Career defining move for Ilia

[Sean Chowdhury]

Dana confirmed Ilia cannot make 145 anymore and is struggling with the weight cut so he's done permanently at 145. That means the rest of his career will be at 155, do you think this is a good move? He is like 5'6 and not the densest guy, I don't know if he will have the same potential he did at 145 where it seemed like no one could beat him and he could just rack up title defenses.

 

[joy2day]

He will be in better physical condition without the big weight cut.

I see a future where Islam is knocked out by Israel Illia.

 

[ThroughTheDakr]

The weight cuts were supposedly brutal for him so not much of a choice.

If theres anyone in that division who can beat zlam its Ilia

 

[El Fernas]

Shit move, i wouldnt think he is LW heavy, get him Poirier as welcome party.

 

[tritestill]

Said he will retire soon anyway, right? Not sure how soon or if it's just talk. He beats Islam and maybe Arman and probably retires tbh.

 

[tritestill]

Shit move, i wouldnt think he is LW heavy, get him Poirier as welcome party.

Yes, vacates belt to fight a guy who says he's on his retirement fight, great matchmaking...

 

[Sean Chowdhury]

He will be in better physical condition without the big weight cut.

I see a future where Islam is knocked out by Israel Illia.

wouldn't be surprised if he knocks out any of the top LWs but I can also see him getting kneed in the face by charles and backpacked, I don't trust his size for LW

 

[Paolo Delutis]

That's pathetic lol


This weight cutting shit is ruining the sport, imagine being a champion and have to give up ur belt because you " cant make the weight" ..


Lmfao... Embarrassing

 

[10000yearsold]

He’s too small for 155

 

[El Fernas]

Yes, vacates belt to fight a guy who says he's on his retirement fight, great matchmaking...

He has been saying it for years, went life and death against Islam Makhachev...and Topuria has no belt...beats Poirier with a bang, he is next, do you think he should fight the champ directly?

He vacated cause he cant make 145 anymore, or doesnt want to, its not a bad fight.

 

[Black9]

Could be worst move in UFC history if he loses first fight @ LW.

Gave up PPV points and double champ opportunity.

 

[svmr_db]

He’s too small for 155

 

[Domitian]

He has been saying it for years, went life and death against Islam Makhachev...and Topuria has no belt...beats Poirier with a bang, he is next, do you think he should fight the champ directly?

He vacated cause he cant make 145 anymore, or doesnt want to, its not a bad fight.

Islam doesn't have an opponent next so it makes sense. Arman is getting sent to the back of the line.

 

[El Fernas]

Is that guy still in the UFC? And Topuria was losing that fight, dropped in the 1st.

Islam doesn't have an opponent next so it makes sense. Arman is getting sent to the back of the line.

Needs a belt for the LW fight to be worthy, vacated it too early imho.

Probably gets the fight but most likely gets a top name first, hence Poirier.

 

[svmr_db]

Islam doesn't have an opponent next so it makes sense. Arman is getting sent to the back of the line.

Or there's a possibility they do Tsarukyan vs Topuria & the winner gets the shot at Islam. It makes a lot of sense. Not sure if they are going to let Topuria walk into a LW title fight when he's no longer the FW champion & hasn't beat any top LWs.

 

[Black9]

Not trying to overblow it, but if he loses at LW in his first fight especially if it's not Islam..

By vacating he lost champ PPV points, double champ status, undefeated record, and GOAT potential.

Thoughts?

 

[joey gerbils]

Topuria almost got KO'd in this fight. He ate a massive headkick like a pastrami sandwich and somehow recovered very quickly

 

[Substance Abuse]

If Islam beats Topuria all everyone is going to say is that he beat another bloated Featherweight and he needs to fight more Lightweights, lol.

Book it.

 

[10000yearsold]

I just don’t believe in flash ko artists. They’re always just a flash in the pan.

if he doesn’t get the KO early, he’s gonna have problems against guys with broader skill sets and better cardio.

I just can’t really think of a single explosive ko power guy that kept that hot streak going for more than a couple years in the ufc

 

[Domitian]

Or there's a possibility they do Tsarukyan vs Topuria & the winner gets the shot at Islam. It makes a lot of sense. Not sure if they are going to let Topuria walk into a LW title fight when he's no longer the FW champion & hasn't beat any top LWs.

For right now, Arman is cooked. Islam wants to stay active and Ilia is the best choice for PPV sales. It's like a perfect storm.