UFC 314 Roundtable: Is this do or die for Alexander Volkanovski?

Alex Volkanovski’s again is towards the wall.

This Saturday, Volkanovski returns to motion for the primary time since shedding his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298, taking up Diego Lopes in the primary occasion of UFC 314. The previous high pound-for-pound fighter on the planet is already a surefire first-ballot Corridor of Famer, however a win will add one other chapter to his legendary profession, whereas a loss may spell the tip of it.

What’s at stake for Volkanovski and Lopes on Saturday? And what about the remainder of the tremendous stacked UFC 314? MMA Preventing’s Alexander Ok. Lee, Damon Martin, and Jed Meshew put their heads collectively to interrupt down all the largest tales heading into the most effective pay-per-view card of the 12 months to this point.

1. Is that this do or die for Alexander Volkanovski?

Lee: Sure.

“Previous Man Volk” is a humorous gimmick, however let’s be sincere, it’s additionally a cutesy approach of coping with the realities of the combat recreation. At 36, Alexander Volkanovski is under no circumstances approaching senior standing, however he’s been via it in combat years and that’s simply actuality. 13 years professional and thirty fights below his belt, a lot of which had been spent towards the perfect fighters on the planet. It takes its toll. It has to.

So what’s left for Volkanovski if he doesn’t regain the UFC title Saturday? An uninspiring leap as much as 155 kilos? We’ve already seen how good he will be up there doubtlessly and there are matchups with different veterans which are interesting, but when he’s not chasing one other championship alternative, then what’s the purpose for him?

And it’s onerous to image Volkanovski firing himself up for an additional run to the highest of 145 kilos. This chance is nearly as good because it will get with Ilia Topuria out of the image and a beatable opponent in Diego Lopes. It’s an opportunity that received’t come once more.

Far be it from us to equate retirement with loss of life, however Volkanovski owes nothing to anybody, so it’s fully comprehensible if he pulls the plug on his preventing profession within the occasion his hand isn’t raised at UFC 314.

Meshew: You must by no means say by no means on this sport, however on this case, I’m going to do exactly that. That is make or break for Volkanovski, not less than as far as the title image is worried.

For my part, Volkanovski is likely one of the 10 biggest fighters of all time. However Father Time comes for us all, and he seems to be knocking on Volkanovski’s door. Volk’s misplaced three of his previous 4 fights, the final two by knockout. Proper now, we will clarify that each one away as “Effectively, one was a short-notice combat, up a weight class, towards the highest pound-for-pound fighter on the planet and an all-time nice; and the opposite was to what appears to be a future all-time nice” however that argument falls aside the extra “ands” you add to it. If Lopes blows Volkanovski’s doorways off, it turns into fairly apparent that Volk isn’t at his peak anymore. And the historical past of MMA tells us that fighters who’re previous their prime nearly by no means get again to the highest, even when they’ll grasp round for awhile.

And you realize what? That’s OK. MMA isn’t strictly about preventing for titles. Typically it’s nearly preventing good fights towards nice opponents, for enjoyable. Whereas a loss in all probability precludes Volkanovski from a title hunt once more, it doesn’t stop him from having legends fights with guys like Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje or Dustin Poirier. So if Volk is barely fascinated about preventing for belts, then sure, that is do or die. However that doesn’t imply this needs to be the tip of his profession. Not if he nonetheless needs to compete.

And if Volkanovski beats Lopes? Most individuals received’t view him because the true champion since Topuria vacated the title, and that’s advantageous. It’s nonetheless a terrific accomplishment and a pleasant extra feather in his cap as probably the greatest to ever do it.

Martin: In a world the place Dustin Poirier can get knocked out, beat a random prospect, after which get a title shot, is anyone ever actually, actually left for useless within the UFC?

With that mentioned, Volkanovski seems to be in that make-or-break place as a result of he’s coming off two violent knockout losses and he’s 36 years previous and turning 37 in only a few months. The lighter weight divisions are hardly ever sort to older fighters so this actually is likely to be Volkanovski’s final shot at reclaiming a championship and making one final run on the high of the featherweight division.

Now, his legacy is cemented. He’s going to be remembered as one of many biggest featherweights of all time, however getting worn out by Makhachev, Topuria and, hypothetically, Lopes in a trio of consecutive fights definitely isn’t the best way he needs his run on the high of the game to return to an finish. On the flip-side, Volkanovski successful and changing into a two-time champion at his age solely strengthens his declare that he occupies rarified air for GOAT standing with solely Jose Aldo and Max Holloway doubtlessly sharing that very same area with him.

Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

2. What are Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett preventing for?

Martin: Relevancy. However in a a lot totally different approach for each fighters.

For Chandler, it’s straightforward to neglect he’s solely earned two wins within the UFC and a kind of got here towards an ageing and clearly on his approach out Tony Ferguson. His debut knockout over Dan Hooker appears nice proper now, however Chandler merely can’t survive by being the man who all the time places on thrilling fights earlier than finally shedding. None of his losses got here towards lackluster opposition, however Pimblett is a fringe high 15 fighter at finest so Chandler can ill-afford to drop this one and watch his UFC report fall to 2-5 whereas concurrently saying goodbye to his standing among the many finest fighters on the planet at 155 kilos.

In the meantime, Pimblett has the possibility to show he’s truly an elite light-weight as a result of prefer it or not, the jury continues to be out on his true potential. Sure, he laid waste to King Inexperienced however the artist previously generally known as Bobby has been wildly inconsistent these days whereas going 1-3 in his previous 4 fights. If Pimblett can put any individual like Chandler away—it doesn’t matter what his report says—that’s rattling spectacular and he can lastly start thinking about himself a reliable menace within the light-weight division.

Lee: Whoever loses Saturday is rarely preventing for a UFC title.

Relying the way you view Chandler and Pimblett, that is likely to be deeply insulting or an apparent truth about each fighters whatever the end result. I’ve lengthy argued Pimblett is a greater fighter than he will get credit score for, affected by the uncommon MMA affliction of his outsized persona inflicting critics to be unfairly harsh with their appraisal of his abilities. He’s an awesome grappler, swings onerous (even when his accuracy leaves one thing to be desired), and he’s rattling close to not possible to complete.

You already know, that form of describes Chandler, too, although Chandler is unquestionably a extra revered striker with a extra suspect chin. However he’s undoubtedly related in that oversized expectations (a lot of them his personal creation) have put him in a wierd mild amongst MMA followers. Every little thing about him screams big-name fighter, however the outcomes inform a unique story and he’s nowhere close to the extent of notoriety of a few of his rivals (*cough* McGregor *cough*).

So sure, Chandler vs. Pimblett is a combat for survival. It’s a combat for relevance. And it’s a combat for retaining the hopes of an unlikely title shot alive.

Meshew: In all honesty, after I began to reply this I used to be going to say “a title shot” as a result of it felt like there may be an outdoor likelihood that might occur. However as I began working via it, the true reply arose earlier than me just like the Girl of the Lake, bearing Excalibur: Saturday’s co-main occasion is the Ilia Topuria sweepstakes.

Proper now the light-weight title image is an entire mess. Makhachev is ready to see if Jack Della Maddalena upsets Belal Muhammad and if that doesn’t occur, there isn’t any clear-cut subsequent contender for him. The only option, Arman Tsarukyan, simply blew his shot earlier this 12 months, and not one of the different contenders actually stand out as nice choices. Then there’s Topuria, who followers actually wish to get the title shot however who doesn’t remotely deserve it and who Makhachev principally instructed, “Beat one dude after which we will discuss.” Effectively, right here’s a dude!

The Paddy Pimblett stuff is so apparent I don’t even have to say it. They’ve bought beef, Pimblett might be a legit contender, settle up. And as for Michael Chandler, he’s a preferred fighter who the UFC kinda owes one thing to what with the Conor McGregor fiasco, so giving him a No. 1 contender matchup with Topuria looks like a stable make-up transfer for them. And for Topuria, that’s an exceedingly winnable combat towards a giant title that will get him to his purpose. Frankly, if I’m Chandler and I win on Saturday, I’m not doing my common “scream and name out McGregor” factor, I’m taking purpose at Topuria and welcoming him to light-weight.

3. Outdoors of the top-2 fights, which combat or fighter are you most enthusiastic about?

Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Meshew: I’m deeply not excited in regards to the featured bout of the night as a result of the UFC is transparently selling a Hitler apologist and I’m not cool with that. So although I like Jean Silva, that combat sucks. You already know what combat doesn’t suck although? Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes!

Don’t look now, however after a four-fight shedding streak and practically being lower from the UFC, Reyes is on a win streak! (Two’s a streak, you bozo). In the meantime, Krylov has received three in a row, although he’s been out for 2 years for some purpose. This can be a matchup of streaking, high 10 mild heavyweights! Bigfoot droppings are extra widespread!

However that’s not likely why I care. I care as a result of the combat ought to be enjoyable. Reyes appears to be discovering himself once more and Krylov is sort of by no means in a boring combat. These two huge galoots are going to go scrap for quarter-hour or much less and the consequence ought to be bizarre and engaging and enjoyable. Signal me up.

Martin: The favored reply might be going to be Patricio Pitbull making his UFC debut, however honestly the combat that has me sitting on the sting of my seat is the featherweight showdown between Jean Silva and Bryce Mitchell.

On one facet you’ve bought Silva—the Preventing Nerd who delivers continuous motion and highlight-reel finishes. After which there’s Mitchell, who believes the Earth is flat and seatbelts are silly and one way or the other these are the least problematic stances he’s taken since arriving within the UFC!

If Silva wins, he rockets as much as one other stratosphere of recognition and attraction, particularly if he can do his finest Josh Emmett impression in relation to ending Mitchell. If Mitchell will get the job executed maintain onto your butts as a result of his post-fight interview may produce extra shock and awe than Sam Rockwell’s monologue on The White Lotus. How are you going to not simply love these stakes?

Lee: I’m speculated to take the low-hanging Pitbull fruit right here (whoa, that sounded form of gross), however I’m truly stepping into a unique course: Jim Miller vs. Chase Hooper, everyone!

It wasn’t way back I brazenly questioned whether or not Hooper, barely 23 years previous by the point he’d gone 3-3 within the UFC, could be higher served returning to the regional scene. Now he’s not solely strung collectively 4 wins to determine himself as a legit UFC fighter, he’s dealing with the promotion’s residing embodiment of persistence and consistency: Jim F’ing Miller.

That is one On To the Subsequent One listeners have referred to as for on a number of events and I used to be reluctant to embrace it, however the time is true. I don’t understand how good Hooper continues to be. I don’t understand how shut Miller is to the tip of his profession and if the age hole will lastly catch as much as him. I don’t know if it is a passing of the torch or if each guys are going to finish up preventing not less than 10 extra occasions within the UFC. Any chance is on the desk.

Most significantly, it’s going to be a enjoyable and engaging combat to look at. Whether or not this stays on the ft or finally ends up on the bottom, anticipate some wild exchanges, and for Miller to at one level face the conclusion that Hooper is younger sufficient to be his son (16-year age distinction, identical as Lorelai and Rory Gilmore! Actual ones know what I’m speaking about!).

MMA, you all the time discover new methods to shock us.