- Alexander Volkanovski weighed in on Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2
- “The Great” is positive “do Bronx” has no chance of beating Islam on the ground
A few weeks from now, Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev will run it back and fight for the lightweight title at UFC 294. Ahead of the much awaited title match, reigning featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski shared his take on the subject and sides with Makhachev all the way.
Islam would own Charles especially on the ground
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Volk detailed why he is certain that Makhachev has all the advantage over Oliveira, especially on the ground. “The Great” knows that some people might disagree with him but he also wants to let them know that he is speaking based on his own experience fighting and losing to Makhachev.
According to Volkanovski, “Do Bronx” may have an impressive jiu-jitsu resume but Makhachev’s game is all about figuring out how to dismantle his opponent “systematically” and Oliveira may have a hard time stopping it.
“They’ve both got a lot of finishes but Charles got the most finishes in the UFC so a lot of people are probably going to say Charles’ jiu-jitsu is better. BJJ, Jiu Jitsu, okay, grappling though, we’re talking grappling who’s going to be more effective in this MMA world? I believe it’s going to be Islam,” Volkanovski began.
“Islam, again he’s all about breaking down positions, mechanically breaking you down, keys and principles, being in the right position while you’re building up, taking away the things that you’re trying to do to build yourself up, just constantly being a step ahead that’s why it’s going to be hard to just throw submissions to guys like these because they are always trying to systematically break you down,” he continued.
“Who I think is a better MMA grappler? I’m going to point to Islam. Jiu-jitsu, we’ll go to Charles. This is going to be pretty controversial. Even if they did a jiu-jitsu match, who do I think will win? I’d still say Islam,” he added. “I think [Oliveira] got cleaner, crisper sort of submissions and jiu-jitsu moves. But when it comes to actual grappling and control, and dictating where it all goes, I’ve got Islam all day.”
Charles could get it done on the feet
Volkanovski then pointed out that the way he sees it, Oliveira’s biggest chance of turning things around is to take and keep the fight on the feet.
“On the feet is where Charles obviously needs to get Islam for his best bet of winning that fight,” Volk assessed. “I think Charles needs to do a better job of getting back to his feet, pouring the pressure on that way, which could lead to openings, submissions, while he’s building himself back up.”
In all fairness to Volkanovski’s speculations, Oliveira, who is a world-class jiu-jitsu fighter, suffered a submission lost to Makhachev during their first meeting. For sure, the Brazilian will make certain adjustments and there’s a great chance that he will try and finish Islam in a standup fight, just as Volk called it.
Check out Volk’s full video below:
