Ilia vs JG makes sense* (see post), but it could backfire the UFC badly

Rubios

Rubios

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Here in Spain is taken as a foregone conclusion more than a rumored fight.

JG deserves it. It's a non interesting fight.
They are not mutually exclusive.

And many/all MMA local journalists have hinted that they -Ilia and his team- know very well that age is a huge factor, but at the same time these scalps still look great in Ilia's resume.
Again: they are smart.

Now, just for a sec and because "it's MMA and anything can happen" (well, and because it's MF Justin, not me, facing Ilia) that Gaethje somehow wins.
LW would get so, so messed up.
 
Gaethje wins because Ilia is small and hasn't fought a real power striker of this size. He hasn't fought anyone that will throw caution to the wind.
 
How does JG crying his way to a title fight make any sense? He’s had three and gotten slept in all of them.


Does a decision over a 5 day notice Fiziev give him priority?


This is just an uninspired quick money grab by the UFC if true.
 
i don't like this matchup.

Would much rather have seen arman or paddy. Arman hasn't fought now in 17 months. I believe the guy will own LW simply because he is training with Khamzat. No way UFC puts paddy against arman as their cash cow will be gone.

I guess the UFC is waiting for ilia to forfeit the belt and do some bs like holloway vs paddy for the belt
 
Fact Checker said:
How does JG crying his way to a title fight make any sense? He’s had three and gotten slept in all of them.


Does a decision over a 5 day notice Fiziev give him priority?


This is just an uninspired quick money grab by the UFC if true.
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Couldn't agree more. Gay chee - the guy that literally gets KOd or almost KOd in nearly every fight is the title challenger.

Don't get me wrong I like JG, but for crying out loud he's almost 40yo. Maybe if he was a HW, where power is the last to go as you get older, but the lighter weightclasses have much more emphasis on speed and reflexes, this is why you don't see many guys over 35 still competitive in the lighter classes.

This is really dumb if true. What a coward Illia is. He's the new era McGregor. Hand picking fights over has-beens.

For crying out loud Paddy is a more interesting fight than this. JG will stand and bang and get KOd. Big surprise there.

After JG, what's next Toppy? Does Michael Chandler get a shot then? How about Tony Ferguson?
 
RockyLockridge said:
It's every bit as interesting as islam vs poirer, I dont remember so much talk about that.
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RockyLockridge said:
Lmfao x 1000

but on the real he DESERVES the opportunity to get brutally slept by topuria. his entire career of amazing wars, knock outs, performances bonus and unforgettable moments has earned his incredibly prestigious right.
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Honestly, yes. I'm not mad with it at all. Justin gets to go out on his shield spectacularly, hopefully following a war. The only people really complaining are Arman fans.

Justin is at the tail end anyway, what's a better way for him to go? Sleepily grappled by Arman? Split decision with Gamrot?

If Arman had taken a fight in the last 18 months, he would have a rock solid undeniable title shot.
Since he missed his chance by consuming copious amounts of pasta, there's been a vacancy and a fight for the vacant title.
Arman declined his tune up fight with Gamrot which they were giving him to have a grappling match with a low chance of damage to get him in the cage with Ilia later in the year, but Arman is pigheaded.
 
Arman, Max, Paddy, & Hooker all deserve it more than crybaby Gaethje.

I remember Dana basically saying if JG was talking about retirement or title shot then he should probably retire. I reeeeally hope Dana sticks to his guns on this one.

But I know him and Ilia dont want the Arman fight, and Dana doesn't want either Ilia or Paddy to lose anytime soon.
 
WoozyFailGuy said:
Honestly, yes. I'm not mad with it at all. Justin gets to go out on his shield spectacularly, hopefully following a war. The only people really complaining are Arman fans.

Justin is at the tail end anyway, what's a better way for him to go? Sleepily grappled by Arman? Split decision with Gamrot?

If Arman had taken a fight in the last 18 months, he would have a rock solid undeniable title shot.
Since he missed his chance by consuming copious amounts of pasta, there's been a vacancy and a fight for the vacant title.
Arman declined his tune up fight with Gamrot which they were giving him to have a grappling match with a low chance of damage to get him in the cage with Ilia later in the year, but Arman is pigheaded.
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Justin isn’t the fighter he once was. I wouldn’t be upset about him getting the shot, but I wouldn’t be excited about it either. Ilia is too technical for him, and it would just stack up brain damage before Justin retires. I want to see him go out with a more winnable fight.
 
MadTitan said:
Justin isn’t the fighter he once was. I wouldn’t be upset about him getting the shot, but I wouldn’t be excited about it either. Ilia is too technical for him, and it would just stack up brain damage before Justin retires. I want to see him go out with a more winnable fight.
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That's fair, and as a Justin fan I wouldn't hate him going out in a winnable fight against...
HOOKER_DAN_L_08-17.png

Hooker would be a fun fight for Justin. Honestly, hard to believe we haven't had this one yet. It was cancelled for 313, but I still want to see it.

But if Justin wants to go out on his shield against Topuria in a fight where he knows there's 80% chance he's slumped, I'm not going to deny the man his brain damage dream.
 
Not seeing an angle where this backfires on anyone. Gaethje isn't Belal. The worst scenario for the UFC is Arman beating Ilia.
 
UFC must have made certain promises to Justin for him to agree to his BMF fight with Max at UFC 300.
 
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