News Islam Makhachev vacates Lightweight title to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the Welterweight Championship, location TBA

[moosaev]

yeah you can....

the harder fight could come with less risk and could have a smaller impact on your career with a loss.

to give a real world example, lots of people say GSP ducked woodley when he fought bisping. At the time, Woodley was viewed as a more legitmate champion. GSP is often cited for picking bisping in particular.

Let’s make it simple, please define your definition of a duck.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Ilia is not that bad. Sure he is so much cock… cocky guy, but other than that he hasn’t done anything bad. This whole bs with Islam vacating his title is on the UFC.
Charles better prove us wrong. I’ll rooting for him.

If Charles ends up winning it's gonna reflect really badly on the UFC that they forced Makhachev to vacate his title.

 

[VinceArch]

Tough first defense for JDM.

 

[that Indian]

No cap I don't know if I would favor any WW in the UFC above Makhachev right now, I think it's 50-50 with Shavkat. Someone like Shamil Musaev would probably wreck him though.

 

[El Fernas]

Uhhhh... that means he already made history. Becoming a double champ brings him closer to overall GOAT. He now also has one of the longest winstreaks in UFC history.

2 division champ*, by the looks of it the UFC wont allow double champions anymore.

I mean, LW Champions minus Khabib who retired at 3, lost the title going for the 4th defense, he vacated to go for a 2nd division belt, if he loses that fight then what? stick around at WW? He will go back down to LW to try and get the belt back, but history was capped at 4th which is only 1 more than the rest of them when he could had gone longer and solidify his name as the LW GOAT, right now he is just mixed with them even with 4 defenses.

 

[JKS]

Should be Arman vs Topuria for belt. Olivera getting a TS off beating Chandler is crazy.

It's not crazy at all and makes complete sense. Olivera already earned a title shot by KO'ing Dariush and was the #1 contender. He got injured and didn't make the fight, so he had to fight again to earn that spot. He got matched up with Arman, went to a split dec. Arman got the shot and pulled out, so now he's in the same scenario Olivera was that he needs to fight again to earn it. Olivera was the rightful top contender after Arman and beating Chandler is just bonus and gets him a W to be coming off a win.

 

[Lee Danger]

this'll end like Jan- Izzy but worse.

 

[pamirec]

If Charles ends up winning it's gonna reflect really badly on the UFC that they forced Makhachev to vacate his title.

There is no doubt they want Ilia to win. They probably think he is the next Conor. Hence forcing Islam to vacate.

 

[Neck&Neck]

Damn I never realized JDM was on such a streak, lost his first 2 bouts, hasn’t lost since
9 years unbeaten

 

[Bradillac]

No cap I don't know if I would favor any WW in the UFC above Makhachev right now, I think it's 50-50 with Shavkat. Someone like Shamil Musaev would probably wreck him though.

You don't favor Jack over Islam? Islam struggles with guys half Jack's size, and Jack seems to half the toolset and footwork to keep the fight on the feet for large portions of the fight.

 

[that Indian]

You don't favor Jack over Islam? Islam struggles with guys half Jack's size, and Jack seems to half the toolset and footwork to keep the fight on the feet for large portions of the fight.

Nah, JDM went tooth and nail with Belal and I just believe Islam is a far superior fighter. Based on Belal's own accounts, he would agree with that assessment.

 

[EnthusiastCultivator]

Cleaned division? When?
He has 2 top 5 wins
1.oliveria
2. Old porier
Others are
1. bobby "nobody" green
2.dan hooker (lol)
3.drew dobber
4.moicano yeah yeah yeah

He beat Arman too goofball

 

[Ramon Antonio]

Topuria needs to prove that he's a legit LW first.

Yeah he will do that by becoming the champ there.

 

[KO Shotz]

Even tho I do feel a type a way about Islam vs Ilia not happening, I am very excited about Islam going to 170. This is what will make him better than Khabib if successful.

 

[hbombbisping]

I have no doubt the fight will be in Abu Dhabi in October. The UFC don't care about JDM at all. He is just a stepping stone for Islam and bigger money fights. He will be a tough match up that Islam can't overlook though.

Even tho I do feel a type a way about Islam vs Ilia not happening, I am very excited about Islam going to 170. This is what will make him better than Khabib if successful.

It will make his career better than Khabib but nothing will make him better than Khabib.

 

[188912345]

Nah, JDM went tooth and nail with Belal and I just believe Islam is a far superior fighter. Based on Belal's own accounts, he would agree with that assessment.

No, he outstruck him every round.
Also seemed to land the bigger and more damaging shots.
Could perhaps give Belal round 4.

Ufc showed some bogus-stats with the striking numbers at the end of round 3, I think that's what persuaded the commentators and some fans that it was closer than it was.

 

[KO Shotz]

It will make his career better than Khabib but nothing will make him better than Khabib.

If Islam is successful at 170, when it comes to the 155 GOAT convo, it'll be hard to put Khabib over Islam with Islam doing what Khabib never attempted to do.

 

[GreatSaintGuillotine]

That's gonna be a great fight

 

[hbombbisping]

If Islam is successful at 170, when it comes to the 155 GOAT convo, it'll be hard to put Khabib over Islam with Islam doing what Khabib never attempted to do.

Sure. He can pass Khabib's career accomplishments, but he'll never be as good or as dominant in fighter. Even Islam himself knows this.

 

[Rapa]

He beat Arman too goofball

When arman was 22 years debutant far from prime? Ok monkey