Hot take: If Topuria runs through Max (big if), he's a problem for Islam stylisticially

[MarioLemieux]

Islam is amazing but he's chinny and his top control is nowhere near Khabib. He struggled to keep Dustin and Volk down. Topuria is a very techincal striker with massive power and has much better grappling than Dustin.

I think Usman Nurmagamedov from Bellator (range and high level kicks to outpoint Illia from a distance) and Khabib would handle Topuria, but Islam may be in for a rough night.

 

[TITS]

Islam already lost to Volk, so it's possible.

 

[ejazahmednit]

Topuria has better grappling than Dustin? Does Ilia have more power than Dustin?
Literally zero evidence of either
On the other hand Islam has power and his grappling is perhaps the best in the division even after Khabib

 

[Rapa]

Topuria knocks fuck out of islam

 

[MarioLemieux]

Topuria has better grappling than Dustin? Does Ilia have more power than Dustin?
Literally zero evidence of either
On the other hand Islam has power and his grappling is perhaps the best in the division even after Khabib

Watch his fights with wrestlers like Bryce Mitchel. He's very good on the ground and is a Georgian trained wrestler himself. He also has good cardio. He's the full package. The real deal, and I still hope Max humbles him.

 

[Koala]

Topuria will not even be a top 5 fighter at 155
The guy was a BW at Cage Warriors and he tried 155 against Jai Herbert before going back to 145 as soon as possible
The only fight for him at 155 is against Paddy for the Hand Sanitizer Belt

 

[Bowel-forged Stool]

As much of a shill as this makes me, I wish they’d let Top fight Max at 155 for the 145lb belt, with the winner getting a crack at Islam.

Dat 155lb JG fight max was a true 155er

 

[MMAProfessional]

Topuria has better grappling than Dustin? Does Ilia have more power than Dustin?
Literally zero evidence of either
On the other hand Islam has power and his grappling is perhaps the best in the division even after Khabib

I think there's decent evidence of both. In the beginning of Topuria's career he was grapple heavy and knocks people dead which Porier mostly TKOs people. I don't think it's a crazy take to say that and Ilia doesn't really get taken down where we've seen Dustin struggle with that. The only reason why we don't see Ilia's grappling anymore is because of his striking.

 

[Fergelmince]

As much of a shill as this makes me, I wish they’d let Top fight Max at 155 for the 145lb belt, with the winner getting a crack at Islam.

Dat 155lb JG fight max was a true 155er

 

[ejazahmednit]

Watch his fights with wrestlers like Bryce Mitchel. He's very good on the ground and is a Georgian trained wrestler himself. He also has good cardio. He's the full package. The real deal, and I still hope Max humbles him.

I think there's decent evidence of both. In the beginning of Topuria's career he was grapple heavy and knocks people dead which Porier mostly TKOs people. I don't think it's a crazy take to say that and Ilia doesn't really get taken down where we've seen Dustin struggle with that. The only reason why we don't see Ilia's grappling anymore is because of his striking.

I am not saying he isn't good on the ground
He is an exceptionally talented fighter
My question is at a higher weight class where he will definitely be at a strength disadvantage vs Islam does his grappling hold up

 

[Pointy12-6Elbows]

Topuria will not even be a top 5 fighter at 155
The guy was a BW at Cage Warriors and he tried 155 against Jai Herbert before going back to 145 as soon as possible
The only fight for him at 155 is against Paddy for the Hand Sanitizer Belt

What happened against Jai Herbert?

Jai got absolutely fucking stiffened at 155.

Jai dieded.

That being said, Islam is massive for LW. Think he would outsize Topuria badly. Still would like to see them fight though! Who knows what could happen? Volk put in a good showing first time around…

Sherdog would be absolutely mental if Topuria beats Max and then Islam! That would be so funny!

 

[amok attitude]

I think there's decent evidence of both. In the beginning of Topuria's career he was grapple heavy and knocks people dead which Porier mostly TKOs people. I don't think it's a crazy take to say that and Ilia doesn't really get taken down where we've seen Dustin struggle with that. The only reason why we don't see Ilia's grappling anymore is because of his striking.

He is really undersized compared to Islam thats why most of us would favor the latter

 

[Substance Abuse]

Can a guy defend a title a handful of times before we call for him to go up a weight class? Got damn does the Heavies fucking stink lately.

 

[burningspear]

islam would decline the shoot out in the first 10 seconds too

 

[Rubios]

Sure.

Islam is the best current fighter in the UFC, and has improved a lot since Volk #1.

1. Ilia has not shown (yet?) to be near the same level Volk was circa his 1st fight vs Islam. The best FW ever, for some (Aldo IMO, but it's debatable if THAT version of Volk -Max #3, Yair- was better).
Yes, he KO'ed Volk and all that, I know, I know. Still.

2. Islam is chinny? Because of that loss like 10 years ago? He was banging with Dustin and actually outstriking him.

3. Islam is 3" taller, has a reach edge (unlike vs Volk, who is built like an ape) and is much stronger.

It's a mismatch and not going to happen because UFC knows once/if Islam beats Arman, his business is moving up.

It's MMA, everything can happen and nothing's for granted, but if Arman is not that dude, there's no legit challenger for Islam @ 155.
Let alone at 145.

 

[Rubios]

Sherdog would be absolutely mental if Topuria beats Max and then Islam! That would be so funny!

And Alex, afterwards.

 

[burningspear]

Sure.

Islam is the best current fighter in the UFC, and has improved a lot since Volk #1.

1. Ilia has not shown (yet?) to be near the same level Volk was circa his 1st fight vs Islam. The best FW ever, for some (Aldo IMO, but it's debatable if THAT version of Volk -Max #3, Yair- was better).
Yes, he KO'ed Volk and all that, I know, I know. Still.

2. Islam is chinny? Because of that loss like 10 years ago? He was banging with Dustin and actually outstriking him.

3. Islam is 3" taller, has a reach edge (unlike vs Volk, who is built like an ape) and is much stronger.

It's a mismatch and not going to happen because UFC knows once/if Islam beats Arman, his business is moving up.

It's MMA, everything can happen and nothing's for granted, but if Arman is not that dude, there's no legit challenger for Islam @ 155.
Let alone at 145.

You are still trying to downplay your countryman, its strange how that works, kind of envy induced anti bias?

 

[Greyscale]

Many scumbags banked on facing people from lower weight classes and it backfired many times before like with Emelianenko vs. Hendo.

I think if Makhachev doesn't break his master's pull out record he's gonna get humiliated by Topuria and be allergic to FWs till he pulls out into oblivion.

 

[NoSmilez]

Islam washes Topuria in the Middle East.

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

Watch his fights with wrestlers like Bryce Mitchel. He's very good on the ground and is a Georgian trained wrestler himself. He also has good cardio. He's the full package. The real deal, and I still hope Max humbles him.

Yes, top-level athlete and proven elite wrestler Bryce Mitchell….lol

Bryce is an average athlete, BJJ guy, still took down Topuria and even somehow hurt him with a body shot while taking an ass beating.

Islam is like 20+ lbs heavier, a brick shit house of muscle, and a super elite wrestler-grappler.

Could Topuria KO Islam if he fought stupid? Of course, but Islam would have a massive size advantage in weight/height/reach and a significant wresting/grappling advantage.

Let’s not sniff Topuria’s farts too much, he’s a great fighter that has never defended and isn’t proven as an elite wrestler in MMA (mostly man-handled small and weak BJJ guys like Ryan Hall and Bryce). He’s an incredibly dangerous pressure boxer that does have good wrestling and BJJ, but he still has a ton to prove before even considering something like moving up a weight class.