If Islam and his team are smart (and I think they are), he's the one making the calls

[Rubios]

I'd ask for Gaethje and Ilia vs Arman for next contender*. He was #1 before the BMF KO and would mean a new name to his resume.
Don't do MMath: Max flatlined him and Ilia KOed Max, but JG fought 4 rds with a broken nose and Ilia and Max faced @ 145.

*I'd prefer to lobby for Arman rn and winner of Gaethje vs Ilia next, but probably/sadly this is a dead end with Dana.

And then call it a day and move up to 170. Belal would be north of 37 entering 2026, so it's a matter of father time he loses the belt.

If Belal somehow becomes the oldest fighter not only to win, nor to defend, but to defend at least twice (JDM and Shavkat, I guess) the WW title... well, props to him.
Islam could rematch Charles or whoever is up next as he waits for an eventual new 170 champ. Or just take some time off fighting to move up properly.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

I think they are waiting on Belal vs JDM before committing to a Topuria fight...

 

[fightfan70]

to pick and choose fights is the dagestani way.

you won't see any dagestani fighting down. unless of course they are the champ.

while it sucks for fans, its the smart move by management.

 

[tritestill]

The obvious fight is Ilia, the next obvious is Arman. Landing on Justin Gaethje is wild, but whatever. We've seen worse shots go out.

 

[Rubios]

Islam, already the LW with most defenses, has to think about his legacy. I'm talking years from now.

He has this looming "he defended twice against a former FW". Ilia is hot rn, rightfully, but once the dust settles Volk will stand as a greater FW than him. 2nd to Aldo as for now, with a case for best ever if he gets to win the belt again.

JG is a natural 155er and a future HoF. And a new name to his resume, sure.

Still, I've been clear that if he'd beat Arman he should be next, so...

 

[Rubios]

And if Dana was not a prick, he'd just rebook Islam - Arman.

 

[nonoob]

We'll probably see Volk III, Top is obviously considered too much of a challenge.

 

[agibmxmma]

I think they are waiting on Belal vs JDM before committing to a Topuria fight...

+1

 

[moosaev]

Islam, already the LW with most defenses, has to think about his legacy. I'm talking years from now.

He has this looming "he defended twice against a former FW". Ilia is hot rn, rightfully, but once the dust settles Volk will stand as a greater FW than him. 2nd to Aldo as for now, with a case for best ever if he gets to win the belt again.

JG is a natural 155er and a future HoF. And a new name to his resume, sure.

Still, I've been clear that if he'd beat Arman he should be next, so...

This is what people don’t get, the monster that Ilia is right now will fade away with time. What won’t fade away is the record books. When islam beats Ilia a majority of his title defenses at LW will have been against FWs (3 out of 5). That’s hard to defend, ilia will just go back to being “another FW”. It’s not good for Islam’s career.

 

[jeskola]

Paddy

 

[VinceArch]

Most champions have some input after a few defenses. Logically, Arman is next but missing weight cost him dearly and cost Dana money, so he is still fucked. If it's Oliveira, it's still a rematch and I think Islam smashes Oliveira once more.

 

[jeff7b9]

I think they are waiting on Belal vs JDM before committing to a Topuria fight...

Have Islam or Belal ever declared definitely if they would or wouldn't fight eachother?

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

I think they are waiting on Belal vs JDM before committing to a Topuria fight...

I really hope that's not the case. If Belal loses to JDM, is Belal gonna leave the division? If they go to JDM vs Islam, what does that do for Shavkat, Brady, and wherever Belal lands? WW does not need any more interruptions at this point, and all respect to Islam, but he can afford to fight some LW #1 contenders for once.

 

[gentel]

The obvious fight is Ilia, the next obvious is Arman. Landing on Justin Gaethje is wild, but whatever. We've seen worse shots go out.

No Topuria TS without a top LW win first - 2 FW title wins isn't enough and already 2 out of Islam's 5 title wins are against Volk the FW

 

[Conan the K-9]

He should vacate and call for Kamaru or number one contender fight with Brady, to prove he is a legit WW, so he is worth fighting for the next champ when Bilol loses.

Sitting out or trying to fight Gaethje, who just got KOd by a FW, got choked out in his last two title fights, doesn’t have any recent top wins and should be nowhere close to top five in the rankings, will just be like an invite to clown on his record.

 

[gentel]

Sitting out or trying to fight Gaethje, who just got KOd by a FW, got choked out in his last two title fights, doesn’t have any recent top wins and should be nowhere close to top five in the rankings, will just be like an invite to clown on his record.

Agreed about the Gathje part, I think the best way to handle this is to give Oliveira the title shot

 

[Conan the K-9]

Agreed about the Gathje part, I think the best way to handle this is to give Oliveira the title shot

Yeah, if Arman can’t be rebooked immediately and if they think Ilia needs to prove himself at LW, then the only option is Charles and no one else.

 

[HHJ]

Have Islam or Belal ever declared definitely if they would or wouldn't fight eachother?

No, but the obviously Islam wants this fight more than Belal does, which makes sense. I think Islam would rather fight anyone else for the WW strap, but he wants that shit.

 

[Tweak896]

This is what people don’t get, the monster that Ilia is right now will fade away with time. What won’t fade away is the record books. When islam beats Ilia a majority of his title defenses at LW will have been against FWs (3 out of 5). That’s hard to defend, ilia will just go back to being “another FW”. It’s not good for Islam’s career.

Islam won the title from a former FW, defended 2x against a current FW, defended again against another former FW, and was going to rematch another former FW (Arman fought at FW before), but instead got another former FW (Moicano).

History is going to be brutal to Islam if they want to be. Not his fault everyone basically made FW before. Can't blame fans either because top of LWs is sort of shit.

 

[Lee Danger]

Moicano 2, this time 1 hour notice.