One shot? 9 years since Volk has knocked someone out with 'one shot'. And only one TKO in 8 years (Korean Zombie doesn't count since that was technically a ref stoppage). Yair is the only one in that time and he walked into a shot trying to be Yair. So odds are Volk isn't knocking him out. Happy to count out wrestling, BJJ or Samba (whatever u want to call the ground game) coz if Islam cannot sub Volk in 5 rounds Lopes is probably long odds as well.
Lopes has range so Volk is gunna need to step in. But thats exactly what Volks game is all about, getting the other guy thinking counter punch. He wants to counter the counter. Islam did that first fight and should have lost. He stepped in 2nd time around (as did Ilia) and we know what happened. And imv, Lopes was picking apart Ortega for the 1st 2 rounds more than Volk could do. But styles make fights right?
To me, if Lopes is coached well enough to step in, he'll catch Volk within a few rounds. And he's a swarmer so that may be all it takes. He's got hands too. Dropped Ortega clean with a great combo early.
The only drag on Lopes is 5 rounds. Lopes hasn't really dom'd over 3 rounds. He fades. So think he may not go too hard trying to pace. Which works well for Volk. So imv this is either a quick Lopes win or a 5 round drag that Volk probably gets on points (and Lopes will be kicking himself for 2 days later). If I'm Lopes, I'm going in on the back of kicks with combos. Few dummy TD attempts to keep him honest. Put it all on the first 2 rounds.
So I like the odds and I like the fact Volk is no longer unfinishable. Thats a big thing. My money is on Lopes but I hope Volk wins.
