News Islam Makhachev has started training camp for his next fight

[gentel]

Loser or winner gets paddy?

Imo it should be Tsarukyan-Gaethje for the immediate TS, Paddy-Oliveira for second TS

 

[Kevster]

After all the dismissive whinging he might end up bending the knee, be mildly amusing.

 

[andgonsil]

Toppy smokes Islam

 

[Kal-El]

It's a strange argument when both of those featherweights would beat any lightweight. The Volkanovski that fought Islam would have beat any lightweight bar Islam, past or present in that first fight.

Nonsense. Volk loses to all in the top 5. Still an achievement to potentially beat some in the top 10.

 

[RockyLockridge]

You sure you won't find a reason not to? I think you will.

I wasn't being asked by anyone, me saying that was a completely unsolicitated response, if I didn't want to give islam the credit for the 2 great wins (that he doesn't have) then I'd have not given that unsolicitated response.

If islam did something like that, It'd be undeniable. everything else he'd done so far? Very easily deniable. Moicano a joke fight, Second volk fight a cherry pick, porier; not a deserving contender. his best win is still the first volk fight and the way the fight played out was far less than a convincing win.

Illa is a true generational talent, And armen is the best LW of this past 5 years outside of (or maybe including) Islam, which is why islam doesn't want to fight him (never said wont fight him, said he doesn't want to) If islam fought Volk, Then Gamrot, Then instead of waiting for all his contenders to be booked and fighting Porier, had he fought gaethje charles or armen at that time instead then even moicano (not his fault) I'd be giving him more credit than I currently give him.

 

[Joinho10]

I wouldn't read too much into this. The source works for Topurias company. Yes, Islam has been training but that was for the opening of Khabib's new training facility. There's no real indication he's begun a training camp for an opponent.

 

[muaythaibeast]

Nonsense. Volk loses to all in the top 5. Still an achievement to potentially beat some in the top 10.

Max walked through Gaejthe. Volk would be dominant against all other than Islam and would be a decent fight against Khabib. He'd maul the likes of Gaejthe, Oliveira and Poirier, and we've already seen what he did with Max, who is a top 3 lightweight.
He took the top lightweight ever to a 50/50 decision, a guy who the rest don't even compete with.

 

[kirsky]

Everyone here who wanted Islam to duck Ilia just let out a high-pitched annoyed groan

Honestly I dont think people wanted that, what most wanted was: Ilia vs serious contender in 155lbs ( when he wins TS). Would have not any issues with Topuria getting immediate TS if he would beat Lopes and Evloev ( coz that would gave him a cause of saying I CONQUERED 145 div and erned my TS in 155). At lest this is what I am thinking, cheers.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Honestly I dont think people wanted that, what most wanted was: Ilia vs serious contender in 155lbs ( when he wins TS). Would have not any issues with Topuria getting immediate TS if he would beat Lopes and Evloev ( coz that would gave him a cause of saying I CONQUERED 145 div and erned my TS in 155). At lest this is what I am thinking, cheers.

No what they wanted was illa vs armen so islam wouldn't have to fight them while he can fight gaethje or charles because they are easier. That's what they wanted, Illa getting the LW title shot isn't ridiculous because he isn't holding up FW to do it. so it's okay. Holding up a weight class to do it when you have evloev and lopes and now murphy knocking at the door would be one thing

 

[kirsky]

No what they wanted was illa vs armen so islam wouldn't have to fight them while he can fight gaethje or charles because they are easier. That's what they wanted, Illa getting the LW title shot isn't ridiculous because he isn't holding up FW to do it. so it's okay. Holding up a weight class to do it when you have evloev and lopes and now murphy knocking at the door would be one thing

I honestly thought Tsurukyan will fight Islam next, but well... I think this is best matchup in 155 we can get now. Does any fight fan picks charles/ gathje over arman vs Islam really?. Maybe I am odd, but Im to old to be fan of this fighter or that one. I am FAN of good fights at my age .

 

[Tweak896]

I dunno, it should be Topuria, but I'm thinking something weird is going on like Islam moving to WW and LW is vacant or something. Islam's sick of fighting FWs and Topuria is only fighting for the belt. Maybe Islam said screw it Belal isn't that great of a friend I'm going to shelve a year of my prime.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Maybe I am odd, but Im to old to be fan of this fighter or that one. I am FAN of good fights at my age .

Same here, and while I think Armen can give islam all he can handle and maybe win, The other 2 gaethje and charles cant as they are products of a bygone era at this point. Illa and Armen are better match ups. I'd not mind if the UFC made Islam vs Armen, and Illa vs Charles I'd prefer that. But if they want to Hang armen out to dry That's their business, I dont agree with it but if that's what they choose, then I only want to see illa vs islam

 

[Joinho10]

No what they wanted was illa vs armen so islam wouldn't have to fight them while he can fight gaethje or charles because they are easier. That's what they wanted, Illa getting the LW title shot isn't ridiculous because he isn't holding up FW to do it. so it's okay. Holding up a weight class to do it when you have evloev and lopes and now murphy knocking at the door would be one thing

I'm not exactly chronically online but from what I can remember, it seemed like most people wanted Islam-Arman with Charles as a solid second choice assuming Dana couldn't get past his grudge against Arman.

 

[kirsky]

Same here, and while I think Armen can give islam all he can handle and maybe win, The other 2 gaethje and charles cant as they are products of a bygone era at this point. Illa and Armen are better match ups. I'd not mind if the UFC made Islam vs Armen, and Illa vs Charles I'd prefer that. But if they want to Hang armen out to dry That's their business, I dont agree with it but if that's what they choose, then I only want to see illa vs islam

Yup, I'd pour you some vodka if I could, cheers bro

 

[Arete9]

oMG it’s really happening !

 

[markys00]

Everyone here who wanted Islam to duck Ilia just let out a high-pitched annoyed groan

So nobody?

 

[richardjohnson]

Everyone here who wanted Islam to duck Ilia just let out a high-pitched annoyed groan

Did they want him to or did they just acknowledge how ridiculous it is to say he’s ducking Ilia by exploring the idea of going up a division to get a second belt?

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

Did they want him to or did they just acknowledge how ridiculous it is to say he’s ducking Ilia by exploring the idea of going up a division to get a second belt?

Shaking in their sandals, they were!

 

[188912345]

Did they want him to or did they just acknowledge how ridiculous it is to say he’s ducking Ilia by exploring the idea of going up a division to get a second belt?

That wasn't the main disagreement.
A lot of Islam fans wanted Islam to defend against another LW, an easier fight, which would be considered ducking.

 

[richardjohnson]

That wasn't the main disagreement.
A lot of Islam fans wanted Islam to defend against another LW, an easier fight, which would be considered ducking.

I assume by easier fight you mean Gaethje, which I’ve seen very little appetite for. I think the only time I’ve seen someone actually advocate for that fight they were only doing so because they know it would send Islam’s critics into an uproar. If you actually think “a lot” of Islam’s fans want to see that fight I don’t know what to tell you because that simply isn’t the case, and the majority of posts on this topic reflect that.