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Alexander Volkanovski took a critical gamble again in October 2023. With just 10 days to prepare, he accepted UFC’s supply to interchange the wounded Charles Oliveira reverse Islam Makhachev, the person who narrowly defeated him earlier within the 12 months. The primary bout was extremely aggressive, however predictably, an ill-prepared Volkanovski couldn’t stand as much as Makhachev’s may.
He suffered the primary knockout lack of his UFC profession consequently (watch it).
Metropolis Kickboxing head coach Eugene Bareman wasn’t in Volkanovski’s nook that evening, and in a recent interview with Medium, he revealed why he didn’t need the Australian to simply accept the struggle supply.
“I by no means actually checked out that second Islam struggle significantly. I used to be towards Volk taking that struggle and was very open about it,” Bareman defined. “Pay attention, Volkanovski is a good fighter, however you need to keep some degree of rationale. You educated for 12 weeks for the primary struggle and, sure, there’s an argument that you simply gained. However the outcome was totally different, proper? Ultimately, the very fact is that no matter you probably did in these 12 weeks wasn’t sufficient to get the win on judges’ scorecards. It’s unrealistic to count on that you would be able to ship higher outcomes with every week of preparation.”
He later continued, “The most important tragedy for me personally is that I strongly believed that with a correct preparation for the rematch, we may present an excellent higher efficiency than we did within the first struggle. And I actually needed us to have that likelihood — with a correct camp. So the most important tragedy for me is that we are going to by no means get a chance to face Islam once more. That’s what I’m gutted about. However I additionally perceive why Alex accepted the struggle.”
Clearly, fighters undergo coaching camps for a easy purpose: to extend their odds of success! Along with his coach advising him towards it, why did Volkanovski soar on the chance to face Makhachev in less-than-ideal circumstances? He doubtless may’ve scored one other shot at Light-weight gold with an extra Featherweight title protection or two.
In keeping with Bareman, cash was an essential issue. Volkanovski scored a brand new deal by agreeing to the Makhachev bout, one that may proceed to pay him nicely into the longer term for different fights.
“Everybody has their very own causes for preventing however there’s one recurring theme — that is how fighters assist their households and their future. I’m undecided if this was broadly publicized however Alex did signal a brand new contract with that final struggle. So it wasn’t about simply getting one large payday. It was about all his future fights occurring with considerably — considerably — higher compensation. So, from this standpoint, his choice was comprehensible.”
That higher compensation will proceed together with his deliberate sixth Featherweight title defense against Ilia Topuria, which is scheduled for UFC 298 in Anaheim, California subsequent weekend (Sat., Feb. 17, 2024). We’ll simply have to attend and see if the precise knockout loss itself additionally carries penalties into the Topuria reserving.
Insomnia
Who doesn’t love a great teep? Blissful nationwide Muay Thai day!
Turns on the market was much more provide than demand.
A pair of Middleweight releases, neither of that are notably stunning.
This thread gave me a chuckle. I’ve positively given Herb Dean some s—t for his officiating selections over the 12 months, nevertheless it’s a tricky job and the person has put in his time! Respect.
Michael Bisping talks about what’s arguably essentially the most legendary second in his profession: getting knocked out by Anderson Silva and successful anyway!
I’m going to supply what I’ve gathered is a sizzling take: I prefer it when the title adjustments arms so much. Seeing athletes reside their dream is superior. One man being method higher than everybody else grows uninteresting to me.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
That was a fast transition from the entrance headlock into the d’arce choke, adopted by a pleasant step over into mount.
Van Gogh (lol) made a great learn in that his opponent was ducking each single time he went to throw wildly.
The convenience with which the knee is lifted to the chin …
Random Land
No, I don’t perceive what is going on right here.
Midnight Music: I battle the assign this music a selected style past basic rock, however maybe that’s why I adore it.
Sleep nicely Maniacs! Extra martial arts insanity is all the time on the way in which.
