It would be the amazingest, but Ilia vs Islam won't happen. 15lbs are the reason.

[Rubios]

So Islam was killing himself to make 155.
Just after the weight-in vs Moicano he got caught saying "this is the last time, please" to his team.

But now he's moving up to 170 to bounce back 15 pounds lighter.
Not gonna happen.

Ilia is smart, he is not fighting at WW either.

 

[Conan the K-9]

That’s why it needs to happen at Abudhabiweight, both allowed to cheat on the scale.

 

[RockyLockridge]

best to let this one go. I've accepted that it's not happening and I've moved on

 

[sdpdude9]

I actually don’t think the UFC is keen on the match up. They’re two of their biggest names in the sport right now in a time where there’s not a lot of stars. They don’t want either to lose some shine.

 

[Skarsgard]

I honestly don't get the intrigue in the matchup to begin with. Let Ilia build a legacy before we start putting him on a pedestal.

 

[RichardHarrow]

I actually don’t think the UFC is keen on the match up. They’re two of their biggest names in the sport right now in a time where there’s not a lot of stars. They don’t want either to lose some shine.

It’s the fight they want to make down the line.

 

[188912345]

I honestly don't get the intrigue in the matchup to begin with. Let Ilia build a legacy before we start putting him on a pedestal.

I think Ilia already has built a fantastic legacy, given the quality and manner of his title wins.

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

I honestly don't get the intrigue in the matchup to begin with. Let Ilia build a legacy before we start putting him on a pedestal.

Islam could've been part of said legacy, but he didn't want it

 

[JKS]

It can happen cause Ilia is crazy enough to chase after him and go to WW despite the weight difference

 

[JKS]

Islam could've been part of said legacy, but he didn't want it

Did nothing for him

 

[Skarsgard]

I think Ilia already has built a fantastic legacy, given the quality and manner of his title wins.

I think he has a good start. There are asterisks with each win, but we could play that game with every champion.

Islam could've been part of said legacy, but he didn't want it

I don't like Islam either, but what would he gain by beating another featherweight when he could go up and fight welterweights? If he beat Ilia, we would all be talking shit for not challenging himself against bigger fighters.

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

I don't like Islam either, but what would he gain by beating another featherweight when he could go up and fight welterweights? If he beat Ilia, we would all be talking shit for not challenging himself against bigger fighters.

What do those welterweights have to gain by (potentially) beating a lightweight?

 

[Rubios]

Agree. Don't be prisoners of the moment.

1. If Islam gave Ilia the LW title shot and he won, he'd have 5 defenses. 3 of them against FWs moving up -Volk #2 on short notice-, another one against Moicano.

2. An immediate title shot was not the most likely scenario. No fighter besides Conor has been granted a TS in the upper weight class after 1 single defense, even taking into account he KOed/TKOed Volk and Max back to back.
The talking was about some kind of Ilia vs Oliveira vs Arman vs JG (match them as you want) with the winners fighting for a TS.
That's a lot of waiting.
And maybe Islam didn't thought Ilia could beat Arman.

All we know, by his team, was that once he vacated they felt Tsarukyan #2 -after a full camp and not being a prospect but the 1st contender- was the only stone left unturned at LW.

NOW Ilia - Islam is the biggest fight the UFC could possibly make. But it was not like this back then.

 

[wrb]

Ilia does not call the shots on Islams career, end of story. Sweeten the pot Ilia,

 

[Girubgez]

best to let this one go. I've accepted that it's not happening and I've moved on

Me too. But how about Usman Nurmagomedov? Every eagle team fan has been talking about Islam passing him LW throne. Not anymore lol

 

[The XL]

It's not happening because Islam doesn't want to fight Ilia. People can try and spin it or justify it however they want, but this is the reason

 

[pankrat]

I think he has a good start. There are asterisks with each win, but we could play that game with every champion.

I don't like Islam either, but what would he gain by beating another featherweight when he could go up and fight welterweights? If he beat Ilia, we would all be talking shit for not challenging himself against bigger fighters.

Topuria will chase Islam to HW if needed. Islam wont avoid the #1 p4p and biggest money fight because of any potential shit talk by morons in forums

 

[cmw43]

It’s the fight they want to make down the line.

I think Islam retires if he beats JDM.

 

[richardjohnson]

Watching Islam haters seethe is the most entertaining part of coming to this forum

 

[RockyLockridge]

Me too. But how about Usman Nurmagomedov? Every eagle team fan has been talking about Islam passing him LW throne. Not anymore lol

It's more likely imo