What's up with all the chatter online completely writing off Max? Has no one watched Max fight? I've even seen analysts try to say Ilia will give Max similar problems that Volk gave him, but that take missed a big piece of the puzzle. Volk's output. Volk can go 5 rounds with a guy like Max throwing as much or more the entire time. Ilia stylistically is a much more patient fighter and I'm not calling his cardio into question, but his lower output can easily lead to him being quickly left behind on the scorecards. Not only that but his defense isn't as impenetrable as people think it is. By MMA standards it's great but he leaves his chin open almost everytime after throwing that right hand (look at the Mitchell fight it was especially egregious, he however tightened up a bit when fighting volk, and got dropped by Herbet right after he threw that right hand albeit that was a sneaky fucking kick). Volk was also having great success with his jab and Max being taller could also lend to that being the case for him. To be fair though Max isn't as fast is Volk, nor is he as fast as he used to be from what I've seen. Still there's an obvious path to victory for Max. Volume and not getting his legendary chin cracked for the first time ever when ilia inevitably does land that right hand. Specifically though I wouldn't be surprised if ilia got caught with a kick while leaning or level changing as he seems to do a lot. I also wouldn't be surprised if Max had success firing back if he can slip out of range of Ilias leaping right hand. I also think he may be able to keep it in kicking range a lot by utilizing the teep he was using on geathje.
knowing how Max fights I don't think any one of these things will be ingrained in his gameplan, but he has tools at his disposal that can give him big moments. If he can have good moments while also being more active he's just going to take this on the scorecards. If he can keep the fight standing most rounds and his chin can avoid father time..... Max is the favorite. Fuck I wouldn't be surprised if he absolutely dominates Ilia. Outside of the commentary team riding Ilia's dick about leg kicks for the first round or two. Without putting out a pace similar to Volk's the leg kicks just won't fucking matter on the scorecards here. Mark my words Max is going to have a lot more success than people expect early, probably eat some hard shots, and then pull away the longer the fight goes on. Ilia's record doesn't impress me that much outside of being the 2nd guy to find Volk's chin. This whole stylistic nightmare for Max take I see on Reddit is going to go up in flames.
