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

[Tweak896]

Some reason everyone overlooks Topurias wrestling when that's his main base. I wouldn't be surprised if he had better tdd than volk, Dustin, and Olivera. If he kept it standing, he probably would outwork Islam. Easier said than done. But he has the tools to make it happen more than Islam's recent opponents.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

Not quite sure how beating one of the best punching fighters proves you're a stylistic problem for one of the best wrestling fighters.

 

[Poirierfan]

I think Ilia will run straight through Max. I also think he beats Islam.

Come at me!!!!!

 

[Poirierfan]

Not quite sure how beating one of the best punching fighters proves you're a stylistic problem for one of the best wrestling fighters.

Well, Ilia is better at grappling than he is striking imo, and he's elite at both.

 

[StonedLemur]

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

The minute and a half he won of the 5th round doesn't negate the rounds that Islam won tbf sir.

Close fight, yes...a moral victory...sure, but definitely not a win.

 

[Hog-train]

Sorry nah. Ilya is a manlet.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

Well, Ilia is better at grappling than he is striking imo, and he's elite at both.

Oh no doubt, but just saying that beating Max isn't the litmus test for that

 

[StonedLemur]

I think Ilia will run straight through Max. I also think he beats Islam.

Come at me!!!!!

 

[Poirierfan]

Some reason everyone overlooks Topurias wrestling when that's his main base. I wouldn't be surprised if he had better tdd than volk, Dustin, and Olivera. If he kept it standing, he probably would outwork Islam. Easier said than done. But he has the tools to make it happen more than Islam's recent opponents.

There's no doubt in my mind that Topuria has better tdd than all you listed, that's his base. Actually I think he started training mma when he was like 9 years old or close to that age. He's actually one of the new breed.

 

[Tweak896]

There's no doubt in my mind that Topuria has better tdd than all you listed, that's his base. Actually I think he starts training mma when he was like 9 years old or close to that age. He's really one of the new breed.

People don't like his shit talking, whatever, but its strange people overlook his skills to justify their hate. If he beats Max and Volk back to back, what else can people say?

 

[Poirierfan]

People don't like his shit talking, whatever, but its strange people overlook his skills to justify their hate. If he beats Max and Volk back to back, what else can people say?

That shit don't bother me. People will always find there petty reasons to hate.

Ilia doesn't put on an act and doesn't shy away from speaking his mind. I can respect someone that's real like that. Dude is already a huge star across the pond. If he stops Max he's gonna really blow up then. With his skills he could easily become the UFC's biggest star imo.

I think he stops Max in the 2nd or 3rd. Max is older and that weight cut is gonna soften that chin just enough imo. I wanted Max to stay at at 155, I wish he would've.

 

[NicholasJBasile]

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.

I tend to agree -- Illia's wrestling and ground game is probably just as good as his striking. He'd be big trouble for Islam if they fought.

 

[Tweak896]

That shit don't bother me. People will always find there petty reasons to hate.

Ilia doesn't put on an act and doesn't shy away from speaking his mind. I can respect someone that's real like that. Dude is already a huge star across the pond. If he stops Max he's gonna really blow up then. With his skills he could easily become the UFC's biggest star imo.

I think he stops Max in the 2nd or 3rd. Max is older and that weight cut is gonna soften that chin just enough imo. I wish Max would a stayed at 155.

Max is a huge FW and pretty much has his legacy sealed there. That's a good point. Topuria is just that guy right now entering his prime while all the names are 10+ years into the game already.

 

[SkinnyClaw]

With those hands and the speed he is dangerous, I don't think the Max fight changes that in any way. Islam always had a weak chin. The smaller quicker guy is often the hardest to fight

 

[fortheo]

Islam washes Topuria in the Middle East.

What about midwest, like in Kansas or something?

 

[Noraaq]

Most definitely. Volk was landing clean shots on Islam and his power is nothing like Topuria.

 

[NoSmilez]

What about midwest, like in Kansas or something?

He gets a debuff. Islam doesn't get the beard +2 to all stats outside of the Middle East.

All joking aside he fights like shit for championship fights outside of the UAE. He did great for non title fights in the US during the pandemic but that was in the Apex.

 

[fortheo]

He gets a debuff. Islam doesn't get the beard +2 to all stats outside of the Middle East.

All joking aside he fights like shit for championship fights outside of the UAE. He did great for non title fights in the US during the pandemic but that was in the Apex.

In the apex while he had a full camp and Dan hooker and bobby green didn't, much like volk didn't in the rematch. I think islam just isn't head and shoulders ahead the rest of the division the way Khabib was. Islam does prefer fighting in abu dhabi, though. He's said so himself.

 

[Johnnny]

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.

The size difference would be ridiculous. Islam is on the bigger size for welterweight. He does a death cut to lightweight. The fight would almost certainly take place in Abu Dhabi, so Islam wouldn't have to cut all the way down to 155, far from it. Topuria is a 5'6" manlet. In the cage, they will look 2-3 weight classes apart.

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.

Usman Nurmagomedov tested positive for PEDs, just like Islam has. Their team is notorious for PED use thanks to the omnipotent state-sponsored doping program.

 

[The Siege]

He gets a debuff. Islam doesn't get the beard +2 to all stats outside of the Middle East.

All joking aside he fights like shit for championship fights outside of the UAE. He did great for non title fights in the US during the pandemic but that was in the Apex.

That's a pretty small sample size

Basically, Champ fights in UAE were Charles and late notice Volk. The Charles fight was super impressive, he buzz sawed him, but the short notice Volk doesn't really prove anything. Volk rushed back from surgery and coming off the couch, any top 10 LW would have beaten him that night unfortunately.

And I'll be honest, we might have different definitions of "fights like shit" lmao you mean he outstruck and out wrestled Volk who at the time was well rested and had been bulking for LW for 8 months? And he outstruck and out wrestled and ultimately finished a Top 5 LW in Dustin, who is not the Dustin of old, yes, but is not some bum either. I thought they were elite performances against elite competition.