7965]

He wins easily at 145

[@draco2xx]

volk coming back after ko loss 3 months later is not too early, he probably took a month off not sparring to recover then went full speed for the next 2 months while building back up his confidence. volk is mentally ready than ever, but ilia will get the W guaranteed🌹

[@Graciehunter32]

Yea one month is not long enough at all to recover from a brutal ko, he should’ve taken at least 8 months off before his next fight

[@draco2xx]

​@@Graciehunter32you could be right but volk is not the type to stay inactive that long, he wants to take advantage of the time he got left

[@fabros9290]

should have taken 6 months off minimum

[@Orion-ns8hj]

​@@Graciehunter32 Alex Pereira was out cold against izzy & he came back after 3 months to fight Jan

[@LIIIIIFE]

IF ITS GUARANTEED THEN BET YOUR LIFE ON IT. EXACTLY SHUT YOUR USELESS MOUTH UP

[@applethunderspice3072]

No argument needed that Volk beat Max out of the GOAT FW conversation. Anyone still holding onto Max is just a big, biased fan of Blessed.

[@willthinkofsomethinglater]

Max not even top 3

[@satvikvinod882]

@@willthinkofsomethinglaterhe’s definately the third in FW what do you mean?

[@willthinkofsomethinglater]

@@satvikvinod882 i mean theres another guy, who beat max, KOd prime Aldo on 18 fight 9 year long win streak, finished every one except Max himself(whom he 30-27d) inside 1-2 rounds, never lost at featherweight. So that guy would be number 3, 1 and 2 is debatable between aldo and volk, that would make Max number 4, which is not even top 3

[@Ijbvfknnn]

@@willthinkofsomethinglateryeah I’d still put max over McGregor as far as all time fw. McGregor never defended the belt even once so that really hurts his case in that argument

[@willthinkofsomethinglater]

@@Ijbvfknnn the 'defences count' argument doesnt really make much sense, just another marketing bs. Who did he defend it agaisnt? Aldo, who was never the same after Conor, out of prime pettis, out of prime edgar and brian ortega, and that win doesnt age so well either. So, if not title defences, who else? Olives is probably his best win, but do we even count oliveira at fw? Conor beat prime aldo, prime mendes, max, dustin who beat max. Conor never lost, prime max lost 0-3 to volk.

[@amt6307]

I bet on topuria and i won the bet.

[@andrewekern3575]

Ilia rd2 ko

[@user-laurovasquez69]

Volj

[@bocajarro]

Man, was this guy wrong...

[@LIIIIIFE]

VOLK WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AFTER HAVING HIS DEAD DENTED IN BY ISLAMS SHIN

[@sendlocation8476]

2 ko. Might be the decline of volk. Damaging

[@nobruno]

Volk couldn't finish Ortega and he's one dimensional . Volk isn't fighting a washed zombie

[@michaelpawlowski5316]

What's with everyone nobody knows about mma topuria is a complet fighter he will eat up volkanovski

[@michaelpawlowski5316]

You know dont understand pepoul how the don't see topuria will kil him

[@bocajarro]

You know your stuff. Congrats.

[@michaelpawlowski5316]

@@bocajarro tank you

[@DrFrogglePhD]

Irritating that mentally ill fans are already making excuses for Volk losing and he hasn't even fought yet. Sports fans investing their ego into celebrities is embarrassing.

[@tylerelavsky5138]

Hope volk loses because you are overhyping Ortega skills bruh like who has he done good against ? Not top level tuporia would smash that guy

[@Trekz86]

Volk wins. Easy fight for him

[@abelvalente1425]

I have a feeling that Topuria KO’s him stiff It is going to be devastating for Volk.

[@zaibatelzm]

Delusional and biased but okay

[@Day-ZDuke]

How is it delusional or biased? Topuria has 6 fights total in UFC. Volk has 6 championship fight wins, and 8 total championship fights. He is widely considered in the top2 pound for pound talents in the sport. It’s impossible to claim that someone is delusional or biased for supporting such a long reigning champ

[@AS-gr8vf]

Volk is a joke.

[@CazWitDaCash]

Topuria finish inside 3

[@omareasm]

Volks time is done. He will lose