Volk is my favorite fighter and leading up to the first I had him winning. In this one i think its over 90% change he loose.

There are so many built in excuses: 1. He just had a hand surgery 2. He hasnt been mindfully bulking/dieting for a 155 bout. 3. He was set to face a striker at FW. Now the best grappler at LW. 4. He has a 10 Day notice 5. He will have jet lag 6. He will not be climated for Abu dabi 7. He wont benefit as much as Islam from the long rehydration Window 8. He will have to spend alot of those 10 Days for traveling, weight cut, and media. 9. (Conspiratorial) if they go to a close decision Abu dabi will give Islam the rub. 10. Islam has had a full training camp w/ khabib, preparing for a serious rematch in Charles, so he will be dialed in.

I guess my question is, long after the fact, will be just say that ‘look, islam beat Volk twice, arguably the best FW ever, and that is impressive’ regardless of the actual context of each fight? I mean ive seen alot of people add TJ dillashaw as a valid accolade to Aljo sterlings record, Even though TJ only had 1 arm and the whole thing was a farce.

Volk got alot of respect for his performance in the first bout, but I recon Islam will Either finish him or dominante him in this one, partly due to the reasons listed. And that will effectively close the chapter for Volks 2 divison aspirations due to his age.

Islam isnt many fights removed from staking his claim as the LW GOAT, and I do Wonder how the Volk bouts will be remembered. Dismissively, or – Purely based om name value and on-paper prestige, removed from the context?