Jacob Volkmann works to trap Paulo Thiago - Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
An intriguing match-up of lightweight ground specialists appears to be taking shape for the UFC 146 card in Las Vegas on May 26th. According to ESPN UK, british submission wizard, Paul Sass, will take on Minnesota's own Jacob Volkmann:
Verbal agreements are in place for a lightweight match between England's undefeated submission specialist Paul Sass and Jacob Volkmann at UFC 146 in Las Vegas.
Both men are riding extensive winning streaks and although they can both be considered "ground specialists", their styles are quite different with Sass employing a relentless submission attack, and pulling guard repeatedly to ensnare opponents in his signature submissions: the triangle choke and the heel hook. Volkmann, on the other hand, is a methodical, grinding wrestler who dominates and smothers via position before attacking, usually with d'arce or rear naked chokes. Volkmann's style has been roundly criticized as boring, but his awkward post-fight interviews and public statements about President Obama have gotten him some attention, although not always the kind he wants, as he's now been suspended twice by the high school that employs him as a wrestling coach.
Paul Sass (12-0)
W Michael Johnson (submission - heel hook) - UFC on Versus 6
W Mark Holst (submission - triangle choke) - UFC 120
W Jason Young (submission - heel hook) - OMMAC 4
Jacob "Christmas" Volkmann (14-2)
W Efrain Escudero (unam. decision) - UFC 141
W Danny Castillo (unam. decision) - UFC on Versus 5
W Antonio McKee (split decision) - UFC 125
0 recs | 53 comments
You know what this fight does for me?
Nothing. Just like President Obama.
/Volkmannized
Earl Montclair - February 21, 2012
Could I perhaps interest you in a glassectomy good sir?
TMadeBurner - February 21, 2012
You know what I'm gonna do during the fight?
Sleep. Like Obama during his entire term.
/Volkmannized
Sugel Mendoza - February 21, 2012
beat me to it.
gspmademegay - February 21, 2012
Could Sass choke Volkmann
in a way that would permanently injure his vocal chords?
Warbreezy - February 21, 2012
YES!
Lauren J Darkbloom - February 21, 2012
A fella can dream!
Steve W - February 21, 2012 via mobile
I hope Volkmann gets the W.
I want to hear his post fight speech – they’re normally sooooo funny!
@KatanaClothing - February 21, 2012
Paul Sass is gonna choke the tact out of him
Krimson - February 21, 2012
what tact?
colonel panic - February 21, 2012
You're right
Choke the tact INTO him.
Krimson - February 21, 2012
Volkmann by 3 rd stiflef***ing a.k.a. lay n pray
lordrubbish - February 21, 2012
Are you kidding me?! Volkmann WARS!!
clayguidashair - February 22, 2012
straight up folk-style
lordrubbish - February 22, 2012
Sass by...
Sassangle…sassriously.
Worth - February 21, 2012
Unfortunately, fights between two ground specialists often end up being contested largely on the feet. This could be an ugly one.
simpsycho - February 21, 2012
Volkmann NEVER fights on his feet
It doesn’t matter what kind of fighter his opponent is, he’s just going to try and take them down.
crazedfan - February 21, 2012
Sass probably won't even defend the TD
More likely he’ll try to counter it by ending up on top or automatically attacking with subs. Volkmann will have his work cut out for him on the ground.
YPG - February 21, 2012
Still can't believe Volkman is on the longest winning streak in the UFC LW division
Our Bovine Public - February 21, 2012
Nine more and Dana says he's "in the mix" for a contender slot
…maybe
Dave Strummer - February 21, 2012
Jon Fitch will get 10 shots at the belt before Volkmann gets one
Earl Montclair - February 21, 2012
Yup. Dana's dislike for that dude is palpable
Dave Strummer - February 21, 2012
I wonder where it comes from
I mean, his nickname is “Christmas”. So charming. What could possibly be wrong with him?
KGNLuc - February 21, 2012
probably the fact that he looks, talks, and fights like mr. rogers
lordrubbish - February 21, 2012
Rogers had charm and didn’t spout off with nonsense in drab interviews.
probably had a more aggressive approach to finishing fights.
Victor Rodriguez - February 21, 2012
Was going to say something, but I think you mean strictly UFC wins
Notincluding any pre-UFC wins.
Even though Edgar has a draw…he’s on a 7 fight unbeaten streak, 6 fight win streak if you ignore the draw.
Chris Groves - February 21, 2012
WAR SASS
WAR ANYONE BUT VOLKMANN
Cunny - February 21, 2012
If you’re against Volkmann, you’re against everything this economy is supposed to be!
Did I do it right? /Volkmannized?
Krimson - February 21, 2012
No you're supposed bash Obama, liberals, democrats, etc.
Sugel Mendoza - February 21, 2012
I'd rather see Sass win
He’s quite a bit younger (23 vs 31 I think) and is undefeated, is a specialist at subs…and along with John Hathaway, is one of the few British fighters that doesn’t come off cocky.
Chris Groves - February 21, 2012
Name more than 3 British fighters that come off as cocky
Even if you name more, I’ll be able to name at least twice as much that don’t come off as cocky.
The “all British fighters are cocky” thing is a myth, simply because Bisping & Hardy are generally unpopular.
YPG - February 21, 2012
It’s a bit more of a generalization than a myth
Robert V-U - February 21, 2012
Well, I get the vibe from:
Michael Bisping
Dan Hardy
Paul Daley
Andre Winner
James Wilks
Ross Pearson(although not as much)
Brad Pickett
As far as non-cocky, I would say
John Hathaway
Paul Sass
Phil De Fries
Terry Etim(although I haven’t paid much attention to things he’s said)
But it also doesn’t help that a well known british boxer, David Haye…is also very cocky…doesn’t really help the overall ‘stigma’
Chris Groves - February 21, 2012
Oh yeah, James McSweeney was cocky as hell, too
Chris Groves - February 21, 2012
Pickett, Wilks, Pearson, Winner??
Sounds like you’re hating for the sake of hating.
YPG - February 21, 2012
It doesn’t look like that.
Picket’s said some arrogant things before, wilks and winner are both cocky,
pearson, not as much, but i could kinda see someone thinking that, but not really
Robert V-U - February 21, 2012
Bisping, Daley, Hardy, McSweeney
Without a doubt, 4…4 > 3
Chris Groves - February 21, 2012
Pearson seems like a good enough guy.
He became a lot more humble once he realized that winning TUF doesn’t automatically mean you’re a great fighter. A sad lessoned that has been learned by many.
LemonSqueeze - February 21, 2012
The line between cocky and confident is rather thin
But most of those guys aren’t exactly cocky fighters. Ross Pearson may be more humble than any other fighter out there so I find it strange to see anything remotely cocky about him. Thinking back, the only thing I could think of was his comments regarding his boxing > bj penns boxing. Maybe a little delirious, but not cocky.
MJB! - February 21, 2012 via mobile
That's exactly what came to mind when I put his name down
more of a cocky moment.
But even limiting it to Bisping, Hardy, Daley, and McSweeney…that’s 4, 4>3…I win.
Chris Groves - February 21, 2012
Oh, ok...
In that case, let’s not forget Che mills, Jason Young, John Maguire and Vaughn Lee. So now its 7>4. Victory is sweeeeeeet.
MJB! - February 22, 2012 via mobile
I was mostly referring to YPG's stipulations
“Name more than 3 British fighters that come off as cocky
Even if you name more, I’ll be able to name at least twice as much that don’t come off as cocky."
Chris Groves - February 22, 2012
What a generalisation...
Mind you, we believe that Americans are all fat, stupid and lazy, so I believe that it all balances out.
LYHL - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
What about Carl Froch? Tyson Fury? George Groves? Lennox Lewis and Calzaghe before they retired?
Do they come off as cocky? Ignoring the absolute disgrace that is Dereck Chisora, I don’t think that you can say that most British fighters (inc boxers) are cocky just because the ones that you have seen on T.V act like douches.
LYHL - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
Volkmann is boring as hell
I hope he gets his Sass kicked…..
SSreporters - February 21, 2012
Volkmann beats Sass rather easily imo
KJ Gould - February 21, 2012
this is very possible
Jacob may smother him enough to keep him from firing off subs
Earl Montclair - February 21, 2012
no
UK MMA MAN - February 21, 2012
I can see Volkmann employ his same strategy of takedown and smother on Sass.
chrisbboy82 - February 22, 2012
This is what's Paul Sass wil be doing after the fight
This needs no justification, as like life, death and taxes, the only things certain in life is a Paul Sass submission victory!!!!!
Never have I been so certain about a British winner!!!!!!!
not like those other rcent fights
UK MMA MAN - February 21, 2012
The Lightweight Jon Fitch v The British Shinya Aoki. If Volkmann wins he should spend some time calling out a top 10 opponent like Maynard or Guida, and just leave his comments about the President at home.
dpk875 - February 22, 2012
WAR SASS-ANGLE/HOOK
Jonathan. - February 22, 2012
Volkmann still gunning for the Guiness record for longest hug between two shirtless men.
Let the great man-hugging beeegiiiiiiiinn.
NickRingp4pGOAT - February 22, 2012
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