As we approach UFC290, I have seen a lot of talk about the achievements of Alexander “the Great” Volkanovski.
No doubt he is a fan favourite and has captured the respect of MMA fans around the world.
But the new rhetoric about what he has done in the UFC has already eclipsed Khabib, baffled me as so many seem to have this view.
Don’t get me wrong, by no means am I downgrading what he has done in the sport, and he deserves the accolades and adulation of the fans.
But let me start by saying I believe a lot of this new rhetoric is born out of Volkanovksi moving up to lightweight to challenge Khabib’s boy, Islam Makhachev, and just coming up short in a close points decision. A correct decision, although wafer thin.
I know many did not agree with this decision, more because Volkanovski was moving up and pushed Islam all the way, who maybe “got away with one” has altered the fan’s opinions on Volkanovksi, Makhachev and indeed Khabib.
However, as much as Volkanoski should be praised and admired, there are glaring differences between his and Khabib’s reigns, at least to this point.
There is no doubt that currently, Volkanoski is in the running for no1 pound for pound fighter in the UFC, and his achievements cannot be overlooked. But firstly, he is in a different weight to where Khabib was. Although the lightweight champion Khabib only made three defences of this title before calling it quits.
Volkanovski, as the featherweight champ has already made four defences and moved up to challenge Islam Makhachev, it is the quality of these defences as opposed to the quantity that makes all the difference for me.
If we are talking about quantity, Khabib is 13-0 in the UFC in a career that spanned eight years that was plagued, more in the earlier stages, with injuries and extreme weight cuts. Volkanoski is 12-1 in seven years, but in his division as a featherweight, he is 12-0.
The similarities are scary. However, in Khabib’s run, he has beaten four former champions in that run, Volkanovksi on the other hand, has beaten two.
But three wins over Holloway can elevate that stat beyond just beating two champions.
However, this is why the disparities for me get wide. In Khabib’s thirteen wins, only six went the distance and only one of the four former champions he beat managed to see the final bell.
With Volkanoski, eight of his twelve wins went the distance, with one being a split decision.
Khabib has not had any split decision victories, and in fact, he has not had any close winning decisions. All his wins have been dominant performances.
With Volkanoski, I thought the first fight with Holloway was mighty close, which could have gone either way. However, in the second fight, I thought Holloway won.
Also, in his fight against Ortega, he was within a second of being choked out, but credit to him for his strength and determination that he managed to survive and make it out to close the fight and win on points.
In Khabib’s career, you have never seen him remotely close to being in that situation, and I only remember against Michael Johnson where he got caught a few times.
Not even against Conor McGregor did I see him in any bit of trouble.Although in sports, the key is about winning and more so, winning as much as possible.
However, in certain circumstances, especially when you are comparing eras, you must look more deeply into the quality with the quantity.
When comparing these two supreme athletes and fighters, you cannot just make snap judgements based on emotional decisions.
Let’s get this right. Volkanovski has done tremendously thus far in his career and has shown he is fearless in chasing greatness by moving up to challenge Makhachev.
But things must be put into perspective. Based on my facts, I cannot say Volkanovski has surpassed Khabib in his career. For me, he has a little way to go before you can say that yet.
He has an important title defence against interim featherweight champion Yari Rodriguez, at UFC290, win that and then maybe two more tough title defences, then we can reignite this conversation.
But until then, let’s just enjoy Khabib for the dominant champion he was but also, marvel at Volkanoski for the dominant champion he is.
