Alexander Volkanovski (champion) and Brian Ortega (#2) are two durable fighters. Volkanovski being a better striker and Ortega being a better grappler, this fight will demonstrate the importance of wrestling in the world of mixed martial arts – as it dictates where the fight takes place.
Volkanovski’s Strengths
- Great feints
- Octagon awareness
- Great leg kicks
- Understanding of distance
- Tough
Ortega’s Strengths
- Good timing
- Patience
- Great submissions
- Tough
What does Volkanovski have to do to win?
Volkanovski is one of the strongest fighters (if not the strongest) in the featherweight division. However, despite being the stronger fighter Volkanovski does not overly rely on strength to win fights, but rather on his overall game plan. He feints a lot and creates openings through distance management and movement. To win against Ortega requires Volkanovski to follow his normal fighting strategy; stay in the kicking range, feint a lot, and mostly attack the lower body while being opportunistic about head strikes. Volkanovski needs to utilize his heavy kicks against Ortega’s legs, similar to what he did to Max Hollaway, this will not only slow Ortega’s movement but will also make it harder for Ortega to take Volkanovski down. It only takes a small opening for Ortega to submit people on the ground, therefore, Volkanovski should avoid the ground at all cost. With that being said, Volkanovski possesses solid wrestling abilities, now combine that with his strength it should be fairly easy for Volkanovski to keep this fight on feet.
What does Ortega have to do to win?
Out of the two fighters, Ortega is definitely a better grappler. When it comes to ground fighting, Ortega can submit people from all kinds of positions. Therefore, Ortega should try taking Volkanovski down or rather let Volkanovski take him down if he tries to. While fighting on feet, Ortega should keep his distance by utilizing his jabs and teeps and make Volkanovski miss a lot. To win against Volkanovski requires Ortega to make this a dirty fight but at the kicking range. Furthermore, Ortega should kick Volkanovski’s body every chance he gets, regardless if Volkanovksi blocks them or not. Ortega should do this especially when Volkanovski tries closing the distance. This will not only slow Volkanovski down but will also frustrate him and force Volkanovski to overextend and even go for the takedowns.
Prediction
While Volkanovski has the advantage on feet, Ortega has the advantage in the grappling department. However, I do think that Volkanovski’s wrestling is good enough to prevent this fight from being fought on the ground. Therefore, I’m going with Volkanovski on this one.
