Is defending the belt once against 6-4 opponent enough to fight for the belt in the next weight class?

[gentel]

You think Evloev's wrestling could beat Ilia?

I'd give him better chances than anyone else at FW, it'd be a lot harder to land knockout boxing shots against that wrestling threat and we saw him do well grappling against Aljo

 

[KO Shotz]

I'd give him better chances than anyone else at FW, it'd be a lot harder to land knockout boxing shots against that wrestling threat and we saw him do well grappling against Aljo

Imo Ilia made beating Volk look like lightwork. & nobody in that division is close to the level of Volk's.

 

[nostradumbass]

It was really a right place, right time to become the new hype train recipient by beating guys who had great careers but are on the decline. Max had 4 losses in the previous 5 years and had just been dropped in his previous fight, and Volk lost 2 of his previous 3 and just had his head kicked into the 3rd row a few months earlier.

Before that was 38 year old Josh Emmett who just got finished in his previous fight, and now it's almost 36 year old Oliveira' who's lost 2 of his last 4, and no interest in guys who are in their prime like undefeated Evloev at FW or 9-1 Arman at LW.

 

[cburm]

I can't think of any other champion that beat a division's veteran (6-5 rn) as his sole title defense to earn a title shot at the next weight class.

I predict a gloomy future for Illia at LW anyways, 155lbs belongs to Tsarukyan imo.

Even with Islam gone, the vacant title fight should be between Arman and Charles

Topuria should fight Justin or Dustin first.

He beat the hardest people in his division and while going undefeated at 16-0.. both finishes also.. which I'm sorry is better than Islams career.. and his 3 defences

 

[Pious Augustus]

He beat the hardest people in his division and while going undefeated at 16-0.. both finishes also.. which I'm sorry is better than Islams career.. and his 3 defences

He beat Volk coming off a KO loss to Islam, and a guy who lost to Volk 3 times, Lost to Poirier, and was 6-4 in His last 10

Islam beat Volk twice, Beat Charles Oliveira, Beat Poirier.

I think prime Charles on 11 wins streak is a way better win than a battle worn Max.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

It was really a right place, right time to become the new hype train recipient by beating guys who had great careers but are on the decline. Max had 4 losses in the previous 5 years and had just been dropped in his previous fight, and Volk lost 2 of his previous 3 and just had his head kicked into the 3rd row a few months earlier.

Before that was 38 year old Josh Emmett who just got finished in his previous fight, and now it's almost 36 year old Oliveira' who's lost 2 of his last 4, and no interest in guys who are in their prime like undefeated Evloev at FW or 9-1 Arman at LW.

Their losses came to the best fighters in the world. You're making it seem like they were washed up. 3/4 of Max's losses are to Volk himself...his only losses at FW in the last 10 years. The fight you're referencing where Max was barely knocked down was the same fight he destroyed a contender in another weight class for god sakes.

Imagine the day after UFC 300 someone made a thread saying how Max is clearly past it and how unbelievably stupid they would look.

Maybe, just maybe, Topuria is really good? Like, the evidence is pretty clearly pointing in that direciton. "Yeah, but this guy lost here, and lost there" - oh ok, lets' throw any semblance of context out the window.

 

[nostradumbass]

Their losses came to the best fighters in the world. You're making it seem like they were washed up. 3/4 of Max's losses are to Volk himself...his only losses at FW in the last 10 years. The fight you're referencing where Max was barely knocked down was the same fight he destroyed a contender in another weight class for god sakes.

Imagine the day after UFC 300 someone made a thread saying how Max is clearly past it and how unbelievably stupid they would look.

Maybe, just maybe, Topuria is really good? Like, the evidence is pretty clearly pointing in that direciton. "Yeah, but this guy lost here, and lost there" - oh ok, lets' throw any semblance of context out the window.

Do you think Max, Volk, Emmett, and Charles are in their primes?

 

[Lee Danger]

Sometimes UFC just gives out title shots like Candy.

Stipe got KOd, retired for nearly four years then got handed a title shot.

bad example, he's called back because they were sure he'd have lose.