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Media Dana: "OTHER Possibilities" W/ Ilia Topuria THAN Fight vs Islam

They should do Islam vs Arman at 316 which is rumoured to be June in Newark New Jersey, then at 317 international fight week June 28th Ilia can fight Dustin for his retirement fight. Oliveira should rematch Holloway for the BMF belt around June-July too. The winner of Islam-Arman fights the winner of Ilia-Dustin(assuming it's Ilia)
 
Does everyone agree that there are really only reasonable opponents for Islam next at 155?

Charles
Arman
Ilia

Can we all agree on that at least?

So...figure it out from there. These 4 should fight each other in some sort of mini tournament...that seems pretty obvious. (Unless Islam really just wants one more 155 title defense then move up--but let's assume he's staying for at least 2 more fights).

Islam vs Charles and Ilia vs Arman

The Ilia/Arman fight is fire, but will there be the interest wanted for Charles getting a rematch after Islam so easily got him last time?

Ilia vs Islam and Charles vs Arman

So the title fight is awesome in this scenario, but now we have Arman and Charles already fighting each other again?

Arman vs Islam and Charles vs Ilia

This one probably makes the most sense, but Dana already said Arman isn't next up after the last minute pull out.

So...no perfect scenarios. Every one has good aspects and challenges. Just pick one and get it going.
I’m on record saying that Islam should insist on fighting Arman, it’s the only fight that makes sense for him. Beating the legit #1 LW contender would be unassailable on his resume. As much as the fans/media insist that Topuria would be good for Islam’s resume, no, it won’t. If Islam beats topuria he’ll be relegated to “just another FW.” Ilia’s aura will be forgotten in time and the only things fans will say is Islam has 3 defenses against FWs, and they’ll use that to trash his legacy.
 
I’m on record saying that Islam should insist on fighting Arman, it’s the only fight that makes sense for him. Beating the legit #1 LW contender would be unassailable on his resume. As much as the fans/media insist that Topuria would be good for Islam’s resume, no, it won’t. If Islam beats topuria he’ll be relegated to “just another FW.” Ilia’s aura will be forgotten in time and the only things fans will say is Islam has 3 defenses against FWs, and they’ll use that to trash his legacy.

I don't really concern myself with "what will the haters say!!!???"

I want the best and most deserving matchups. I'm not rooting for a specific fighter's legacy. I want the best fights. I think there's a sizeable dropoff after Arman/Charles/Ilia. If someone wants to say "OMG Islam beat another FW" if it's Ilia...honestly...f 'em.
Volk gave Islam a helluva fight the first time. Ilia wrecked Volk. Max styled on and KO'd Gaethje at 155 and then dropped down and Ilia became the first not only to hurt Max with strikes but to put him away. Ilia ABSOLUTELY belongs in that small group of worthy challengers.

Personally, I dont care which of the 3 is next. I'd be a little less excited for Charles since we saw that fairly recently and Islam ran through him. But after Arman's last minute pull out (and the fact Charles/Arman was essentially a coin toss decision) I'd understand if it was Charles. Or Arman. Or Ilia. Just NOT anyone else.
 
For all the people saying Conor:
A) He's retired
B) He's beyond washed
C) Illia has said he won't fight a rapist
D) Conor deserves to rot, not collect a fight purse
 
Oddsmakers are giving Ilia a better chance at beating Islam than any other LW in the division. Book it.
 
I personally am thinking Charles vs Islam in May/June. And Arman vs Ilia sounds good.

Islam should be fighting soon since his last fight was a gimme. He is clearly not fighting Belal since he's booked vs JDM in May. Islam is clearly not fighting Arman since the UFC is making him fight again and he's clearly not fighting Ilia since the UFC wants him to fight a contender. All I see is Olivera left.

Gonna waste maybe the last LW fight for Islam on a Charles rematch? I love Charles but I dont need to see that again. and then having Topuria/Arman fight and knock one of them off isnt good for the div either.

gonna end up Islam winning, leaving and Topuria/Arman lost and now its one of them fighting who for the vacant title? No thanks.
 
I don't really concern myself with "what will the haters say!!!???"

I want the best and most deserving matchups. I'm not rooting for a specific fighter's legacy. I want the best fights. I think there's a sizeable dropoff after Arman/Charles/Ilia. If someone wants to say "OMG Islam beat another FW" if it's Ilia...honestly...f 'em.
Volk gave Islam a helluva fight the first time. Ilia wrecked Volk. Max styled on and KO'd Gaethje at 155 and then dropped down and Ilia became the first not only to hurt Max with strikes but to put him away. Ilia ABSOLUTELY belongs in that small group of worthy challengers.

Personally, I dont care which of the 3 is next. I'd be a little less excited for Charles since we saw that fairly recently and Islam ran through him. But after Arman's last minute pull out (and the fact Charles/Arman was essentially a coin toss decision) I'd understand if it was Charles. Or Arman. Or Ilia. Just NOT anyone else.
We’re trying to figure out what’s the most likely matchup and Islam’s team is gonna have a say in it, and im just reflecting what I think will be their objections. They’ve now said on multiple occasions that ilia needs a win at LW first. Judging by Dana’s comments I don’t think he’ll die on the hill of giving Ilia and immediate title shot. Arman is really the only guy that makes sense when you put all the pieces together.
 
We’re trying to figure out what’s the most likely matchup and Islam’s team is gonna have a say in it, and im just reflecting what I think will be their objections. They’ve now said on multiple occasions that ilia needs a win at LW first. Judging by Dana’s comments I don’t think he’ll die on the hill of giving Ilia and immediate title shot. Arman is really the only guy that makes sense when you put all the pieces together.

I don't think we're necessarily arguing the same thing. You're (partially) looking at it from the perspective of Islam and his camp. Which is fine. You're a fan of his, on some level what he wants and his legacy matter to you. So how you view it through that prism...sure. They don't want Ilia next, and if the UFC caters to that as a business decision, good by me as an impartial fan that just wants to see the best fights. As long as it's Arman or Charles instead.

For those of us with my perspective (not necessarily fans of any of this group over the other--but want the best fights) I don't think there will be much to object to as long as it's one of the 3 mentioned. There's a case for and against all 3 of them. That's all I'm saying.
 
"Topuria voluntarily vacated the featherweight title, but also, his body can’t make featherweight anymore."

<{walkerwhut}>
 
Then Mak needs to fight 1 fight at ww to show he deserves his shot.
 
Why? Topuria would be Makhachev's third title defense against a guy moving up in weight.
Because he is saying Top needs to prove himself worthy at lw to fight him. Okay cool if that's your philosophy then live by it yourself.


Top v Mak is one of biggest fights to be made out there far bigger than any other current lw he can fight. He wants to say he doesn't want fight fight because Top doesn't deserve it ......... fine then live by your own words!
 
Because he is saying Top needs to prove himself worthy at lw to fight him. Okay cool if that's your philosophy then live by it yourself.
That philosophy isn't something he follows, considering what I just stated—the fact that he's already defended against a featherweight in the past.

Makhachev's take reads more like Topuria isn't as accomplished as a champion with just one title defense, unlike Volkanovski, who had four title defenses and was ranked higher in the pound-for-pound rankings at the time.
 
I don't think we're necessarily arguing the same thing. You're (partially) looking at it from the perspective of Islam and his camp. Which is fine. You're a fan of his, on some level what he wants and his legacy matter to you. So how you view it through that prism...sure. They don't want Ilia next, and if the UFC caters to that as a business decision, good by me as an impartial fan that just wants to see the best fights. As long as it's Arman or Charles instead.

For those of us with my perspective (not necessarily fans of any of this group over the other--but want the best fights) I don't think there will be much to object to as long as it's one of the 3 mentioned. There's a case for and against all 3 of them. That's all I'm saying.
Trust me I wouldn’t mind seeing islam vs ilia as a sporting contest, that’s about as high level a matchup as you could ask for in mma. But as a fan of Islam I don’t like what that means for his resume and I’m assuming they feel the same, but I won’t complain if they make that fight!
 
Then Mak needs to fight 1 fight at ww to show he deserves his shot.
Mak is the P4P #1 fighter in the world and is a long reigning LW champ, he should be allowed to choose to move up and get an immediate match because of his status and the fact that he’ll be going up against a lower status champ. That same dynamic doesn’t apply to ilia. He’s lower status to islam and has only defended his belt once. Apples to oranges.
 
I think it is fair that Ilia has to fight couple of other guys

Islam though you have to give him credit he went short notice last event, he sacrificed his belt twice for 145 champion

He doesn't care who's in front of him he just destroys them
 
I think it is fair that Ilia has to fight couple of other guys

Islam though you have to give him credit he went short notice last event, he sacrificed his belt twice for 145 champion

He doesn't care who's in front of him he just destroys them
Islam is risking his LW title and his #1 p4p title to win another “he beat a FW” narrative. What is ilia risking to win both? I’d say it’s not much to ask him to beat a contender first to solidify that he’s not “just another FW”.
 
Ilia vs Arman is the fight, man I hope they make this on Tuesday! Much better than Islam vs Ilia as it does not work like that considering Ilia defended once at FW. Arman has already fought Islam, Charles, Dariush and Gamrot and they still are not willing to give him an Islam rematch because he missed weight which Charles did and Charles pulled out of the Islam rematch. Ilia can go fuck himself or fight Arman.
 
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