Does Arman know something? Does Justin know something? I have a hunch they might.

[Thy]

I'm done with mma, going back to collecting stamps. More exciting.

 

[El Fernas]

Give it some time and they might strip Topuria.

 

[El Fernas]

This was peculiar phrasing from Arman...

Thing is, fight is Gaethje vs Topuria, unless stripping comes and then yeah, fight most likely is happening, LW isnt exactly filled with contenders.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

I could see Ilia taking a matchup against Justin and then sitting on the sidelines until Islam fights Usman or whoever

 

[Tokoloko]

Justin and Arman both said some interesting things.

Arman I think the video was just a standard "UFC post event interview" buy he said he thinks it might be:

Justin defend vs Arman for LW undisputed

Islam defend vs Ilia for WW undisputed


A couple reasons I could see this happening.


Thing 1-
we just watched #5 LW vs #6 LW and they put a belt on the winner.
So... lets.not pretend that merit or fair or "deserves" have any sway in this discussion.

Thing 2-
Money.
Also known as "because money"
For example:
Q: Why?
A: Because money


The UFC brass just watched the money fight they were VERY clearly trying to set up with Paddy and Ilia blow up in a poof of scouser blood and snot.

The options for big deal super fight type fights are limited right now and risking another one falling out because a guy loses; gets injured or sits out or gets divorced or whatever... like Steve Miller said " go on; take the money and run"



And while I personally love the idea of Michael Morales vs Islam, I think he is potentially a quite dangerous opponent for Islam... and he just defeated #1 or #2 or whatever Brady was ranked, and he did it with ease and in spectacular, you could even say flamboyant fashion...
But I would refer you back to Thing 1

I love Justin Gaethje.
I have Justin Gaethje and Jiri as my current most favorite fighters, with Gaethje having been in that seat for not quite a decade but pretty close.

I don't see ANYONE who gives him a chance vs Ilia.
If you disagree, by all means, state your case... but I think that fight is a hard fight to sell.

Gaethje gets promoted to undisputed.

Ilia vacates to move up (again)

Gaethje becomes the great white hope in a defense against Arman, likely at the white house... where he most likely passes the torch and puts Arman over.

Islam vs Ilia is HUGE

If Islam wins Ilia comes back down to challenge Arman.




That may sound like a lot of moving pieces but it is the path I see for which UFC / Paramount brass type people will see the most dollar signs.

Nothing is finalized, but there are reportedly 4 title fights in works...with names on table.

 

[ejazahmednit]

Depending on how long Ilia stays out, it should be Arman vs Gaethje for the undisputed title.
Ilia gets first dibs when he comes back

 

[orca]

shame on people here who wanted to see a fighter who has 0 title defenses picking title fights
but critisize others who has more than 5 title defenses
lmfao

 

[Killer Kadoogan]

no ranking system = perpetual bullshit match ups forever.

where are those that realize this already???