Ilia Topuria is the future of FW

I didn’t really like how flu stricken Mitchell got him down so easily in the first and maintained top control for the remainder of the round. Great skill set though and I hope he does well.
 
Ilia is terrific fighter. I recall reading that he was looking to move up to lightweight for his next fight, which I think is a terrible idea as he isn't the biggest guy, and I hope it's just a pit stop to stay busy. If he stays at Featherweight he's got a shot at legitimizing himself as a top Featherweight along with Evloev in the near future.
 
Look at that gif of him punching Halls lights out from side control with what look to be arm punches, his power is insane for a FW.

Hes like a mini Belfort that can wrestle.

If he can learn to better control his energy by not throwing 100% into every punch then Id probably favor him to beat any FW in the sport right now.

Forgot to put this gem in the OP

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Noraaq said:
Look at that gif of him punching Halls lights out from side control with what look to be arm punches, his power is insane for a FW.

Hes like a mini Belfort that can wrestle.

If he can learn to better control his energy by not throwing 100% into every punch then Id probably favor him to beat any FW in the sport right now.
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That's what I'm saying...good wrestling, insane one punch power...he can also string combos...I'd like to see him vs. Volk at one point...only ?? for me is his gas tank...
 
Considering his unbeaten streak, I say give him the winner of either of those (although he might not be ready just yet) for a title eliminator.

Whenever I watch him fight, I get the impression that he completely disregards his opponent's ability to cause any damage.
As fun as he is to watch, I wouldn't mind see him being a little more cautious in general.

Substance Abuse said:
Ilia is terrific fighter. I recall reading that he was looking to move up to lightweight for his next fight, which I think is a terrible idea as he isn't the biggest guy, and I hope it's just a pit stop to stay busy. If he stays at Featherweight he's got a shot at legitimizing himself as a top Featherweight along with Evloev in the near future.
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Fair point; he might be better off with a few extra pounds and being better hydrated, though.
 
jitzmonkey said:
Considering his unbeaten streak, I say give him the winner of either of those (although he might not be ready just yet) for a title eliminator.

Whenever I watch him fight, I get the impression that he completely disregards his opponent's ability to cause any damage.
As fun as he is to watch, I wouldn't mind see him being a little more cautious in general.



Fair point; he might be better off with a few extra pounds and being better hydrated, though.
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I just think he's far too small. He isn't even a big Featherweight. He's obviously strong and hits hard but the wrestlers at Lightweight would maul him and his punching power might not translate properly. I don't think the few extra pounds is worth it.
 
Substance Abuse said:
Ilia is terrific fighter. I recall reading that he was looking to move up to lightweight for his next fight, which I think is a terrible idea as he isn't the biggest guy, and I hope it's just a pit stop to stay busy. If he stays at Featherweight he's got a shot at legitimizing himself as a top Featherweight along with Evloev in the near future.
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I thought the rumor was he's fighting zombie at 145 which would seem like they are pushing him
 
Substance Abuse said:
I just think he's far too small. He isn't even a big Featherweight. He's obviously strong and hits hard but the wrestlers at Lightweight would maul him and his punching power might not translate properly. I don't think the few extra pounds is worth it.
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You're probably right; especially with his juggernaut approach.
He'd probably walking right into a double from multiple guys.
 
hswrestler said:
I thought the rumor was he's fighting zombie at 145 which would seem like they are pushing him
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I saw that, but then it was refuted by another source. I'm still waiting to see if that gets confirmed. For the record, I hate that fight for KZ. It's a lamb to the slaughter type matchup for a fighter who should be close to retirement.
 
His punching reminds me a bit of Thomas Almeida, but with more power. Hopefully his chin will prove better than Almeida's.
He really commits to his punches and throws them with intention and technique.
 
I hope so, love watching fighter's that bring it the way he does. I do think his style of coming forward so often and throwing with such bad intentions will get him caught at some point
 
Substance Abuse said:
Ilia is terrific fighter. I recall reading that he was looking to move up to lightweight for his next fight, which I think is a terrible idea as he isn't the biggest guy, and I hope it's just a pit stop to stay busy. If he stays at Featherweight he's got a shot at legitimizing himself as a top Featherweight along with Evloev in the near future.
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Not sure where I saw/read it. But it sounded like he was eluding to looking to 155 for his next fight due to having trouble getting regular fights at 145. Can't imagine there's many Fw's lining up to fight him after the thrashing he put on mitchell.
 
It's too bad Kattar is injured. That would have been ideal match making. Ortega would suffice, too, but maybe Ortega is still injured?
 
Absolutely he is. My favourite prospect in all divisions. Absolute monster in all areas, and a showstopper vibe too. Ridiculously marketable fighting style.
 
Agreed, it’s a shame Volk is trying to fight lightweights when he has Yair, Topuria and Allen as contenders.

Needs to beat all 3 for FW GOAT status.
 
MDoza said:
Agreed, it’s a shame Volk is trying to fight lightweights when he has Yair, Topuria and Allen as contenders.

Needs to beat all 3 for FW GOAT status.
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Evloev and Allen I think are better than Topuria until I see reason to think otherwise. Topuria is good though, he needed to best 3/4 to cement FW GOAT status I agree, been saying it.
 
He’s going to put a headshot on zombie and its all over.
 
Substance Abuse said:
Ilia is terrific fighter. I recall reading that he was looking to move up to lightweight for his next fight, which I think is a terrible idea as he isn't the biggest guy, and I hope it's just a pit stop to stay busy. If he stays at Featherweight he's got a shot at legitimizing himself as a top Featherweight along with Evloev in the near future.
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I'm guessing he wants to go up to lightweight to fight Paddy. They have some beef and he wants that fight. Paddy only making him angrier by taunting him about the hand sanitizer.
 
Noraaq said:
Hes like a mini Belfort that can wrestle.
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Vitor Belfort is 1-0 against Anthony Johnson.

I sort of recall that it was extremely difficult for Anthony Johnson to take Vitor down. Anthony was attempting to wrestle Vitor to the ground.

Eventually, Vitor stopped Anthony Johnson. Another reason why I mention that MMA fight is because Anthony failed to make it to the Middleweight Division (which is 171 lb - 185 lb). When Vitor and Anthony signed their contracts, everyone agreed that their MMA fight would be in the Middleweight Division. Anthony entered their MMA fight weighing 197 lb (which isn't even close to 185 lb).

Back when Anthony was still having MMA fights, he wanted to take Daniel Cormier down and it was Anthony that was actually initiating clinches from Wrestling against Cormier. Keep in mind that Daniel Cormier entered tournaments at Summer Olympics for Wrestling.

Rest in peace, Anthony Johnson.
 
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