How would Dustin VS Illia play out?

[rollthedice]

In light of Dustin VS Holloway coming up, hypothetically, if Dustin gets an impressive finish and feels amazing in there, do you think he pushes for one more title fight against the winner of Illia VS Paddy? ranking wise it would be more acceptable than Illia vs Paddy. Stylistically their boxing would be a treat to watch against each other.

I could see it happening if Justin doesn't get his wish and gets punished for his threat of retiring if he actually doesn't follow through with it. If Paddy gets the next title shot which seems all but guranteed. Maybe they make Justin VS Armen as #1 contender, as Justin rubbed Dana the wrong way recently and Armen, well he goofed his last shot by missing weight. Armen needs to prove he can make 155lb again before a title shot, he's a proven liability where as Dustin is the exact opposite and a loved company man, one more guranteed big pay day and if he becomes champ then obviously a few more, but I don't see any downside with him having one last crack at the title. Hell if he losses, Illia's last 5 wins would be, Volk, Holloway, Olivera, Paddy, Poirier, and if he finishes them all, the way he has been, just imagine the aura

With Paddy all but guranteed next in line, with Islam moving up, Armen needing to prove he can make weight, Justin threatening retirement if he doesn't get the next shot and hearing Dana's response doesn't give me faith he will get the next shot if he decides to weight. It leaves Max and Dustin next in ranking. Max obviously recently losing to Illia probably won't get the next shot with a win, but what about Dustin? does he seriously sail of into the sunset with a bottle of hot sauce and a wife even hotter? Or does he pitch his shot for one last hoorah?

 

[FreddieRoachsVoice]

I would hope Dustin gets flatlined if that happens. He had a great career but he has WAY overstayed his welcome and I am sick of seeing his name on cards at this point.

The guy's 0-3 in title fights (0-4 if you count that BMF joke), has had 6 REMATCHES in recent years, and would be riding a whopping 1 fight win streak against a guy he'd have now beaten THREE TIMES... who would be the co-main event on that card? Cain vs Bigfoot Silva??

Nah, Dustin can GTFO win or lose against Holloway. I'd rather he avenge his loss and take Michael Johnson out of the UFC on this card than have everyone's time wasted with yet another pointless fight with Max. 2 top 5 ranked fighters do not need to be tied up in a pointless fight with zero title implications in a main event... LW and FW are too starved for new talent for this BS.

 

[AmonTobin]

I would take a Poirier-Topuria fight over a Dustin-Max 3 any day but obviously he hasn’t earned another title shot and he’d be far too slow at this point. Peak Dustin Poirier would’ve been a great matchup.

 

[rollthedice]

I would hope Dustin gets flatlined if that happens. He had a great career but he has WAY overstayed his welcome and I am sick of seeing his name on cards at this point.

The guy's 0-3 in title fights (0-4 if you count that BMF joke), has had 6 REMATCHES in recent years, and would be riding a whopping 1 fight win streak against a guy he'd have now beaten THREE TIMES... who would be the co-main event on that card? Cain vs Bigfoot Silva??

Nah, Dustin can GTFO win or lose against Holloway. I'd rather he avenge his loss and take Michael Johnson out of the UFC on this card than have everyone's time wasted with yet another pointless fight with Max. 2 top 5 ranked fighters do not need to be tied up in a pointless fight with zero title implications in a main event... LW and FW are too starved for new talent for this BS.

While I would agree with you if the old dogs were avoiding the new dogs, but every time the new dog attempts to get into that top 10 such as BSD, Fiziev, Moicano, Dariush, Gamrot, they get denied by Justin, Dustin, Hooker, Olivera and Armen. Those same guys recycle abit in the top 10 because they're a league above the rest even at their age. Joel Alvarez and Grant Dawson may have a chance however like most of that new wave like Bahamondes, Jalin Turner and Ludovit Klein who were on great streaks and looked promising have recently found out the hard way that that the top 15 isn't as easy as you make it out to be for the 'new talent'.

 

[rollthedice]

I would take a Poirier-Topuria fight over a Dustin-Max 3 any day but obviously he hasn’t earned another title shot and he’d be far too slow at this point. Peak Dustin Poirier would’ve been a great matchup.

To be fair, he looked good in his last 2 fights and if he gets a finish against Max, the fight sells itself. Illia got a crack at the LW title with a win over Max, it's not out of this world to think Dustin can do the same is it?

 

[GordoBarraBJJ]

At this point Ilia tko in the 4th

 

[fortheo]

I'd watch it. I'd be curious to see ilia against a skilled southpaw.

 

[ThaiSexPills]

I have a hard time believing another striker is how to beat Ilia. Dustin is good but i think it’ll take someone like Islam to do it

 

[Rear Naked Toke]

I would hope Dustin gets flatlined if that happens. He had a great career but he has WAY overstayed his welcome and I am sick of seeing his name on cards at this point.

The guy's 0-3 in title fights (0-4 if you count that BMF joke), has had 6 REMATCHES in recent years, and would be riding a whopping 1 fight win streak against a guy he'd have now beaten THREE TIMES... who would be the co-main event on that card? Cain vs Bigfoot Silva??

Nah, Dustin can GTFO win or lose against Holloway. I'd rather he avenge his loss and take Michael Johnson out of the UFC on this card than have everyone's time wasted with yet another pointless fight with Max. 2 top 5 ranked fighters do not need to be tied up in a pointless fight with zero title implications in a main event... LW and FW are too starved for new talent for this BS.

Dustin is one of the best of all time, so is Max. And they both got started around the same time.

If you're complaining that Dustin vs Max is holding up the division, I don't think you understand what you're actually saying about those two fighters.

 

[KAZSoliloquy]

i legitimately can't think of anything dustin brings to the table that ilia hasn't run through a better version of.

 

[Rear Naked Toke]

To be fair, he looked good in his last 2 fights and if he gets a finish against Max, the fight sells itself. Illia got a crack at the LW title with a win over Max, it's not out of this world to think Dustin can do the same is it?

It's crazy to see people complaining about Dustin and Max as if they're not two of the best fighters in the history of MMA, and/or blaming them for holding back other fighters in their divisions.

"Bro, get out of the way so the fighter I'm hugging nuts on right now can get a chance at the title."

 

[Aurelian]

i legitimately can't think of anything dustin brings to the table that ilia hasn't run through a better version of.

You can argue Max is a better boxer, or Volk even, but Dustin is bigger and hits harder than both of them. He's also arguably the best boxer in the division behind Ilia.

 

[Aurelian]

@Poirierfan Hey what's your thoughts on how this fight plays out if it was booked

 

[FreddieRoachsVoice]

While I would agree with you if the old dogs were avoiding the new dogs, but every time the new dog attempts to get into that top 10 such as BSD, Fiziev, Moicano, Dariush, Gamrot, they get denied by Justin, Dustin, Hooker, Olivera and Armen. Those same guys recycle abit in the top 10 because they're a league above the rest even at their age. Joel Alvarez and Grant Dawson may have a chance however like most of that new wave like Bahamondes, Jalin Turner and Ludovit Klein who were on great streaks and looked promising have recently found out the hard way that that the top 15 isn't as easy as you make it out to be for the 'new talent'.

Genuine LMFAO @ including Hooker in this. Hooker is not a league above Mac Danzig let alone anyone relevant.

Poirier faced 1 up and comer in the last decade so that's a total lie. He's barely done anything since his fights with Conor FFS.... take a second to acknowledge just how much time has passed since he was actually on a streak and you'll realize how insulting it is that OP suggested he could get ANOTHER shot. That would be 3 title shots coming off 1 win in a row and 5 TOTAL... even Urijah Faber would scoff at that level of favoritism.

Gaethje has only beaten Fiziev in 2 close decisions so it is also false to suggest he has been actively fighting and knocking down potential prospects. Hey... at least he beat Poirier in their rematch but what else has he done in the last 5 years except lose gifted title shots? Just like Poirier, he has the 1 sloppy seconds win over Chandler (who is now 1-5 in his last 6) separating him from now ancient wins over retired stars... both are clogging up the division with their cherry picking opponents and repeated title shots. People hate to admit it because they're much more likeable/exciting but there really isn't that much separating their behavior from Colby Covington's.

Arman really hasn't done much of anything yet and is far from some proven entity. He was one of only 2 people ever who decisioned Charles (who has been stopped 9 times including 2 recent ones) and he's playing suit with the rest and sitting out for over a year waiting for a shot. In what way is he "leagues above" the rest of the division?

And then finally we have Charles who was actually the active, defending champion and thus has a completely valid reason to not be gatekeeping against up and comers. However, to no one's surprise, his schedule has been clogged up fighting the usual suspects (including 2 wins over Chandler, oo la la) further adding to the monotony of the division. While it's great that Charles is active and is clearly willing to fight anyone, I am hoping that he will actually give some new faces a chance now that he's lost 2 title fights convincingly and is in his late 30s. He's not an offender right now... but if we see Charles vs Gaethje 2 booked next, he'll quickly join the ranks.

So yeah I call BS on your "the old lions keep on fending off the new lions" theory. The LW division keeps recycling the same names because the UFC has been incredibly desperate for star power since Khabib/Conor retired and they did everything in their power to try and get either Poirier/Gaethje to get a belt.

The marketing has clearly worked on you but objectively, these guys (except Arman) are all several years removed from a significant win streak and are just cherry picking "low risk" fights against each other while preventing ANY opportunity for someone new to climb the ranks. How are new prospects going to get credibility when they don't even get the chance to fight name opponents? That's how WW ended up in the state its in with Shavkat being anchored by a win over a 40 year old Wonderboy Thompson... rank squatters are ruining the sport and I'll be glad when Poirier is gone for good

 

[FreddieRoachsVoice]

It's crazy to see people complaining about Dustin and Max as if they're not two of the best fighters in the history of MMA, and/or blaming them for holding back other fighters in their divisions.

"Bro, get out of the way so the fighter I'm hugging nuts on right now can get a chance at the title."

Sorry but who is hugging whose nuts when you are in favor of Poirier potentially getting a 4TH TITLE SHOT (6TH if you count BMF) when he hasn't had back to back wins since Conor was on the roster?? LOL

I like Poirier just fine and think he's had a great career but I am not in favor of ANYONE getting that level of favoritism. I wasn't in favor of it when it happened with Urijah (who actually put win streaks together in his defense unlike Poirier) and I'm not in favor of it now.

Poirier is 2-0 against Max, has had 6 REMATCHES in recent years, and both occupy spots in the top 5 (Max in 2 divisions)... forgive me if I think this fight is pointless and that there were better options for both considering how starving for new contenders both FW and LW are.

Max just got KTFO by the 155 champ... Poirier said he's retiring... what is the point of this fight that will surely lay up Max until 2026 and will do nothing for Poirier win or lose?? "Duhhh they will bang bro" great... hope 5 rounds of further CTE is worth stalling the division some more...

 

[Rear Naked Toke]

Sorry but who is hugging whose nuts when you are in favor of Poirier potentially getting a 4TH TITLE SHOT (6TH if you count BMF) when he hasn't had back to back wins since Conor was on the roster?? LOL

I like Poirier just fine and think he's had a great career but I am not in favor of ANYONE getting that level of favoritism. I wasn't in favor of it when it happened with Urijah (who actually put win streaks together in his defense unlike Poirier) and I'm not in favor of it now.

Poirier is 2-0 against Max, has had 6 REMATCHES in recent years, and both occupy spots in the top 5 (Max in 2 divisions)... forgive me if I think this fight is pointless and that there weren't better options for both considering how starving for new contenders both FW and LW are.

Max just got KTFO by the 155 champ... Poirier said he's retiring... what is the point of this fight that will surely lay up Max until 2026 and will do nothing for Poirier win or lose?? "Duhhh they will bang bro" great... hope 5 rounds of further CTE is worth stalling the division some more...

Not gonna lie, I stopped reading after your first paragraph.

I'm not nut hugging anything. I think Dustin vs Max III is entirely pointless and, if anything, that they should both retire after the fight.

Nowhere at all did I say Dustin should get another title shot. I don't think Max should either.

In fact, I don't see how the result of this fight has any influence at all on who Ilia should fight next, or even after that, in any capacity.

I just simply stated that you thinking the result, or nature, of this fight has anything to do with the future of the lightweight division makes no sense.

The only tie I put on the past and the future is that any lightweight fighter that can't beat Dustin or Max has no fucking business fighting for the title.

 

[Rear Naked Toke]

While I would agree with you if the old dogs were avoiding the new dogs, but every time the new dog attempts to get into that top 10 such as BSD, Fiziev, Moicano, Dariush, Gamrot, they get denied by Justin, Dustin, Hooker, Olivera and Armen. Those same guys recycle abit in the top 10 because they're a league above the rest even at their age. Joel Alvarez and Grant Dawson may have a chance however like most of that new wave like Bahamondes, Jalin Turner and Ludovit Klein who were on great streaks and looked promising have recently found out the hard way that that the top 15 isn't as easy as you make it out to be for the 'new talent'.

The problem here is that you're using too much logic.

 

[Poirierfan]

@Poirierfan Hey what's your thoughts on how this fight plays out if it was booked

I don't know man, Other than a well timed shot by Poirier, Ilia ko's Dustin imo. However, Poirier stands a better chance than Justin or Paddy imo just because of his more technical boxing. Anytime a dude has power (such as Dustin) there's always a chance. Then you have to consider Dustin is right handed but fights southpaw, he could maybe catch Topuria with something that Ilia hasn't seen yet, who knows.

 

[SuperAlly]

Punch, punch, kick, kick... KO

 

[rollthedice]

i legitimately can't think of anything dustin brings to the table that ilia hasn't run through a better version of.

Who is a better boxer than Poirier that Illia has fought? Don't say Volk, Max or Emmett please