Islam vs Ilia serious question

[markg171]

how tf was he handpicked? he was literally the champion

avoided arman?? LMAOOOO come on man you sound like an absolute idiot

Islam literally said he was only moving up if Jack won. That is the definition of handpicked.

Islam also did avoid Ilia and Arman by not defending against either of them, or anybody, in June like he was perfectly capable of doing and like the UFC wanted. It was 6 months from his 2 minute fight against Moicano in June, and 5 months away from when he fought Jack in November. He chose not to and so was stripped and a vacant title created because he wouldn't defend like he could.

Must suck to be wrong about so much shit. I get it though, Dagestani internet probably runs by goat farts.

 

[El Fernas]

He already beat a FW champion on a huge win streak, considered #1 P4P at the time, then beat him again on short notice...beating a WW champion is more impressive than beating a FW champion, period, sherdog should SHIT on him for beating another "manlet", i can read it, we probably can if we go back looking at old threads suggesting the fight was next hating on him because it was just another FW champion...

Beating a WW is more impressive than beating a FW, fact.

Ilia started his career as a 135er and while hes very dense and thick, 155 is a pretty far leap even for his frame...I feel like Arman is noticeably bigger and maybe an inch or two taller than Ilia. Ilia should never chase Islam up to 170 and to be frank, at 34...Islam should never move back down either. The fight missed us, have Islam face Morales and Ilia face Arman. Life goes on.

Arman is the only LW that is the same height as Topuria, with longer reach (Tappology stats).

I do agree that the fight at 170lbs should not ever happen, but for different reasons, it would be potentially a 3rd belt for Topuria, who won the LW belt off a former champion, aging and 3-3 in his last 6, someone Makhachev beat before, no defenses at LW and goes for a 3rd belt off a guy that isnt really a WW? 155lbs or nothing imo.

 

[LoveMyMMA]

He already beat Arman and it was Arman who fucked up his opportunity for a second fight. Islam is not under any obligation to wait for Arman to not fuck up and be ready.

these islam haters are something else.

apparently he ducked Arman now HAHAHAHAHAHA

dense low IQ individuals that must've forgot that Arman is the one that pulled out on the day of the fight

 

[L0ki]

A win over Ilia would be bigger than JDM.

The jury is still out on how good JDM is.

That said, as fire as Ilia has been, that fight would probably look like any other Islam fight.

 

[icerealm]

its hard unless they do a catch weight islam is walking around 190lbs now
no way hes going back to 155
topuria seem like a strong contender, he outwrestle charles however its still a question mark watching his grappling with bryce mitchell

i think just leave islam at WW he is no longer that young to do that weight cut
arman vs ilia will be good,

 

[pamirec]

Literally nobody is saying Jack isn't a good win.

It's also just obvious he wasn't actually the best WW in the world, was handpicked by Islam for that reason, and Islam clearly avoided Ilia or Arman to fight him instead that's causing people to "downplay" the win.

You telling Arman pulling out last minute didn’t happen?

 

[LoveMyMMA]

He already beat a FW champion on a huge win streak, considered #1 P4P at the time, then beat him again on short notice...beating a WW champion is more impressive than beating a FW champion, period, sherdog should SHIT on him for beating another "manlet", i can read it, we probably can if we go back looking at old threads suggesting the fight was next hating on him because it was just another FW champion...

Beating a WW is more impressive than beating a FW, fact.

100%

Once he destroys Ilia, people will say "oh Islam forced a FW to come all the way up to 170 to fight him"

The wheel of excuses are already set.

Beating Ilia does very little for Islam compared to if he fought guys like Shavkhat, Morales, etc.

 

[El Fernas]

100%

Once he destroys Ilia, people will say "oh Islam forced a FW to come all the way up to 170 to fight him"

The wheel of excuses are already set.

Beating Ilia does very little for Islam compared to if he fought guys like Shavkhat, Morales, etc.

Its all the glory for Topuria only, none of it for Makhachev, if they fight at 155lbs then its something to gain for both of them, even if they will shit some on Makhachev for fighting a former FW.

 

[pamirec]

A win over Ilia would be bigger than JDM.

The jury is still out on how good JDM is.

That said, as fire as Ilia has been, that fight would probably look like any other Islam fight.

You mean Ilia after the Charles fight or Ilia instantly facing Islam?
Either way I’d still pick the JDM win.

 

[Hezekiah]

Ilia would have knocked him out cold.

I think there's a good reason Topuria wants no part of Tsarukyan.

He got tossed around by Oliveira, Machachev would likely rag doll him. He always would have a punchers chance, and at 155 it's more winnable than at 170 where he would get monstered, but Machachev would have to be a sizeable favourite.

To answer OP's question I think beating JDM is more impressive. But to casuals, beating Topuria generates more hype because of the buzz the latter currently has around him.

 

[HHJ]

To answer OP's question I think beating JDM is more impressive. But to casuals, beating Topuria generates more hype because of the buzz the latter currently has around him.

I mean it's very compelling because of Topuria's ability to end the fight at any time. Its the biggest fight you could make.

But the timing didnt favor it unfortunatley

 

[L0ki]

You mean Ilia after the Charles fight or Ilia instantly facing Islam?
Either way I’d still pick the JDM win.

There's no way a win over JDM is bigger than a win over Topuria.

 

[jjjjjjjjjjohnny]

usman will get crucified and ragdolled by islam. where's colby?

 

[LoveMyMMA]

Also if Gary beats Belal in convincing fashion, I think UFC brass will give him the next shot over Morales and Carlos.

 

[HNIC215]

 

[smalliebiggs]

no. beating up a midget (even one with retard power) is not as impressive as beating up a grown man

 

[pamirec]

There's no way a win over JDM is bigger than a win over Topuria.

For Ilia’s the shit, but wait till he loses. It’ll be the same old “was never that good” shit.

 

[xhaydenx]

I think there's a good reason Topuria wants know no part of Tsarukyan.

He got tossed around by Oliveira, Machachev would likely rag doll him. He always would have a punchers chance, and at 155 it's more winnable than at 170 where he would get monstered, but Machachev would have to be a sizeable favourite.

To answer OP's question I think beating JDM is more impressive. But to casuals, beating Topuria generates more hype because of the buzz the latter currently has around him.

Wants no part of Arman but has been calling out Islam since back at FW. That makes no sense, brother. You know this.

He didn't get tossed around by Oli either haha. Oli went for a td. Ilia easily stuffed it. Oli held him against the cage for like 15 seconds, couldn't do anything. Then he went for another takedown and Topuria just big dog reversed him and made it his own takedown. Then Topuria passed his guard like it wasn't even there and was in a crucifix 2 seconds later. Then Charles went for the leg lock, which Topuria easily defended. That's all the grappling in the entire fight. Then it was back on the feet for the KO.

Topuria did the tossing, lad. It's not even debatable haha.

 

[HHJ]

Also if Gary beats Belal in convincing fashion, I think UFC brass will give him the next shot over Morales and Carlos.

They def high on Gary.

Prates Gary rematch somewhere down the line if they can keep it up would be $$$

 

[Hezekiah]

Also if Gary beats Belal in convincing fashion, I think UFC brass will give him the next shot over Morales and Carlos.

And rightly so. Beating Prates and Belal (former champ, coming off a single loss) is better than beating Burns (coming off three losses), and Brady, or Neal and Edwards (coming off two losses).