Being a well rounded fighter is great until you run into a highly specialized offensive juggernaut who has good defense

[GolovKing]

That's my takeaway from the Topuria Volk fight. I think Volk is as well rounded as it gets but he faced a guy in Topuria who was just far more dangerous on the feet. Volk has more diverse striking but Topurias boxing was good enough to shut all that down and while volk is probably the better grappler, Topurias defense was good enough to render it a non factor.

 

[Substance Abuse]

But is Javier Mendez a good coach?

 

[Deceasedxo]

Topuria is well rounded though...

 

[GolovKing]

But is Javier Mendez a good coach?

No, Topurias unknown coaches from Spain are better

 

[GolovKing]

Topuria is well rounded though...

Not as well rounded as volk. Islam probably would have taken down and subbed Topuria. And I think Volk has better offensive wrestling than Topuria as well

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

On the flip, being specialized is good until you run into someone that that specialization doesn't work against (usually when a wrestler finds someone they can't take down, but another example is Cruz's unorthodox boxing/footwork getting laughed at by Cody) and they look like a fish out of water

 

[ArtardFiesta]

another loss and the common narrative will be that volk was never that good or that volk needs to cut to 135

 

[The Boomerang]

I think you’re also considered well rounded if your defense is good enough to offset what your opponent wants to do

 

[D 1 Wrestler]

No different than O'Malley or Conor or ngannou etc, this isn't new to mma

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

that's not what happened when Fedor fought Big Nog or Mirko who were both specialists in 2 vastly different martial arts. that's not what happened when Cain fought JDS. or when Woodley fought Darren Till or Wonderboy. in MMA there is no absolutes. everything hinges on the individual.

 

[Skarsgard]

That or exiting the pocket with your chin up against a counter puncher with massive power won't pay off. Take your pick, I guess.

 

[dipstickjimmy]

Not as well rounded as volk. Islam probably would have taken down and subbed Topuria. And I think Volk has better offensive wrestling than Topuria as well

Why bring Islam into the equation? Topuria is the FW champion. Are all FWs now measured by how they do against the LW champion?

 

[dipstickjimmy]

I think you’re also considered well rounded if your defense is good enough to offset what your opponent wants to do

Rock always looks unbeatable when matched up against Scissors.
When Paper calls for a title shot Rock will say Paper doesn't deserve a shot because Rock beat Scissors who beat Paper.

 

[GolovKing]

Why bring Islam into the equation? Topuria is the FW champion. Are all FWs now measured by how they do against the LW champion?

Because it goes to my point about how Topuria is not quite as well rounded a fighter as volk is

 

[LiQuiD42]

I think that is what made GSP special, the guy could switch tactics on a dime. For his era he was both the Juggernaut and the well rounded Tactician.

 

[Harlekin]

Topuria just lacks body and highkicks.
No clue why he does not throw them.
His boxing, wrestling and jitz is very good.
He has 8 submissions in 15 fights, Volk 3 in 30

 

[g*r*b]

People often comment that X fighter will win "because he has more weapons." But sometimes it's better to have really good armor and a really, REALLY sharp sword.

 

[fortheo]

Because it goes to my point about how Topuria is not quite as well rounded a fighter as volk is

In before people point out that he submitted some cans on the regional scene and he wrestled since he was in his mom's womb and managed to submit Bryce mitchel after concussing him, therefore he's super well rounded! and his grappling is elite!

Nah, seriously though, what topuria has shown us has been good, but he's very clearly going out their with a boxing based approach, so I understand why you made this thread. I gotta see more of his entire game against worthwhile opponents before I can say he's as well rounded as his fans are making him out to be.

 

[fortheo]

That or exiting the pocket with your chin up against a counter puncher with massive power won't pay off. Take your pick, I guess.

He wasn't exiting. Unfortunately volk went for a collar tie with one hand and tried to counter with his other hand. Big mistake lol.

 

[dipstickjimmy]

Because it goes to my point about how Topuria is not quite as well rounded a fighter as volk is

I guess it does but not sure why the statement of Ilia being well rounded needs to be countered with Volk is "More" well rounded. The point was that Ilia's offensive ability (fight ending KO Power) only needs enough defense to keep things standing. Islam's "One" dominant area in part relies on size. Put Islam in with Leon and while Islam may be the better wrestler Leon is well rounded enough where being the the larger athlete fills the gap. With the Islam vs Ilia equation what makes me bristle is the thought of Islam fighting another FW.