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

[jeff7b9]

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.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

Forget Arman.... It should be Justin vs Conor at the circus White House....

 

[jeff7b9]

Forget Arman.... It should be Justin vs Conor at the circus White House....

I heard someone actually mention this fight idea in one of the many many videos I have watched in the last 14 hours.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

I heard someone actually mention this fight idea in one of the many many videos I have watched in the last 14 hours.

Now they have their American Champ vs the biggest star in the sport ... in basically a give-me fight...

Spoiler

Main Event will end up being Harrison vs Nunes .

 

[bobafett]

Very possibly, I think they really want ilia vs Islam before either gets out of the sport. And to be honest I’d much rather see that than see Marty get another ts. I also selfishly want Gaethje to hold an undisputed belt before he retires

 

[JoeRowe]

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.

Justin's chance vs Ilia, is to rediscover his leg kicking game. Ilia struggled to check any vs Volk, Max, & Charles. Obviously Gaethje will have to worry about the straight-right counter, but if he can compromise(for real not Joe Rogan's idea of compromised) Ilia's calf and take away his power maybe he can find a finish.

Definitely a loong shot but its plausible. Gonna need to give Ilia drop-foot for sure because inside the pocket he'll get smoked.

I wouldn't hate Islam vs Ilia if Islam vacates. WW already has 3 worthy title challengers and it can't afford to get even more logjammed.

I think the UFC should finally open up 165(Super-Lightweight) & move WW to 175.

They can book:
-Shavkat vs Morales for vacant WW(175) title
-Islam vs Ilia for the Inaugural SLW title, & first ever 3-Division Champion
-Arman vs Justin for the LW title

 

[Dimbis]

Now they have their American Champ vs the biggest star in the sport ... in basically a give-me fight...

Spoiler

Main Event will end up being Harrison vs Nunes .

I don’t know if Conor would cut to 155 again though.

 

[Paolo Delutis]

Post first UFC event of 2026 nut in full effect....

I think I've seen like 30 conspiracy theory threads come out since the event lol.


In my opinion...Arman should have to fight a #1 contender fight after fucking up that entire title shot last time... he's owned Nothing.. you dont beat dan hooker in 2025 and get a title shot...

If they do this fight , i wouldn't call it bullshit as all fighters ranked 1 thru 5 have a "shot" at the belt...but i dont think it would be the most deserving shot to give...

Illia vs Justin makes more sense...unless of course Spanish McGregor has more court cases or wants to vacate another belt with no defenses and then claim he's a GOAT..


You have Max and Oliveira fighting in March...that has title contendership on it as well as a back story with Holloway vs Topuria 1...If Max beats Charles...i could see them doing Max vs Topuria 2 before Arman who will likely seat and wait/cry from his private Jet

 

[Neck&Neck]

Toppy needs to forget about Islam now that he’s at WW, dude has an unhealthy obsession with wanting to fight that guy
Paddy and Arman need to have an eating contest, DC can ref it

 

[Steve Fox]

My bet is on a gimmick Trump Championship belt.
Not really expecting anything landscape wise changing at the WH.

 

[Cowboy Kurt Angle]

 

[Bobby Boulders]

Always appreciate when people reference cousins of mine. We're a talented bunch

 

[jeff7b9]

Always appreciate when people reference cousins of mine. We're a talented bunch

That album was one of my favorites around the time I got my drivers license.
Lots of great tunes. Fly Like An Eagle being my favorite

I got to see Steve Miller Band in an outdoor show in 1996 or 1997. Great show. Music was beautiful and the vibe/mood in the crowd were perfect as well.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

That album was one of my favorites around the time I got my drivers license.
Lots of great tunes. Fly Like An Eagle being my favorite

I got to see Steve Miller Band in an outdoor show in 1996 or 1997. Great show. Music was beautiful and the vibe/mood in the crowd were perfect as well.

His outlook is much different than my own. I'm a glass half empty guy, he's a glass half full guy. I've listened to him more and more over the last couple of years, bc I wanna be hopeful.

 

[ExitLUPin]

This was peculiar phrasing from Arman...

 

[RockyLockridge]

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"

with out the incentive of ppv sales, Why priortize this is the real question

 

[jeff7b9]

This was peculiar phrasing from Arman...

Justin specifically mentioned that he was expecting to fight for undisputed belt at the white house card in June ... and that if Ilia was not ready he would be stripped.

I could be projecting here but it felt like he was saying that as though this had been discussed as part of a meeting/contract signing/etc.

 

[jeff7b9]

with out the incentive of ppv sales, Why priortize this is the real question

Ad revenue?
Sponsor revenue?

Possibly incentive based pay structures with any income stream.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Ad revenue?
Sponsor revenue?

Possibly incentive based pay structures with any income stream.

I'd love for it to happen. I would LOVE to see gaethje hold the offical undisputed title for all he's given to this sport. much like you Gaethje and Jiri are always going to be in my top 5 (along with my baby Joanna)

He deserves every rub he's ever been given. He's never fought an unranked opponent in his entire ufc career.

 

[jeff7b9]

I'd love for it to happen. I would LOVE to see gaethje hold the offical undisputed title for all he's given to this sport. much like you Gaethje and Jiri are always going to be in my top 5 (along with my baby Joanna)

He deserves every rub he's ever been given. He's never fought an unranked opponent in his entire ufc career.

Justin has gone out and went to war for our entertainment with more ferocity that just about any fighter ever.


Few noticed, but Justin in a time which, had he lost (a fight in which he was a 2-1 underdog) likely would have been his very last time as the focal point of the entire MMA media ...used his platform to speak up for fighter pay, and a day later (may or may not be related via causality) the UFC announced they were doubling the bonuses which had sat stagnant at 50k Since 2006... 20 years.

In what could have been his last hoorah, he fought for the fighters.

I understand why some folks don't like him... but man... it has been an absolute pleasure watching his fights.