Alexander Volkanovski
Fans Rally Behind Alexander Volkanovski as Criticism of his Ability To Draw Audience Emerges: “Volk Can’t Draw for Shit without Islam”
In the midst of the Twitterverse, a debate has erupted surrounding UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and his ability to draw significant attention without the presence of Islam Makhachev. Fans have taken to the social media platform to express their support for the Australian fighter, countering the notion that he lacks drawing power.
Volkanovski is currently preparing for his upcoming fight against Yair Rodriguez, which is scheduled to take place in the near future. However, some critics argue that Volkanovski’s star power diminishes when he is not associated with Makhachev, who has gained attention and a dedicated following in the MMA community.
Nevertheless, fans have swiftly come to Volkanovski’s defense, pointing out similar situations in the past where fighters’ popularity grew significantly once a high-profile matchup was announced. They argue that Charles Oliveira experienced a surge in fan base only after his fight against Islam Makhachev was confirmed, indicating that the presence of a well-known opponent can greatly impact a fighter’s draw.
While there are dissenting voices claiming that Islam Makhachev himself is not a major draw, the majority of fans seem to support Volkanovski and his drawing power. The Twitter thread has seen various reactions, with some users posting humorous GIFs and others engaging in spirited discussions defending the featherweight champion.
As the anticipation builds for Volkanovski’s fight against Yair Rodriguez, it is clear that many fans believe in his ability to captivate audiences and draw attention to his bouts. The Australian champion continues to prove his worth inside the Octagon, and his supporters eagerly await his upcoming performance.
Check out some of the fan reactions below:
In a thrilling turn of events, Daniel Cormier, the renowned UFC analyst, has shared his groundbreaking analysis on Yair Rodriguez’s path to becoming the undisputed UFC featherweight champion at UFC 290. With the highly anticipated fight card set to take place on July 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, all eyes are on Rodriguez as he aims to dethrone the legendary Alexander Volkanovski.
Cormier, in a captivating video on his YouTube channel, broke down the crucial elements that Rodriguez must harness to secure victory. Emphasizing the unique challenge posed by Volkanovski’s counter-striking abilities, Cormier advised Rodriguez, stating, “Yair Rodriguez is gonna have to do something different this weekend because if he forces, and he goes forward too much, he’s gonna find himself in trouble. He’s gotta use his kicks like he did against Josh Emmett.”
Continuing his insightful breakdown, Cormier emphasized that relying solely on boxing skills would be perilous for Rodriguez, citing Max Holloway’s experience in his third fight against Volkanovski. Instead, Cormier stressed the significance of Rodriguez’s kick arsenal, highlighting their effectiveness against Volkanovski. However, he also acknowledged the Australian champion’s formidable wrestling prowess.
Rodriguez’s last victory against Josh Emmett, where he showcased his impressive kicking abilities, was a testament to his potential in this upcoming clash. Despite his striking prowess, Rodriguez enters the fight as a considerable underdog with betting odds placing him at +285.
Meanwhile, Cormier couldn’t help but praise Volkanovski’s exceptional fight IQ, regarding him as one of the smartest fighters in the entire UFC. With an unblemished record in the featherweight division and an impressive promotional debut in 2017, Volkanovski is rightfully the favorite heading into UFC 290.
“Very rarely do you get a guy [like Volkanovski] that’s shorter that possesses that type of countering ability. Yair Rodriguez is gonna have to do something different this weekend because if he forces, and he goes forward too much, he’s gonna find himself in trouble. He’s gotta use his kicks like he did against Josh Emmett.”
Cormier continued:
“It can’t be the hands that is gonna save Yair Rodriguez because if he tries to do it with the hands, he’s gonna get ate up like Max [Holloway] did in fight number three by Volkanovski. He’s that good. You gotta do it with the kicks if you’re Yair Rodriguez. The problem with the kicks is, Volkanovski can wrestle.“
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