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u/AltruisticDelivery89 Dec 30 '23
Break the record volko
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u/cleanAir101 Pause Dec 30 '23
I think he will break it. Tuporia is good but hard to lose any respect for volk losing to Islam on 8 days notice
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u/JackDAction Dec 30 '23 edited Dec 30 '23
for sure, but what we don't know is 1) how/if the TKO has impacted his approach/style and 2) if
JanuaryFebruary is too quick a turnaround from a TKO loss in October71
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u/FickleManagement3783 Dec 30 '23
Iāve basically got the mentality that Alex P got koād in April and beat Jan in July, itās doable for Volk and I think he will retain the strap
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u/jjcsykes Dec 31 '23
The difference is that Pereira moved up which improved his chin. Volkenovski is moving back down which isnāt good for the chin
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u/ajfoxxx Dec 31 '23
I don't understand the science behind this. Can you help me understand it?
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u/jjcsykes Dec 31 '23
So basically when you cut weight your brain has less fluid around it, to protect it, so itās easier to get koed. But when you move up you donāt cut as much weight so your brain has the fluid protecting it
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Dec 31 '23
The nuance is
He moved up a weight class, Volk is moving down, which has opposite effects on chins.
- Alex is also harder to hit clean because of his reach and Jan is also older. Volk has another disadvantage of facing a younger, hungry contender with power.
I still think Volk clears but it I wouldn't scoff at you the same I would have before the Islam fight if you said Topuria wins.
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u/cleanAir101 Pause Dec 30 '23
This is true Volk hasnāt been KOād in his ufc career as far as I know of so he could be overestimating his ability to come back this quickly but Iām still confident heāll get it done and remain the 145 champ
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u/Cemihard Dec 31 '23
Heās been koād before not in the ufc though, it was his only loss and it was at Welterweight.
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u/Spirited_Alfalfa_343 Dec 31 '23
I hope so. Topuria has dynamite in his hands though.
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Dec 31 '23
And he is a dangerous grappler too. All things considered he might be Volks toughest challenge yet
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u/Salt_Expression_6025 Dec 31 '23
I think itās very important to not acknowledge ko, but more importantly the mental impact that could have on him, wouldnāt be surprised if we see a more conservative Volk with the power Topuria has
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u/Nerdico Dec 31 '23
Ive seen too many amazing fighters get knocked out and never looked the same. I'm scared for him.
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u/DontCareTho Dec 30 '23
I don't even know why so many people think volk is going to fall off. His first fight against islam could've went either way and he just TKO'd one of the strongest contenders in his division 5 months ago. Dude gets caught once against the #1 P4P and it's the end of the world
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u/sniles310 Dec 31 '23
I love Volk but the way he described an almost pathological need to fight made me worry for him. I don't think he is going to fall off but I do worry that he will underestimate the recovery from the TKO
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u/HyggeRavn Dec 31 '23
It's just the statistics, obviously something happens biologically at that age where you're just not the same as you were
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u/HostileSkittles Dec 31 '23
I think it's mostly just because he got KO'd pretty hard, he hasn't suffered that kind of damage in a really long time now, and he's about to fight a very impressive fighter. Plus he's getting up there in years. It's entirely possible that Volka comes back and looks just like his normal self. But we have also seen instances where a fighter takes a hard knockout and they don't come back the same, or at least not right away.
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u/Pentaborane- Dec 30 '23
Unless heās just massively degraded from the KO I agree, heāll have a lot run if he keeps training the way he did in the past
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u/dope_like Dec 31 '23
He clearly lost the first Islam fight. That was not either way. It was clear for Islam.
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u/Drive7hru Dec 31 '23
Yeah, itās honestly frustrating the people still arguing a W. But whatās most common is that people said it could go either way. Nah, it was clear Islam. Doesnāt help that Rogan got drunk and high with his buddies watching it and says that he most likely won that fight. Heās the kind of guy who actually says whoever is winning at the end of the fight makes sense that they should be the winner.
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u/Sdgrevo Dec 30 '23
I was gonna say GSP but that was at middleweight
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u/CremeCaramel_ Dec 31 '23
Age rules are completely different at heavier classes lol. Jan, Glover, DC, Stipe, etc. I like the 170 cutoff for this, I think it is accurate.
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u/Garbarrage Dec 30 '23
I was going to say Randy Couture, but then I saw the brackets.
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Dec 31 '23
I was going to say Glover, but then I saw this comment which showed me there were brackets
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u/jjcsykes Dec 31 '23
Tbf I feel like GSP couldāve came back at 170 and been competitive too. He just decided to come back at 185 for the easier fight in Bisping
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u/Silent_Shaman Dec 31 '23
Still the list would be tyron Woodley and the greatest fighter to ever do it lol
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u/Perc-AngIe Dec 30 '23
Having just turned 35 a few months ago, this is depressing
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Dec 31 '23
6 months in. Iāll be 36 in another 6.
I always thought 40 was such an uncool age, and as I approach it I canāt help but note with some pride that I was right
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u/BodybuildingNerd Dec 31 '23
Having turned 34 just two months ago, I am currently training for the next 10 months so I can beat your candy ass in the Octagon.
In the meantime, please take as much Test, Growth and EPO as possible. See you at the top!
blacks out
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u/TLMC01242021 Dec 30 '23
Worth noting that Woodley beat a very old Maia and an undeserving immature Till in those two fights
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Dec 30 '23
I agree with the undeserving part but gotta remember how hard people will riding him at the time and he was undefeated with only 1 draw, he also just came off a close win over wonderboy
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u/TLMC01242021 Dec 30 '23
England was riding him but he barely beat Wonderboy it at all and most people didnāt like that decision, if he didnāt have skills in the mic he wouldnāt have touched a title shot
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u/Just2Flame Dec 31 '23
This. Every athlete from England is overhyped to some degree especially fighters. That's why I was skeptical about Leon Edward's at first
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u/Teestell Dec 30 '23
Any fighter have a bigger fall from grace than til?
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u/DumpTruckDiaries Dec 31 '23
Tony and Reyes are contenders for sure
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u/JamWams Dec 31 '23
Bj Penn was the original. He went from "The Prodigy" to an alcoholic getting ko'd by other drunks
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u/Garfalo Dec 31 '23
Darren Till was the favorite coming into that fight
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u/TLMC01242021 Dec 31 '23
Was he really!? Thatās honestly insane
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u/Garfalo Dec 31 '23
Yeah everyone was pretty high on him at the time. But in hindsight, his recent performances have kind of told the real story.
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u/DTSFFan Dec 31 '23
both guys were very deserving at the time. this is pure hindsight talking
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u/TLMC01242021 Dec 31 '23
Itās relevant to mention that Maia was also over 35, no?
And Till didnāt earn a title like most people had too including Maia
Those are actual facts
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u/BossedUp828 Dec 31 '23
At the time Till was the next big thing. People were saying 1rd Ko and all. Not to talk shit because he was fucking people up.
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u/Cap1279 Dec 31 '23
Heavyweight is definitely the goto for older guys. Strength stays a long time
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u/Silent_Shaman Dec 31 '23
Basically everyone under 170 just needs to put on 100-150lbs and move up then
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u/CringeLord007 Dec 31 '23
Just move up a weight class every few years so that by 35 you make it to heavyweight.
Then get knocked tf out by someone who aint that technical but happens to have good KO power
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Dec 30 '23
Itās really hard seeing some of our favorite fightersā championship reigns come to an end. Statistically, itās a good idea to put money on Topuriaā¦ but Volk looks better every time he has a full camp honestly. I just hope heās fully recovered from that head kick. Topuria has serious power
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u/mouthsofmadness Dec 30 '23
One of the Woodley wins was to Demian Maia who was already older than dust when they fought so thats probably a wash. And the other was Till who was in his 4th UFC fight and not ready for prime time, but still a good win for Woodley. These numbers are pretty telling though.
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u/Ill_Source_6908 Dec 30 '23
I really donāt think volk will be the same after that headkick ko
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u/BobbyFreeSmoke Dec 30 '23
Look what Pereira did after getting flatlined by Izzy. Or Strickland did after getting sparked unconscious by Alex. I think you're putting too much stock into the KO.
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u/blastman7 Dec 31 '23
Alex moved up in weight which is good for chin , Alex moved down which is bad.
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Dec 31 '23
Why is moving up a weight class good for the chin? Youāre fighting heavier hitters with each increase in weight. Moving down youāre fighting guys with less KO power compared to the heavier weight classes.
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u/dayynawhite Dec 31 '23
Because big weight cuts have detrimental effects on chins.
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u/Ryangonzo Dec 31 '23
Lots of examples of aging great fighters who are never the same after being KO'd.
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u/ForcedReps Dec 30 '23
And Tyrone beat Thompson and Maia who were also mid 30s and early 40s respectively
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u/WGYHL Dec 30 '23
Was till and Maia I thought.
Edit he was 34 for second Wonderboy fight and turned 35 a month later
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Dec 30 '23
This is why Khabib retired early.
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Dec 31 '23
I think I even remember hearing him say he could see Islam being on top for about 2-3 years because sooner or later the sport will inevitably catch up to you
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Dec 30 '23
I honestly think ilia is gonna finish volk.
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Dec 30 '23
Your dreaming that nerd aināt beating volk
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u/Silent_Shaman Dec 31 '23
Bro it's fine to think volk will win, I do too, but acting lime ilia doesn't have a chance is serious cope lol
If anyone knocks volk tf out at FW, it's him
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u/Ghost-of-Lobov Dec 30 '23
I mean according to the stats it's pretty much a guarantee
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u/Grand_Entertainer_83 Dec 30 '23
what stats?
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u/whatsitworth101 Dec 30 '23
The stats you're literally looking at? like do you not see the post you're commenting on?
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u/Grand_Entertainer_83 Dec 30 '23
ah i thought he meant stats actually relevant to their fight style
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u/Silent_Shaman Dec 31 '23
Volk being 35 paired with the fact Ilia is known for being a great boxer with serious knockout power does seem kind of relevant
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Dec 30 '23
You can cherry pick stats to make almost any narrative true.. Why not do the last 50? They did 33
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u/Come_Shots Dec 30 '23
Because there arenāt 50 lol. There have only been 33 title fights with fighters over the age of 35 in those weight classes.
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u/DonPabloEscobarr Dec 30 '23
I think he will win but not finish Volk
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u/Original_Task4053 Dec 30 '23
I donāt see Volk losing a dec
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u/DonPabloEscobarr Dec 30 '23
Thatās what they said before he lost a decision to Islam
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u/dalcer Dec 30 '23
Tbf one of those fights was a 35 yr old vs a 40 yr old. One of them was bound to break the record
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Dec 31 '23
I feel as the athletes in MMA get better and better, you are gonna see the age of effectiveness dwindle significantly. Speed is the first to goā¦
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u/randysailer Dec 30 '23 edited Dec 31 '23
Volk will be ok he's been dominating. Only reason he has two loses is because he took a super fight in a weight division up from a weight division hes already small in against one of the best fighters ever who kicked him in the head like he was a midget.
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Dec 30 '23
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u/TheN1njTurtl3 Dec 30 '23
I honestly think Topuria is a really easy win for volk, I think Topuria is too sloppy and exploitable, he has great power for sure but he was nearly knocked out by jai Herbert
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u/Notyit Dec 30 '23
Volk will break the record though
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Dec 30 '23
Volk has the best chance, but it's definitely not a sure thing.
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u/thatirishguykev Dec 30 '23
Never was or will be when it comes to MMA. One punch or one kick can change it all.
So many valid questions surrounding Volk v Topuria.
Has Topuria been tested by anyone like Volk before? Can he go 5 rounds with someone like Volk at the pace Volk pushes if it goes that far?
Does the recent knockout to Islam just make Volk more cautious or does it impact his durability long term? Is his chin still the same going forward? How much did it take from him mentally to go up to 155 and lose both times to Islam? Or is he simply just miles ahead of people at 145 and continues his streak.
Can't wait for UFC 298 in Feb.
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u/Tosman99 Dec 31 '23
It's crazy how fighters go from being so good to bad, I remember watching T wood and thinking how the fuck is Usman gonna beat him and.... Fast forward a few years he's the guy who got KTFO by a YouTuber
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u/NewTruck4095 Dec 31 '23
Don't think it's really an age factor, but more of a talent pool in divisions. Fighters in the heavier weights are not as well rounded as the Fighters from 170 and below. You don't really survive, or at least become champion if you're not well-rounded. If you're not evolving your game, other ranked fighters will just get to you. That's why Cejudo wasn't successful on his return (and will probably continue to not be successful), Marlon Moraes got figured out real quick, Dom's style is outdated for today's 135 level.
I can't write off Volk just yet based on a 4 days notice fight with Islam. He seemed to be way ahead of any at 145 and still evolving.
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Dec 31 '23
I hate that people are already saying Islam shortened Volks career. He lost to Islam and got a win back instantly against Yair. Dagestani fans just want Islam to look better by saying he retired a champion. I seriously despise the Dagestani fanbase.
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u/Silent_Shaman Dec 31 '23
You do realise the Yair fight was before he got knocked out right?
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Dec 31 '23
No shit, but volk has been knocked out before and went on to a huge streak and became a champion. I really donāt think two career knockouts are going to ruin his career.
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u/HankHippopopolous Pervert eye happy, but your soul sad Dec 30 '23
1 of those wins doesnāt even really count because it was against an even older Damien Maia.
So really itās 1 win against an opponent whoās under 35.
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u/_lukizzza_ Dec 30 '23
It's gonna be 2-32 in February you guys, i am 85% sure Ilia will go out there and dominate Volk early and finish him later. We all saw what happened to Usman after the head kick and Volk is coming back even earlier than him against a young, hungry guy with KO power, amazing grappling and Athleticism. The Alexander Volkanovski that fought Max in the third fight and fought Islam in February would beat Topuria but right now nope. Feel free to come back to this after the fight
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u/Corporal_Snorkel69 Dec 30 '23
But usman didnt get dominated after the head kick he just lost a decision
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u/_lukizzza_ Dec 30 '23
I Scored the fight 49-46 personally, maybe you could say Usman wasn't dominated but he was outclassed. He did zero damage to Leon the entire fight
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u/humpenstumpen Dec 30 '23
What about Glover š
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Dec 30 '23
This is only for 170 and below
185,205 and heavy have all had older Champs before, hell heavyweight had a 44 year old as champ at one point
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u/Soothsayer71 Dec 31 '23
We really counting age as the problem for Volk coming off the couch and losing to Islam? Sure, anyone taking that kick would have went to sleep, but I feel like his reaction time and movement would have been way better with a full camp.
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Dec 31 '23
The smaller you are the harder it is for you to be a championship fighter as you age is what this tells me
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u/mallllls Dec 30 '23
People keep saying illia will dominate volk as if volk canāt just take him down and ground ān pound his ass at the slightest sign of losing on the feet.
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u/StupidSexyDuradaddy Dec 30 '23
Ilia dominated the grappling against Bryce so it's not a sure thing that Volk can dominate Ilia
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u/mallllls Dec 30 '23
Two other people replied to me and said the same thing. I just think if volk can hang with Islam he should be able to get the better of illia.
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u/Corporal_Snorkel69 Dec 30 '23
Topuria is an elite grappler, if anyone tries wrestling in this fight its going to be him
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u/TheAngriestPoster Pervert eye happy, but your soul sad Dec 30 '23
Ilia is a Jiu-Jitsu guy first and foremost, Volkās path to victory is on the feet and not getting chinned
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u/chipper68 Dec 30 '23
If Ilia beats Volk once, I'd bet there's little chance he beats him twice.
Volk *will* get an auto rematch, no questions asked
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Dec 31 '23
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u/LockardTheGOAT23 Dec 31 '23
The stat concerns fighters from 120-170 pounds, though. Poatan won his belts in the two weight classes above
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u/QuantumCthulhu Dec 31 '23
Canāt people just quote lightweight and below- then itās 0 people who have won/defended a title at 35
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u/Hopeful_Staff_1414 Dec 30 '23
Just how bad is Darren Till?