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Alexander Volkanovski (champion) and Chan Sung Jung (#4) are two tough and durable fighters. Although different in their fighting styles, they both like to stay busy. This will be a high-paced and action-packed fight.  

Volkanovski’s Strengths

• Understanding of distance 
• Octagon awareness 
• Great leg kicks 
• Great feints
• Good grappling  

Volkanovski’s Weaknesses 

• Sometimes slightly leans his head forward (when punching)

Jung’s Strengths

• Durable
• Good boxing combination (when thrown)
• Solid uppercuts
• Power
• Good grappling

Jung’s Weaknesses 

• Sometimes leans his head sideways
• Sometimes drops his hands

What does Volkanovski need to do to win?

Volkanovski is one of the strongest (if not the strongest) fighters in the featherweight division. In addition, Volkanovski is very well-rounded and utilizes his mind just as much as his other body parts to his advantage. To win against Jung requires Volkanovski to follow his normal fighting strategy; feint often, stay in and out of kicking range, and mostly attack the lower body while being opportunistic about head strikes. This is because Jung’s primary weapons are his hands and if Volkanovski can stay in and out of kicking range then Volkanovski will still be able to land solid shots while at the same time making it much harder for Jung to do the same (similar to how Volkanovski fought against Max Holloway in their first fight). Furthermore, Volkanovski needs to look out for Jung’s tendencies (to slightly lean his head sideway and drop his hands) and capitalize on them by throwing hooks and roundhouse.

What does Jung need to do to win?

Jung is one of the most durable fighters in the featherweight division. He does a great job of putting pressure on his opponents and making them trade punches. However, Jung is fighting Volkanovski this Saturday, who does a great job of utilizing feints and avoiding strike trades. To win against Volkanovski requires Jung to limit the space between and around two athletes as much as he can. Jung needs to do this by closing the distance in front and backing Volkanovski up against the cage. Doing this will take away one of Volkanovski’s biggest assets (movement), and will force both athletes to stand and bang. Jung must understand that this is a fight where he has to take some damage to give more because the alternative will be that Volkanovski will mostly stay on the outside and cause the most damage. Furthermore, Jung needs to look out for Volkanovski’s tendency to lean his head forward when power-punching and capitalize on them by throwing uppercuts and knees (similar to how Max Holloway did against Volkanovski in their second fight).

Prediction 

This is an interesting fight because both fighters are durable and have knockout power. If the fight takes place at a kickboxing range Volkanovski is more likely to win, but if it takes place at a boxing range Jung is more likely to win. Given how successful Volkanovski has been with his feints and movements, I think he’ll be able to utilize them against Jung as well.

Date: Saturday, April 9 // Main Card Start Time: 10 PM EDT // Watch It On: ESPN+ PPV