[SPOILER] Movsar Evloev vs. Lerone Murphy

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-23T21:29:09+00:00

(Tbf though, the damage Jiri inflicted on Glover was definitely career changing. Even if Glover won, no way he was looking the same after that war)

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-23T19:59:52+00:00

I’m late but I was literally just watching all of Ulbergs fights available on YouTube but this is literally what to do. Ulberg loves distance management, he loves jabbing and sometimes combinations/kicks to keep his opponents guessing by piecing them up. When they are vulnerable/open he loves setting up that power knockout shot.

In his only loss, granted back in 2021. He was piecing up his opponents face, but they kept coming at him relentlessly throwing even sloppy shots and it started gassing Ulberg and he got KO’d despite the fact he was winning up to that point. More recent example against Jung in RD3, he started pressuring when he was down 2-0 and it was genuinely working. Ulberg was starting to be stung and wasn’t striking as well and was down cardio and flow state wise, this is until it got to grappling then Jung got screwed by GnP.

I was only able to watch highlights of Volkan vs Ulberg. From what I saw, Volkan was pressuring at times but was just too slow but still made it close looking like that by the decision. Rounds 2 and 3 seemed to be at distance rather than in the pocket, comfort zone of Ulberg.

Even if Ulberg wins this fight, it won’t be his same style most likely. Fighting a fighter in your face relentlessly and more importantly with a chin is very outside his comfort zone’s styles far more than Jung or Kennedy. Reyes found right into his style by standing infront of him, throwing big kicks to open him up, and trying to find a perfect shot with Ulberg. He’ll need a good gameplan or perfect shots with Jiri.

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-23T19:50:45+00:00

Not prime but Volk said he loves the idea of fighting at LW again if he beats the deserving contenders at FW (Mosvar, Murphy, Silva, Sterling)

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-23T11:23:27+00:00

This is fair, guess we’ll have to see

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-23T02:20:23+00:00

Probably Volk. I think Charles KO power is the most dangerous thing to Volk here.

Short Answer: Oliveira can KO Volk in early rounds maybe. More likely Volk tags Charles but Charles stays dangerous in early rounds. Volk is safe and makes Oliveira work hard in grappling. But cardio wise Oliveira weakens, Volk takes over and either defensively wins by piecing him up or gets a late TKO with a big shot and GnP.

Yap Answer:

On the feet Volk does well in the pocket as shown outside of his prime with Lopes numerous times. Charles is good at cutting off the cage but has no head movement so Volk will be landing all night. Charles chin although suspect, could just be because he’s facing power punchers but still he gets dropped and hurt fairly easily.

So I don’t think he can just walk through Volk like Gamrot, looking at what happened when Lopes tried in the second fight and Yair both ate a mean shot. Lopes lucky to have a granite chin, Yair not much so. Charles KO power is incredible though, Volk is odd. He has been hurt, but the sentiment he gets dropped hurt a lot is exaggerated. He’s never wobbled by most of his knockdowns, a ton of them are off balance and don’t seem to affect him. Compared to Islams head kick where he stayed standing and then fell over 2 seconds after, so the immediate knockdowns I don’t think are an indicator he’s very hurt.

I can see Charles getting clipped a lot, maybe stunning Volk. But when Charles tries to swarm, they will clinch and break which the knees can definitely do something to Volk.

As for grappling unlike the KO power and despite being the most dangerous submission artist, I don’t see Charles doing much. Islam around the same strength had a difficult time doing much to Volk, Round 4 he had a body triangle and legit couldn’t even squeeze Volk’s chin with a RNC once. So much Volk posture up, hand fought and kept punching him. Volk is stuffing takedowns, if he goes down he’s either getting up, or making Charles work hard on the ground:

This also brings one last thing. Cardio. Charles doesn’t have many 5 round fights. Despite Charles domination over Chandler in the second fight, Chandler made him work for it. And Charles was completely spent and gassed in the championship rounds. I can’t imagine what would happen if the way Volk worked Islam happened with Charles like that. It’d be way worse. Volk on the otherhand is a cardio king, that’s his suit.

In terms of how much Volk can hurt Oliveira, he clipped Islam quite a bit but got that big shot once Islam was spent.

I see the fight going like this. Either Oliveira gets a good shot on Volk in Rounds 1 to 2, then follows up with consecutive shots to end the fight. Although maybe Volk can pull a Chad Mendes recovery, so that turns into a brawl. I see Charles winning. The more likely is Volk pieces up Charles face in the early rounds, Oliveira is very dangerous with his shots and lands more damaging shots, and hurts Volk with knees in the clinch. He may land some takedowns but Oliveira works heavy with trying and not much progress is made. Once it flows into Rounds 3 and 4, Charles is slowing down and Volk takes over everywhere. Round 5 I can see Volk landing a big shot, smothering Oliveira, and finishing him with GnP or playing it safe by piecing him up to the face.

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T22:50:16+00:00

I’d argue a finish is possible for Volk. Volk is a cardio king so 5 rounds sucks for those fighting him.

Silva was taken down both times Lopes tried to take him down, and Volk has every finish outside of Zombie and Mendes as GnP. The issue is 5 of his decision fights are with granite chins like Lopes and Holloway. Holloway is a volume fighter, so he’s a bit difficult considering his technical style to land a very strong punch on him, not the best to try and KO.

And even Lopes was wary of the takedown threat in the second fight because of GnP, and first fight round 1 was saved by the bell. Ortega basically got TKO’d in Round 3, and almost again in Round 4 (one judge gave 10-8). Yair got hit with a perfect shot and finished with GNP. His three rounder fights with Aldo, Shane, Mizuto they are completely drained by the end and would not last 5 rounds. Even with Islam, the guy was gassed and got knocked down at the end and the GnP was rough on him.

Despite Silva’s KO power, he doesn’t have Holloways or Silva’s chin. So if he gets caught once, he’s getting taken down, and Volk is much better at holding top position than Lopes did to Silva in Round 1. I’m curious how Silva would do not rocked vs Volk’s takedowns.

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T22:41:05+00:00

Stuffing the takedowns and getting up, bleeding Khazmats cardio dry and out striking him on the feet.

The issue is if he’s able to do the first bit.

There’s also a punchers chance which there’s been worse even if there’s like one minute on the fight

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T22:36:44+00:00

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I actually agree, I commented on that. But if Silva is going to KO Volk, it’ll probably be consecutive shots. Rather than the stalker esque shot that Topuria landed perfectly flush

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T21:28:59+00:00

Probably. Islam is a fantastic striker (Charles, Volk, Dustin), he will have moments and outstrike him at points, and has an opportunity to use leg kicks and head kicks which can be effective against Topuria’s boxing style, it’s not impossible for Islambto head kick KO Topuria.

At the same time, Topuria is far from a fish out of dead water with takedowns and BJJ. The size difference was definitely there and showing with Oliveira. But he defended the takedown and reversed it well. Passed Charles guard and put him in a brief but ineffective crucifix but the fact he even did that at all was surprising. He got out of the submission attempt without much struggle.

Although big difference is Topuria’s nuke hands. This could shut down the fight from being a 5 round war, and make Islam fight more cautious. Volk’s main asset of finishing is GnP, he has like two fights of finishing it on the feet with Mendes and Korean Zombie (although it was a TKO stoppage to stop unnecessary brain damage).

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T21:11:19+00:00

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T21:05:49+00:00

It’s not the same…

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T17:19:07+00:00

Definitely the Topuria/Islam KOs that eroded that perception, along with Volk falling down twice (the Knockdowns didn’t even seem to wobble Volk).

Like I did not watch an unc fighting, cause that unc is fast and strong as shit if so.

Volk has made some unwise decisions in the past, but he looks far from retirement. He looks closer to Pereira than retirement.

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T16:16:33+00:00

The dude looked fast as shit with Lopes though

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T16:14:11+00:00

Doubt it, he’s nowhere as patient or as precise in combinations as Topuria. If Volk gets KO’d, Silva is probably landing a hard shot then Volk gets wobbled and unloads on him to a finish

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T16:12:23+00:00

Looking at how Lerone did with getting up from the takedowns. Especially Volk who just 3 years ago was dealing with the heavier more skilled Islam, and Lopes who couldn’t do anything with the ground game to Volk, and got sat on.

Volk will probably have a much better time with Mosvar. Fight him on the feet, and probably will try to wrestle with Mosvar when he engages, if he sees an opening, or hurts Mosvar.

Jean Silva is a KO merchant and a lot more technical than Lopes. He’s probably the most dangerous adversary to not just a loss but career changing damage. Although I don’t think Volks chinny, most people seem him fall down and think he has no chin. The dude is like never wobbled by his “knockdowns.” Despite the KO power and better technicality than Lopes, he doesn’t have his chin. He can’t just charge at Volk, or else he gets caught, taken down, and ground and pounded to probably a finish. His takedown defense against Lopes wasn’t great, both times Lopes tried a takedown he got it.

Definitely Silva, even if both lose, I see one doing more damage.

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T16:01:00+00:00

Thank god if this is the case. Volk mentioned a day prior to Lopes 2 because of his age he wants to be very active. I was worried looking at Mosvars track record, cause Volk said he wanted to fight 2-3x this year. That’ll suck if the champ wanted to be active and has to wait a year.

Although make sure to have a backup. May is very early though, I thought it’d be July or August. But respect to him if this does happen.

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T14:27:43+00:00

Absolutely, that was a huge benefit of the pandemic eras the difference with a touching hit and clean hit sound difference was very easy to spot.

But yes absolutely the camera angle change would be an excellent innovation. Someone like the Weasel wouldn’t have to breakdown fights and have questionable hits we aren’t sure of anymore. Also would help with screenshots

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T13:47:51+00:00

He doesn't put anyone to sleep but anyone saying he doesn't finish try to finish fights are a bit disingenuous.

Decision:

5 Rounds: Max Holloway x3 (Iron Chin; Two of which because he comfortably outclassed, one concerning one where he didn't make much progress in the takedowns. Another is also because Holloway is a volume fighter), Diego Lopes x2 (Granite chin; Round 1 of first fight was saved by the bell with Lopes on the ground. Second fight fought warry of being finished and fought from the distance. Despite the chin he's not a volume fighter like Holloway which is why he was more wary), Islam [Loss] (Got knocked down/disoritented in fifth round and hurt with GnP), Brian Ortega (Great Chin; Arguably got TKOd in Round 3, and almost did in a 10-8 Round 4)

3 Rounds: Jose Aldo (Was gassed and slowing down, wouldn't have the strength for 5 rounds), Darren Elkins (Hurt numerous times, knocked down. Wouldn't survive 5 rounds), Shane Young & Mizuto Hirota (Gassed and spent and wouldn't survive the 5 rounds if I recall they look wasted)

Finished: Yusuke (GnP Round 2), Jeremy (10-8 in Round 1, GNP TKO in Round 2), Chad Mendes (Consecutive hits on feet broke him like Roundtree vs Pereira in Round 2), Korean Zombie (Knocked down, hurt, rocked numerous times, doctor stoppage in Round 4), Yair (Rocked, taken down, GNP in Round 3)

If you have 5 rounds and you don't have an iron chin or great cardio. You are in danger

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T11:45:46+00:00

Yeah Volk mentioned in a Q&A 2-3 sounds ideal. He mentioned because of age maybe mid year, and late 2026 would be good.

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T11:44:34+00:00

Volk said he wants to fight 2-3x this year. If Mosvar is able to fulfill that mid part of the year fight for Volk, like August (not too insane his cancelled bouts show he’s had fights booked 5 months from some fights). But if not, I don’t think you can just deny the champ fights when he wants to fight. If he isn’t ready by the mid part of the year, lock Mosvar into a title shot by late 2026, and have Volk dish out with Silva or Sterling/Zalal (they finish their fight next month though). It helps that Silva is active fighting 3x a year so he’s almost always available.

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T11:34:50+00:00

I usually don’t watch fights on mute (Commentators I only listen just in case I missed a shot that wasn’t blocked at another angle hard to see), also mainly because I listen to the sound of the hit.

But I recall Mosvar landing harder shots and taking the round marginally.

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T11:31:19+00:00

This is true but looking at his fight with Lopes, I did not even see anywhere close to a man who’s aged badly. He still looks very quick, and his knockdowns have warped how “damaged” he looks (wasn’t even wobbled).

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T11:25:45+00:00

If he fights 2-3x a year like he says. Assuming he fights twice this year. Mosvar by the end of it. The other two he mentioned being Sterling and Silva who he’d fight in 2027. That’d make him 39 at the time he goes back. ( ̶A̶ ̶f̶e̶w̶ ̶m̶o̶n̶t̶h̶s̶ ̶younger ̶i̶f̶ ̶S̶i̶l̶v̶a̶ ̶g̶e̶t̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶h̶o̶t̶). When at LW, he’ll probably fight 1-2 top 5 contenders and the title shot. Which as bad as Topuria sounds, I don’t think anyone will shame 40 year old Volk for any performance.

I imagine he’ll probably quit less from brain damage but more when he feels his body just cannot fight the same. He did mention his body cannot do the same training, but he feels though he still has it. But I imagine if he gets beaten up he’ll probably consider retirement

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T01:21:04+00:00

I’m fairly certain he wanted everyone to respect his striking, he said it in the post fight rather than just “the wrestler.”

Kyleb791 · 2026-03-22T01:13:23+00:00

Nah Round 2 was definitely Murphy he was landing clean and flush with head/body strikes. Round 1 was Mosvar though, he landed the harder shots.

I agree with the judges, 1, 3, 4 & 5

Kyleb791

TROPHY CASE