Ilia VS Dustin is next

[TheBulge]

That makes absolutely no sense and would be retarded matchmaking.

Which makes perfect sense that OP, being who he is, would come up with this kind of match making.

 

[Thesnake101]

Your definition of legend has a low bar.

Not taking anything away over his wins over Volk and Holloway. Add a few more of those type of victories and title defenses, then you call him a legend.

I'm sorry, we'll have to disagree. He is not a legend, at this point in his career.

Isn't he the first Georgian to win a UFC belt? That alone makes him a legend if you and HOF shoo-in considering Bisping got in for being a brit.

Imo he's already accomplished enough to be called a Legend, even if he crashes and burns against Islam it's hard to not see him stick around the lower end of the top 5 at either LW or FW for the rest of his career.

And if we compare his accomplishments to Dustin, the guy calling for a "Legend" fight, he's surpassed him by virtue of winning and defending the undisputed belt.

 

[moosaev]

They would have already announced that if that was the plan, trust me they are not happy he just dropped the title like that, they will not give him a gift right after.

Not necessarily. They could still be working out the details.

 

[Tnellie30]

Isn't he the first Georgian to win a UFC belt? That alone makes him a legend if you and HOF shoo-in considering Bisping got in for being a brit.

Imo he's already accomplished enough to be called a Legend, even if he crashes and burns against Islam it's hard to not see him stick around the lower end of the top 5 at either LW or FW for the rest of his career.

And if we compare his accomplishments to Dustin, the guy calling for a "Legend" fight, he's surpassed him by virtue of winning and defending the undisputed belt.

I get it, you like him and think he is a legend. I'm not mad at you, and your opinion is still welcomed.

DP has fought in the UFC, 31 times (2011). Ilia has fought 8 times (2020). His time in the sport and contributions to it pales in comparison to Dustin's and other rightfully dubbed "legends of the sport".

If you think he qualifies as a legend, great. I think objectively, however, he doesn't.

 

[Tnellie30]

Isn't he the first Georgian to win a UFC belt? That alone makes him a legend if you and HOF shoo-in considering Bisping got in for being a brit.

Imo he's already accomplished enough to be called a Legend, even if he crashes and burns against Islam it's hard to not see him stick around the lower end of the top 5 at either LW or FW for the rest of his career.

And if we compare his accomplishments to Dustin, the guy calling for a "Legend" fight, he's surpassed him by virtue of winning and defending the undisputed belt.

I do acknowledge your valid points about being a Georgian/Spanish champion and bringing attention to the sport in that part of the world...as well as winning and defending the undisputed belt. Those are valid accomplishments.

I just believe he needs more longevity and more appearances before he is thrust into the legend category. That title has to be reserved for actual legends. Every cool thing in life isn't "epic". Every great fighter isn't a "legend". He is on his way, IMO.

 

[Sean Rhino]

Most people think it’ll be ilia vs islam.

They would have already announced that if that was the plan, trust me they are not happy he just dropped the title like that, they will not give him a gift right after.

Yeah, I'm kind of surprised more people aren't talking about that. If Makhachev-Topuria is something they really want to do, why did they take away Topuria's title?

I'm not saying it won't happen, but wouldn't it be logical for the UFC to promote a champion-versus-champion matchup? If Topuria wins, he can just vacate his featherweight title a month later, like McGregor did.

Volkanovski-Lopes could've easily been an interim title matchup, like they did in the past with Aldo-Edgar or Rodriguez-Emmett. They've done that before, why didn’t they do it this time?

Obviously, I'm not sure at all, but I feel like this is a sign that the UFC isn't too happy with Topuria. At the same time, they're not completely throwing him under the bus because that would be bad business.

 

[Pequeño Corey]

Olives is like a gatekeeper, but instead of turning back #10-15 type guys, he knocks off #1contenders. You have to go through him for a TS, unless you’re the FW champ moving up or a wierd last minute replacement.

I say steer Ilia far away from Olives.

I like the Arman matchup better. If Arman wins, he will have redeemed himself for slighting Dana. Ilia wins, he will have “earned” his TS which is what Islam wanted.

Either one represents a fresh match for Islam and a nice notch in his belt.

The wildcard match would be Paddy. But, Paddy would have to beat Chandler convincingly and Arman would have to be willing to wait. This seems unlikely, but there’s heat there and the pre fight antics would be very entertaining. I’m also not sure this would satisfy Islam’s criteria of “earning” it.

 

[volodya]

Why the hell would anyone sign to fight that goof Arman after his latest antics? LMAO

 

[Rektkid]

Where does that leave Charles and Arman and, in the immediate future, Islam? I think they should just rebook Islam/Arman, and have a title eliminator fight for Charles/Ilia. They can surely find another "legend" for Dustin to fight.

 

[WOLVERINEKILLS]

I'm cool with anyone in the top 10 that isn't Dustin. If it wasn't Dustin's retirement fight, I'd be down.

Agreed - if Topuria loses what’s next?

No one for Islam to fight in July. Unless Dustin sticks around to fight Islam again which I would be good with.