5 reasons why Alexander Volkanovski can beat Charles Oliveira
Alexander Volkanovski is potentially the greatest featherweight fighter in the world. After a successful trilogy of bouts with Max Holloway, he has finally been recognized as the sport's pound-for-pound best.
'The Great' edges closer and closer to clearing out the featherweight division, and as the challengers become scarce, Alexander Volkanovski must look elsewhere.
In the aftermath of UFC 276, the reigning UFC featherweight champion made his intentions clear, stating that he will move up a weight class to challenge for the UFC lightweight championship. While the 155 pound title remains vacant due to a weigh-in mishap involving Charles Oliveira at UFC 274, the Brazilian, who recently defeated Justin Gaethje, is still viewed as the division's champion.
While Oliveira is now scheduled for a UFC 280 matchup with top contender Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski plans to capture UFC gold in the division above him. This list details five reasons why he would beat the unofficial lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira.
#5. Alexander Volkanovski's feints
Alexander Volkanovski is an active fighter whose feints render it safer for him to apply pressure. Against an opponent like Charles Oliveira, the Australian's feints would prove crucial.
'Do Bronx' is a relentless pressure fighter who fully commits himself to offense while de-emphasizing his defensive striking. When the Brazilian advances towards his opponents, he does so behind front kicks that target the midsection. This causes his foes to straighten their posture, exposing them to Oliveira's double collar-tie and follow-up knees to the head and body.
When he's closing the distance, Oliveira relies on his toughness and durability to withstand his opponent's strikes. While this proved successful against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, neither fighter is as active of a feinter as Alexander Volkanovski. Due to his constant prodding, Volkanovski is able to conceal his power-punches.
From the open stance, Volkanovski grabs Ortega's lead hand, feints a right hand, then shifts into southpaw and throws a 3-2 https://t.co/RcXOjr8ti5
Punches that fighters fail to see coming are often the ones that result in knockouts. Not only will Volkanovski find better openings for his striking due to his feints, but the sheer variety of his feints and offensive options will overwhelm Oliveira's unconscious decision-making process.
As an unyieldingly aggressive fighter, the unofficial lightweight champion is often the one dictating his opponent's reactions. Furthermore, the lack of active feints he's encountered enabled him to march forward knowing that the limited striking arsenals of foes like Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Michael Chandler do not feature varied feints.
Even Tony Ferguson, who is himself adept at utilizing feints, did not use them against Oliveira. Alexander Volkanovski, however, will force the former lightweight champion to react, lest Oliveira allow himself to be picked apart on his way inside.