Ilia and Islam... it just doesn't add up

[Qays Stetkevich]

There's no such thing as shutting down the naysayers.

The guy went for a bigger harder opponent, a 15lbs jumb so he could accomplish his dream, and even if he did he will never shut down the naysayers, they will find something to bitch about.

Most of the "naysayers", myself included, just want to see him fight more often and defend his belt more. Same with the JJ "ducking" crew. Just fight semi-reasonably often.

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

Most of the "naysayers", myself included, just want to see him fight more often and defend his belt more. Same with the JJ "ducking" crew. Just fight semi-reasonably often.

Funny how people who aren't 100% impressed with Islam are treated like blasphemous infidels

 

[Qays Stetkevich]

Funny how people who aren't 100% impressed with Islam are treated like blasphemous infidels

Right? That has not gone unnoted.

Also, I was NOT an Islam fan/believer for what a while. . . and then I started turning. The man fights, wins, and fights often. I'm now quite a fan, but honestly there isn't much not to like. And if Ilia had even two more fights/finishes over the last two years, his hype would be twice as big and there would be very, very few naysayers.

 

[sdpdude9]

Funny how people who aren't 100% impressed with Islam are treated like blasphemous infidels

There are valid criticisms but there are also a lot of people that give him zero credit for anything. It goes both ways.

 

[burningspear]

He didnt use anything, shit happens, elephant in the room lol what af bell-end

 

[Oscar Madison]

UFC splitting Aces.

Both Islam and Topuria are good for business on their own.

JDM is a good story but still rising in interest as a first time Champ -- so Ilia gets his own Fight,

and Islam can attempt to win his second Division Title against JDM.

 

[moosaev]

I'll explain this, they only wanted him to lose, they lost faith at the entire 155 division, their only hope is this new guy who's been Knocking legends out.

Then the 170 opportunity came up and they're using the "ducking" narrative to discredit the guy.

You must realize that all you see is emotions at play, not facts, McGregor had lots of fans, and these Russian boys haven't been good news to McGregor or his huge fanbase.

100%. They’re pissed off because they want to gloat like they gloated when Merab beat Umar, and they think Ilia is the guy to do it. The resentment that Khabib’s retirement put in them will last for several generations lol. They will be seething in 2040 when some Dagi that’s still in grade school today doesn’t fight the guy they think will beat him.

 

[markg171]

The fact Islam left the division for a maybe some day possible title shot, that's requires leapfrogging Shavkat and Brady's earned title shots, instead of defending first like he was perfectly capable of in the mean time

Says what we all knew: his team was worried about losing to Ilia so didn't risk it

 

[Rubios]

The fact Islam left the division for a maybe some day possible title shot, that's requires leapfrogging Shavkat and Brady's earned title shots, instead of defending first like he was perfectly capable of in the mean time

Says what we all knew: his team was worried about losing to Ilia so didn't risk it

If Belal had won and Ilia vs Islam were to happen, I had serious Conor-Khabib vibes.

Topuria would keep the thrash-talking fair and wouldn't cross any red lines.
It wouldn't be personal.

But Islam would feel the urge to make a point.

Don't get me wrong: Ilia is the real deal.

But being 1. A pocket boxer 2. As orthodox as it gets (barely changes stance) and 3. Way smaller...

...are three big handicaps to overcome against Islam.

 

[Steve Fox]

In terms of legacy, Topuria is another FW that moved up. The big names Islam fought at LW were Poirier and Oliveira, that's it. Going for a belt in a different division adds to his legacy in a big way, at least, for what he cares about. I don't really like Islam that much by the way. He sounds retarded and doesn't really fight much since becoming champion.

 

[burningspear]

If Belal had won and Ilia vs Islam were to happen, I had serious Conor-Khabib vibes.

Topuria would keep the thrash-talking fair and wouldn't cross any red lines.
It wouldn't be personal.

But Islam would feel the urge to make a point.

Don't get me wrong: Ilia is the real deal.

But being 1. A pocket boxer 2. As orthodox as it gets (barely changes stance) and 3. Way smaller...

...are three big handicaps to overcome against Islam.

oh yeah 3 big handicaps poor ilia doesnt stand a chance, islam only moved up because he knew it would be a squash match

 

[Hassan Mouzine]

I’m amazed that a guy frequently criticized for fighting 145ers and undeserving contenders is now being criticized for not fighting a 145er with a single win at 155. And frequently criticized for being a weight bully but also criticized for moving up in weight. The guy can do no right.

exactly this. even way way before Islam...during Khabibs carreer. Even before Khabib won the title, there were quite a few threads on herte saying that Khabib is not a LW and should go to WW. Even though there were a number of light weights that were bigger than him. Mind you, this was even before he won the title.

Fastforward a decade....Islam is dominating the division with an iron fist, subbing and ko'in everybody from left to right and the same critique is still there. Islam should move up to WW, he is too big for LW and fights only FW opponents. He is doing exactly that and now they are saying that he shouldnt do that.

He should fight Arman (he beat him already and gave him a rematch....in wich arman pulled out last minute)
He should fight Ilia...(even though before they said Islam only beats feather weights).

When Islam beats JDM, there will be new excuses (boring, crotch sniffer, abu dabi advantage bla bla). It doesnt matter. Haters don't dictate history, their whambulance sound will eventualy fade away

 

[Rubios]

oh yeah 3 big handicaps poor ilia doesnt stand a chance, islam only moved up because he knew it would be a squash match

I've said that Ilia can catch Islam. But the odds would be against him.

Conor could've caught Khabib.

 

[burningspear]

I've said that Ilia can catch Islam. But the odds would be against him.

Conor could've caught Khabib.

You cant have been listening too intently, ilia already said he's going to sub islam in front of khabib and even gave khabib the honour of choosing the technique.

 

[Hairrow]

Mouthy twat that will get humbled just like his god mcgregor did.

 

[methrogenn]

It's hilarious that this narrative created by Ariel Helwani is being spewed by Illia fans all over the since the last couple of weeks, 'JDM is coming off a war so why didn't Islam fight Illia & then fight JDM win or lose', this is honestly the stupidest thing I've heard & Helwani has been in the mma world for a decade which only leads me to believe that he's obviously trying to portray that Islam ducked Illia which is what you're seeing literally everywhere from twitter to Reddit to Sherdog.

No one seems to pay attention to JDM & his coach where they have repeatedly said they want to fight again in 4 months because JDM essentially didn't fight for a year due to injury & wants to keep busy now.

Secondly lightweight & welterweight has a 15 lb gap, people like Helwani really expect Makhachev to cut to 155 in June, and go up to Welterweight without bulking potentially in Sep or Oct.

Also this win or lose to Illia get a welterweight title shot narrative by Helwani makes no sense, if Islam fought Illia & lost, he would have gone for a rematch anyway, he deserved it.

Lastly, the notion that Islam is ducking a 5'6 Topuria to go up 15lbs to fight JDM, Shavkat, Brady, Buckley is kinda insane to me, Illia is an easier matchup than all of them.

We have already seen a literal campaign to tarnish Makhachevs achievements at lightweight which is crazy, Makhachev is literally the most accomplished modern champion in the ufc.

 

[jeff7b9]

 

[KO Shotz]

Ilia is to much risk to little reward. I don't blame Islam for stepping up to less risk / more reward.

I used to think this as well, but after seeing how JDM handled Belal JDM isn't gonna be no walk in the park for Islam. It's a very dangerous fight for Islam.